How Many Sets of Gym Clothes Do You Need?Written by Saad Hajidin · March 10, 2025

Do you need to beef up your exercise wardrobe? It may be time to start thinking about how many gym clothes you need, especially if you like to multipurpose your athleisurewear for other activities. Alternatively, you may already have an overflowing yoga pants drawer that you really should trim down. Either way, discover how to build a sustainable workout wardrobe, how often to wash gym clothes, and tips to make them last.

How Many Gym Outfits Do You Need?

If you exercise regularly, you generally need at least one gym outfit for each training day. Assuming that you do laundry once a week, the recommendations for specific items are as follows:

• Bottoms: Three to five pairs of pants, leggings, or shorts

• Tops: Three to five shirts or tank tops with different sleeve lengths

• Sports Bras: Three to five sports bras with adequate support

• Socks: Five to seven pairs of athletic socks

Keep your workout conditions in mind as you buy gym clothes. For instance, you might only need tank tops and T-shirts if your indoor gym is always warm. If you frequently exercise outdoors or like to wear the same clothes to run errands after working out, you may need a wider selection of long-sleeved shirts, pants, or jackets.

How Many Times Can You Wear Gym Clothes?

Workout intensity makes the biggest impact on how many times you can wear gym clothes before laundry day. Generally speaking, you should wash activewear after each sweaty, high-intensity session. On the other hand, you can usually wear low-intensity workout garments a few times before washing and even for going out after your workout. Just make sure you let the clothes air dry completely between uses.

However, if you have sensitive skin or are prone to conditions like acne or dermatitis, re-wearing unwashed gym clothes can increase your risk of skin irritation or infection.

How Often Should You Throw Away Gym Clothes?

When the wear and tear on your gym outfits starts to impact your performance or comfort, it’s generally time to refresh your wardrobe. For example, you should replace leggings that have become see-through and sports bras that no longer provide enough support. Other signs include persistent odors that don’t go away after washing, reduced elasticity, and visible holes or frayed seams.

Before you throw away your old gym clothes, however, consider other avenues, such as cutting them into cleaning rags or donating them to textile recycling services.

How To Make Your Gym Clothes Last Longer

To make your favorite gym clothes last longer, cycle through your workout wardrobe, dedicating specific outfits to different activities. After wearing, turn garments inside out and wash them with mild detergent, avoiding the dryer whenever possible. Hang or store completely dry items in open shelving or drawers that don’t trap moisture.

Buy your athleticwear with sustainability in mind. Choose high-quality, durable fabrics with reinforced stitching. Apparel made from recycled materials and low-impact dry dyes also tends to last longer due to stricter manufacturing standards.

Find All the Gym Clothes You Need at inPhorm

Upgrade your workout wardrobe with inPhorm’s eco-friendly, high performance activewear. Our thoughtfully designed tops, leggings, and sports bras combine durability, comfort, and timeless style so you can move with confidence, whether at the gym or on the go. Let us be your first and last stop for sustainable athleisurewear and gym clothes that work as hard as you do.