9 Activewear Brands to Wear Instead of Alo

Photo: Olaben

Olaben

Fabrics nobody else in class has

A Vietnamese brand that designs its fabrics in-house, which is why nothing they make looks like anything else in the studio. Texture is the whole point: one set has a raised, 3D embossed pattern with a flash of yellow, and their baby-blue jacket has that fitted Lululemon Define shape with ribbed stripes running through it.

It ships from overseas, so shipping and duties add up. Going in on one order with friends brings the cost way down.

Photo: CSB

CSB

The Australian brand popping off right now

Rachel Dillon started CSB in Australia because she couldn't find a crop top cute enough to wear out and sturdy enough to lift in. It began with a few crops and grew into full sets. My favorite is the two-tone crop with contrast trim, and the halter sports bra is a rare find: halter tops are everywhere, halter bras are not.

No surprise duties at checkout.

Photo: Mate the Label

Mate the Label

Clean, simple, and not plastic

Clean lines, no loud logos, and it still looks expensive. What sold me is the fabric. Most activewear is made of plastic, and every wash sheds microplastics that don't break down; they've turned up in oceans, drinking water and even human blood, and nobody knows yet what that means for us. Mate's leggings are 92% organic cotton, so they breathe, feel soft, and move well on the reformer.

Prices drop during their sales, so keep an eye out.

TALA

Sustainable & sculpting

UK-based, eco-conscious activewear that constantly goes viral for its insanely sculpting fits. Great compression and shaping for intense jumpboard days, and surprisingly budget-friendly compared to legacy luxury activewear.

Photo: Adanola

Adanola

The premium alternative

The ultimate effortless “cool girl” uniform. My top pick for beating the $150+ price tag of premium sets without losing the luxury feel; a complete matching look comes in around $115. As someone with a smaller chest, I find their sports bra cuts incredibly flattering.

Their site sells out fast, but you can sometimes spot them on Equinox shop floors.

NikeSKIMS

The statement investment

High-performance tech meets sculpting, ballerina-core femininity. The price point is up there, but the designs are unmatched, and the pieces are structured enough that I've styled them for a night out after class.

Sporty & Rich

The “country club chic” aesthetic

Vintage-inspired, elevated athleisure for the days when the workout is only half the event and the post-class matcha run is the other half. Throw a trench over it and you're instantly put-together.

Photo: Varley

Varley

The elevated everyday set

The one I reach for when I want to look like I have my life together. The high-rise leggings stay put through footwork instead of rolling down, and mine have kept their shape wash after wash.

Lucky Honey

The studio essential

Found via a Reddit deep dive for grip socks that don't fall apart. After my expensive pairs lost their stickiness in three washes, I switched to these $16 ones and never looked back. The wrap tops and flowy studio pants are having a moment too.