WHAT TO WEAR TO THE GYM THIS WINTER

By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 1 December 2025

Winter has a way of testing even the most disciplined of us. So if you’ve mustered up the motivation to scale the stairmaster, score a new PB or attend a workout class in this weather, we salute you. And as the days get colder and nights get longer, your activewear needs to adapt – think cosy staples, insulating fabrics and accessories that do the distance. To answer every question you might have, we’ve put together the ultimate guide on what to wear to the gym in winter. Expect thermal trousers, gym zip-up jackets and more winter gym clothes that feel just as good as they look.

SHOULD I WEAR THERMALS TO THE GYM?

At their core, thermals are base layers engineered to insulate and regulate your body temperature in cold weather. While skiwear seemingly has a monopoly on them, they’re by no means exclusive to the slopes. Thermal gym leggings, thermal sports leggings, gym tops and more have evolved into essentials for outdoor trainers and runners alike, so they’re worth adding to your gym outfits in winter. Plus, gym AC has a reputation for being chilly, so throw on a few thermal layers to avoid shivering during your sets.

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS 4505 Ski thermal ribbed fleece back base layer, £30
OYSHO Straight-leg high rise warm trousers in black, £55.99
OYSHO Warm high-rise ankle-length leggings with pockets 70cm in brown, £49.99
ASOS 4505 Ski thermal ribbed fleece back base layer, £28

CAN I WEAR SHORTS TO THE GYM IN WINTER?

With some intentional layering, shorts can be a practical addition to your winter workout clothes rotation. Wearing them alone might be too ambitious for the season, so opt for one of our two favourite routes instead. Route 1: wear slinky form-fitting shorts underneath gym joggers or trousers. This preserves your range of movement, and you can easily shed the joggers once the exercise intensity spikes. Route 2: layer oversized runner or jersey shorts over gym leggings. This combo delivers breathability and ease, plus it’s got some slightly 00s-activewear feels.

GET THE LOOK:
Nike Chill Gym Life Swoosh 4 inch shorts in black, £37.99
Nike Pro Training 365 5 inch legging shorts in navy, £27.99
Nike Phoenix Fleece high waisted oversized cuffed joggers in green, £54.99
Under Armour Rival leggings in black, £32

WHAT ACCESSORIES ARE USEFUL FOR WINTER WORKOUTS?

Accessories shouldn’t be an afterthought when assembling your winter exercise clothes. After all, unless you live mere steps away from your gym, you’ll be tackling the cold in some capacity. So take your mum’s advice and cosy up in winter essentials like scarves, hats and gloves. Many now come in sporty iterations – performance gloves and sweat-wicking headbands, to name a few. Consider swapping out your gym duffel for a padded shoulder bag, which offers an additional layer of insulation over your thermals and outerwear.

GET THE LOOK:
Dare 2b Freestyle beanie in beige, £20
adidas performance Climacool gloves in black, £25
ASOS 4505 Ski faux fur ear muffs in black, £16
OYSHO Padded shopper bag in black, £49.99

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR HOME AFTER A WINTER WORKOUT?

Pictures: ASOS

Over the last few years, social media has turned figure-hugging zipped gym jackets into loungewear, proving just how versatile and comfortable they are. While they’re excellent mid-layers, they’re no match for UK weather on their own. Post-workout, you’ll want to layer a good puffer or technical jacket over your sport clothes for winter. Why? Puffers deliver reliable warmth in super-cold temperatures, while technical styles offer lightweight protection – perfect for when the workout already has you heated.

GET THE LOOK:
OYSHO Light warm jacket in light brown, £49.99
OYSHO 10k waterproof super extra-lightweight long padded jacket, £79.99
4505 Icon sculpting zip up long sleeve jacket in black, £35
New Balance Sport essentials hooded puffer jacket in black, £155