8 Affordable Things I'm Buying to Revamp My Workout Wardrobe

I am one of those people who genuinely love working out (I blame the endorphins), so I'm always on the lookout for stylish workout gear. The kicker? It has to perform, too, or it just won't work for me. I regularly frequent classes ranging from hot yoga to cycling to weight training, and I've found that there are eight key pieces I rely on over and over—my workout wardrobe essentials, if you will.

From the perfect pair of black leggings to the sweats I always throw on post-exercise and pre-brunch, this is the activewear worth stocking up on immediately. The best part is that JoyLab's latest collection at Target has all of my must-haves coming in at under $45, so there's still room in my spring shopping budget to pick up some accessories I've been eyeing. See (and shop!) the eight essential workout pieces below.

1. A STRAPPY SPORTS BRA

I look back on the uncomfortable, unflattering, and overall boring sports bras I used to wear in my high school track days and feel thankful that options like this now exist. A lightweight strappy sports bra works for 90% of my exercise activities, not to mention it's just plain cute (which, let's face it, is a good thing to feel when I'm sweaty and sans makeup).

"But show us the back!" you say. Done and done. The details on both sides of this pretty lavender bra are equally important.

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2. A PAIR OF PERFECT BLACK LEGGINGS

Black leggings are probably the activewear piece I buy the most, simply because I wear them 24/7 (and thus wear them out the most often). My latest obsession is this mid-rise, 7/8-length pair from JoyLab.

The side-panel details on this pair make them unique, but nothing beats that phone pocket. 

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3. A SEAMLESS SET

Let's be real: You'll definitely want both the leggings and the sports bra. Seamless fabric isn't just flattering—it's also super stretchy, making it the perfect thing to wear to yoga for both pro yogis and the headstand-averse.

While a head-to-toe monochromatic look is always chic, I'm personally a fan of mixing colors. Soft pink and cherry red = one of my favorite spring combos, so why not work it into my activewear? I should also mention the nude, pistachio, and cobalt blue colors this seamless outfit comes in because they're equally as awesome.

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4. A COMFY GROUTFIT

By now, you're probably familiar with the term "groutfit," or all-gray outfit, but if you don't own one yet, you're seriously missing out. A groutfit is the perfect look to throw on after stripping away sweaty leggings post-workout (I'm speaking from experience here).

I know I don't need to explain to anyone the comfort level involved in a sweatpants-and–T-shirt outfit, but these cropped joggers and this twist-tie tee are worth talking about.

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5. A '90S-VIBE CROP TOP

Crop tops are to spring as puffer coats are to winter. Translation: They're everywhere. A workout crop top is particularly awesome because it's a two-in-one bra-and-tank combo. Anything to streamline my getting-ready process.

The '90s vibe of this one falls right into one of spring's most exciting trends, so while I love the scalloped leggings and white windbreaker shown here, believe me… I'll be wearing this top with my vintage denim too.

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6. SPRING-FRIENDLY PRINTED LEGGINGS

Craving a little print? A full floral look might feel like a bit much at the gym (but sidenote, if it doesn't, I'm here for it and fully support you). Instead, start out with one piece, like these floral leggings; then keep the rest of the outfit simple.

The muted, watercolor-like flowers in this pair are ideal for those who may be timid about trying patterned leggings (ahem, me!). I also really like that there's black in them, so I can easily pair my other go-to black pieces and know my outfit will look cool rather than crazy.

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7. A CRISP WHITE SWEATSHIRT

A sweatshirt is a workout essential year-round, both for warming up at the beginning of a class (I always leave mine on for the first five minutes), and for wearing to and from the studio.

This white one feels super fresh for the new season, and the zipper and moto-sleeve details are not to be missed. I'd also argue that this sweatshirt looks way more expensive than $30, no?

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8. CUTE CAPRIS

On a cold winter day, I wouldn't dare show even an inch of skin on my ankles (tall socks for the win). Now that warmer days are finally right around the corner, I'll be wearing cropped pants for days, and that goes for my activewear too.

This pair is all about the awesome lace-like details on the ankle. They might just put a little extra pep in your capri-wearing steps (or is that just me?).

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Shop the full JoyLab collection now at Target.