Best Activewear for Perimenopause UK: What to Look For in Midlife Workout Clothes
Discover the best activewear for perimenopause in the UK. Practical advice on fabrics, fit, and features that help manage hot flashes, comfort, and support.
Why Activewear Matters More During Perimenopause
Clothing choice during exercise might seem like a minor detail, but for women managing perimenopause symptoms, what you wear during a workout can significantly affect how comfortable and capable you feel. Hot flashes can occur during or immediately after exercise, raising an already elevated body temperature further. Night sweats may mean you sleep poorly, leaving skin more reactive and sensitive to friction and heat the next day. Choosing activewear with the right fabrics, ventilation, and fit means fewer reasons to avoid exercise, and consistency with movement is one of the most effective tools available for managing perimenopause symptoms overall.
Fabrics That Work With Your Body Temperature
Moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon blends remain the standard for activewear, and they perform well for moderate sweat levels. For perimenopausal women dealing with heat surges, fabrics with added cooling technology, such as those incorporating nylon with open-weave structures or phase-change materials, offer a step up. Merino wool is an underrated choice: it is naturally temperature-regulating, wicks moisture, and resists odour far better than most synthetics, making it excellent for longer workout sessions or warm days. Bamboo-blend activewear has grown in availability in the UK and offers soft texture combined with breathability. Avoid fabrics that trap heat, such as thick cotton jersey, for anything more active than gentle walking.
Fit and Compression
Compression leggings have become a staple of women's activewear, and the graduated compression in quality pairs offers genuine benefits: they support muscles during exercise, improve proprioception, and reduce post-workout soreness. For perimenopausal women experiencing joint sensitivity in the hips and knees, compression can provide a sense of stability during strength and cardio sessions. The waistband is a critical detail: a wide, high-waisted band that sits comfortably without digging in is far more practical for women whose body composition is shifting. Low-cut waistbands that slip during movement or cut across the stomach become much more frustrating when bloating is a variable factor. Look for flat seams throughout to reduce friction.
Tops: Ventilation and Layering
Loose fit tops with mesh panels at the back or underarm allow air movement during indoor exercise, which is particularly helpful for managing heat during a hot flash. Racerback cuts and wide armholes provide the most freedom of movement for strength training and yoga. Short-sleeve or sleeveless styles are worth having for more intense sessions, paired with a lightweight long-sleeve layer that can be easily removed. Some brands now produce tops with built-in cooling strips or evaporative technology. A lightweight zip-up jacket or pullover in a breathable fabric serves the transition period after exercise well, preventing overcooling when stopping suddenly but not trapping heat if a hot flash continues.
UK Brands Worth Knowing
The UK activewear market has expanded significantly in recent years, with several brands catering specifically to midlife women or producing ranges that suit perimenopausal needs well. Sweaty Betty, based in London, offers compression leggings and breathable tops across a wide size range with strong quality control. Adanola produces simple, well-fitting basics at more accessible price points. Girlfriend Collective uses recycled materials and offers an extensive size range with good compression performance. For outdoor and cross-training use, Ronhill and Odlo produce performance base layers and tops with effective moisture management. Marks and Spencer and John Lewis both carry activewear lines that now include size-inclusive options and practical midlife-focused features.
Shorts, Skorts, and Alternatives to Leggings
Not every woman in perimenopause wants to wear leggings for exercise. Shorts with a longer inseam provide modesty and reduce thigh chafing during warmer sessions. Skorts, which combine a skirt exterior with inner shorts, suit those who prefer a less sporty aesthetic for walking or yoga. Wide-leg training trousers in lightweight woven fabrics have become popular alternatives to leggings for strength training, offering freedom of movement without compression. Whatever the style, look for a secure waistband with internal drawcord and pockets, which are essential for carrying a phone or keys when exercising outdoors. A gusset in the crotch seam prevents pulling during lunges, squats, and floor-based movements.
Caring for Activewear to Make It Last
Quality activewear is an investment, and proper care extends its lifespan significantly. Washing at thirty degrees on a gentle cycle preserves elastic fibres and moisture-wicking treatments. Avoid fabric softener, which coats synthetic fibres and reduces their ability to wick sweat. Air drying rather than tumble drying maintains the shape of waistbands and compression panels. Turning garments inside out before washing reduces pilling on the outer surface. Rinsing sweat out promptly after exercise, even just a cold rinse, prevents the breakdown of fabric that prolonged contact with salt and bacteria causes. Storing activewear folded rather than rolled prevents permanent creasing in waistbands. Using PeriPlan to log your workouts consistently will quickly tell you how much use your kit is actually getting and when replacements are due.
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