Many of us here at Shape used to be cardio queens — we’d spend hours on the elliptical in hopes of gaining the perfect physique — until, that is, we discovered the magic of resistance training. Cardio has its benefits, but doing cardio alone won’t help you increase your bone density or get you that snatched look you’re aiming for — that’s where strength training comes in. Strength training has a myriad of benefits, including increased resting metabolism, reduced body fat percentage, and increased lean muscle mass. But stepping into a crowded weight room as a beginner can be intimidating, especially if you don’t have the right gear.
Luckily, we’ve tapped Shape editors with experience in this section of the gym, including two certified personal trainers, for advice on what gear is essential for a beginner’s weightlifting wardrobe, and why. We found the best shoes, sports bras, leggings, and essential accessories to help you make gains while looking and feeling your best.
The Best Bottoms
Choosing the right leggings, shorts, or joggers for a workout can mean the difference between squatting with confidence and spending your entire lifting session tugging and willing them to stay put. Having tested countless pairs, these are the only ones we recommend for strength training.
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“Honestly, I’m not a legging girlie. Or at least I wasn’t until I put these on. They’re super breathable, so I don’t get overheated when I wear them (unlike other leggings I’ve tried). They’re compressive on the waist but have plenty of stretch in the glutes, so they look great. And the fabric is so soft. However, I’ve found the material does vary by color. I would know…I have 8 pairs.” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
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“These leggings are a game-changer for my workouts. The waistband stays put, no matter how deep I’m squatting, and the seamless design is super comfy. The camo pattern gives me an extra boost of motivation while I’m working out, but the leggings also come in other cute colors and styles. I love that the leggings don’t show sweat and gently compress to accentuate my silhouette.” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape Associate Editorial Director
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“Out of the 15 pairs of shorts in my drawer, these are the very clear winners (yes, that includes Gymshark, lululemon, and Dfyne). They sculpt my glutes and compress my waist better than any other brand; they’re wildly comfortable and breathable; they look as good as new after dozens of washes; and they’re completely opaque, so there’s no stress when I squat.” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
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“If you like the baggy sweatpants look when you lift, these sweatpants are everything. They’re baggy in all the right places (like your glutes, so you have plenty of room to deadlift and squat), incredibly soft, and stand the test of time through multiple washes. Plus, they look super cute with a sports bra or crop top. They’re also perfect for girls who prefer to show less skin in the gym. I own four pairs and I love them all so much!” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
The Best Tops
Whether you’re a girlie who feels most comfortable wearing a sports bra to the gym or you prefer more coverage, choosing a comfy, sweat-wicking, and stretchy top that supports without constricting as you lift is essential. As fitness editors, we’ve tried dozens of sports bras and tops, and while there are many good ones out there, we can’t seem to stop reaching for these picks.
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“There are a lot of dupes of this sports bra across a ton of retailers, but none compare to this one. It’s incredibly soft, doesn’t dig into my armpits or back at all, holds up well in the washing machine, and keeps me supported even during the most intense exercises. It’s also so cute — I can’t tell you how many girls have come up to me in the gym asking where I got it from.” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
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“This sports bra is perfect for the small to medium chested girls. It keeps me locked in, it’s just as soft as any lululemon sports bra I’ve ever owned, and it’s super breathable. It also holds up well in the wash. I have it in white and it still looks brand new after a year of going through the wash.” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
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“This jacket looks good with everything — leggings, shorts, baggy sweatpants, you name it! It keeps me warm in my air-conditioned gym, but it’s still super breathable and sweat-wicking, so I don’t get overheated during my sessions. Most reviews say it runs small, so I ordered up, but the sleeves were still too long. Then I ordered my correct size, and it gave the perfect level of compression that made me feel snatched. I ended up buying two more in different colors. I love it so much!” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
The Best Weightlifting Shoes
What you wear on your feet when you strength train is arguably one of the most important aspects of your weightlifting wardrobe. While you generally want your shoes to have a good amount of cushion for cardio exercises like running, walking, and HIIT, when you weight lift, it’s best to choose a flat sole with minimal cushioning. A flat sole keeps you grounded during lifts and helps you push through the floor, keeping you stable and allowing you to lift with better form.
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“These shoes have transformed the way I weight lift. I used to always have to take off my shoes at the gym to do barbell squats, deadlifts, and hip thrusts, because I felt that my old shoes had too much cushion, which made it hard for me to feel ‘grounded’ during lifts. But not this pair — the minimalist design and flat sole make it easy to keep solid contact with the ground, even when I’m lifting very heavy. This allows me to better engage my muscles while I lift, like my glutes and quads during squats.” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape Associate Editorial Director
The Best Undergarments and Wardrobe Accessories
With all the fanfare around leggings, sports bras, and workout sets, it’s easy to overlook more nuanced garments in a workout wardrobe — like the perfect pair of socks or no-show underwear. But, while not as trendy, these items are equally important and can help you feel more confident and comfortable during a workout.
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“If you wear compression leggings or shorts, having uncomfortable underwear underneath can be a deal breaker. I love these thongs because they’re completely seamless and lay flat under my shorts and leggings. They don’t hold onto moisture, and they don’t move around or bunch up as I lift.” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
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“I recently purchased these socks because the pairs I used to wear for weight lifting were always slipping down and bunching up. These are the perfect length, and I never have to stop and adjust them when lifting, which is hard to find in a pair of socks. I also love that they’re budget-friendly and come in a pack of four pairs.” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape Associate Editorial Director
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“I’ve been using these gloves for years to enhance my grip and keep my hands (relatively) callus-free while weightlifting. I really like the half-glove design because it allows me to fully wrap my fingers around a barbell or dumbbell while reducing the friction on the inside of my fingers and palms. I love that the silicone padding keeps my hands comfortable as I grasp the weights and keeps them from shifting when I’m doing deadlifts, pull-ups, or other high-intensity moves.” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape Associate Editorial Director
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“The ZELUS weighted vest is great for leveling up bodyweight strength training workouts. It fits comfortably over a t-shirt and doesn’t shift around when you’re moving, which makes it easy to (almost) forget you’re even wearing it. The weight is just enough to make exercises more effective without being overwhelming. It’s a simple way to add a little extra challenge to your routine.” —Donna F., Shape product tester
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“I bought these when I had absolutely no idea how to use weightlifting straps, and they were so easy to learn with because there’s no setup process (others require you to feed the strap through a hole, which I found confusing). They work so well for deadlifts, lunges, and even pull-ups when you want to take your arm strength out of the equation and target bigger muscles like your legs and back. They don’t dig into my wrists, they help me feel strong and secure, and they last the test of time. I’ve had mine for five years, and they look pretty beat up by now, but they still get the job done. Also, they’re cheap!” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
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“I really like The Beam because it’s super intuitive — there’s no learning curve, so it’s perfect for beginners to strength training. You can easily target different muscle groups without needing a complicated routine or gym setup. The grip is solid and secure, and the design is actually cute enough to leave out. It’s a simple, effective tool that just works. And you can use it right from your bedroom.” —Donna F., Shape product tester
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“Ok, hear me out — yes, you may feel a little silly filming yourself in the gym at first, but for beginners it’s pretty crucial. If you want to avoid hurting yourself as you progress, you need to see your form, and most of the time, the mirror is either distracting or won’t let you see proper angles of your spine. This tripod is discreet, easy to open and close, and lightweight yet durable. It’ll fit in any gym bag, and the setup process is fast, so you can pop in your phone, hit record, and slip it back into your bag without fumbling around.” —Loren B., ISSA CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape product tester
