The 15 Best Workout Tops for Every Type of Exercise, According to Fitness Experts

Best Overall

lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank Top

View On Lululemon $58

Honestly, it doesn’t get better than this Lululemon Swiftly Tank, which performs just as well during a marathon as it does in yoga class or as a base layer on the ski slopes. The slim fit skims your body without restricting movement in any way, with minimal seams to reduce the potential of chafing, and the mesh construction is lightweight and breathable as your body builds up heat during any workout. If you prefer a cropped silhouette, it also comes in race length (as well as short sleeve and long sleeve versions).

Size: 0 to 20 | Colors: 9 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon, polyester, elastane

Best Budget

Old Navy UltraLite All-Day Rib-Knit Racerback

View On Gap.com

Old Navy’s lightweight ribbed tank checks all the major boxes when it comes to a workout tank: the curved hem hits at the hip for figure-hugging coverage; the soft, breathable fabric stretches with you as you move; and moisture-wicking technology keeps you dry no matter how much you sweat. It’s the kind of top that can pull double-duty at the gym and under a blazer at work.

Size: XS to 4X | Colors: 7 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Polyester, rayon, spandex

Best Splurge

108 Sportif Camille Curve Top

View On 108sportif.com View On Bandier.com

If you’re going to splurge on a workout top, go for something that’s as eye-catching as it is high-performance. This 108 Sportif top has a sweetheart neckline that turns into a single strap around the back. There’s no built-in bra, but it has a fully lined bust and under bust binding for support, and the fabric is hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and thermo-regulating. Plus, it looks great paired with jeans. 

Size: XS to XL | Colors: 2 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Organic bamboo, spandex

Best Size-Inclusive

SuperFitHero Shelf Bra Tank Top

View On Superfithero.com

Whether you’re out for a jog or moving through Pilates poses, you’ll feel super supported by SuperFitHero’s SuperHold fabric, which is equally soft and stretchy (as well as sweat-wicking and quick-drying). The built-in shelf bra features custom-made bra cups, which are removable and invisible, and the tank has a racerback design—with an airy keyhole cutout in the back—for even more support.

Size: L to 7X | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: yes | Material: Polyester, spandex

Best for Big Busts

Beyond Yoga Spacedye Studio Cropped Tank

View On Amazon View On Beyondyoga.com

Beyond Yoga brings their best-selling fabric to a studio tank with a built-in bra, designed for workouts that require medium support (think: yoga, barre, pilates). It looks simple, but little details like the criss-cross back with a keyhole cutout and the cropped length that pairs well with high-waisted bottoms make it a universally appealing choice.

Size: XS to 4X | Colors: 2 | Built-in bra: yes | Material: Polyester, elastane

Best Tank

lululemon Align Waist-length Racerback Tank Top

View On Lululemon

Lululemon is known for their high-quality products and ultra-smooth fabrics, which fit like a second skin. This yoga tank—which shouldn’t just be reserved for asanas—is made from a nearly weightless material that stretches in four directions and still retains its shape. Even better: It’s also available in a hip-length cut for more coverage or a shorter cut with a built-in bra.

Size: 0 to 20 | Colors: 9 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon, Lycra elastane

Best Cropped Tank

ARRIVE GUIDE Crop Top Athletic Shirt

View On Amazon $20

With cap sleeves and a cinched waist, this crop is the kind you want to cozy up in—but it also allows for full range of motion, and uses stretchy, sweat-wicking fabric to take you from daily life to the gym. “It pairs so nicely with high waisted leggings, and it’s also extremely comfortable,” says Stephanie Thomas, an ACE-certified personal trainer. Bonus: “You can wear any bra under it without it being seen.”

Size: XS to XL | Colors: 25 | Built-in bra: no | Material: cotton, spandex

Best Short Sleeve

Athleta Momentum Seamless Sport Length Tee

View On Gap.com

It doesn’t get any more classic than a crisp fitted tee—except Athleta’s is made with odor-controlling yarns to keep it from getting too stinky after HIIT or bootcamp workouts. The hem hits right at the waist, so you don’t have to wear it with high-waisted bottoms (unless you want to!), but if that’s still too short for you, you can opt for the longer length. This is the go-to tee for lifting sessions or throwing on after hot yoga. 

Size: XXS to XL | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon

Best Cropped Short Sleeve

Alo Yoga Crop Finesse Short Sleeve

View On Aloyoga.com View On Shopbop.com $58 View On Bloomingdales

Baby tees are in again, and Alo put an athleisure spin on this one, made from the brand’s “velvety soft fabric.” It’s so comfy you could wear it all day, but it’s also lightweight and breathable enough for most workouts. And even when you’re sweaty, the structured fit will retain its shape. White and black are classic but we love that this also comes in bold highlighter pink and green. 

Size: XS to L | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Performance jersey

Best Long Sleeve

Vuori Daydream Crew

View On Nordstrom $52 View On Vuoriclothing.com View On REI $64

“This long sleeve is so lightweight, it’s perfect for seasonal transition,” says Carrie Hall, a NASM-certified personal trainer—no matter the weather, you’ll be protected with built-in UPF 30+ and a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. “I order in a size up and use it to layer over a tank top for outdoor workouts that get warmer once the blood starts pumping.”

Size: XS to XL | Colors: 6 | Built-in bra: no | Material: polyester, elastane

Best Cropped Long Sleeve

Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 Long Sleeve Crop Top

View On Gymshark.com $38

A long sleeve crop top keeps your arms warm while allowing you to show off your waistline. With a snug, almost compressive fit and figure-contouring details, it will make you feel confident to throw around some weights. And if you start to break a sweat, the moisture-wicking fabric will pull any perspiration from your skin before anyone can tell.

Size: XS to XXL | Colors: 16 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon, elastane

Best Loose-Fitting

Free People Movement Inspire Tee

View On Freepeople.com View On Publiclands.com View On Dick's

Free People reimagines the cotton tee with a boxier, cropped fit. It’s not so cropped you’ll be showing midriff with high-waisted bottoms, but the fabric kind of floats around you, adding the illusion of more coverage. Dropped shoulders up the comfort factor, keeping the raw-edged seams from distracting or chafing you mid-workout. 

Size: XS to XL | Colors: 19 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Cotton

Best with Built-In Bra

CRZ YOGA Tank Top

View On Amazon $28

“This is my favorite built-in bra top—I wear it several times a week for my lifting and running workouts,” says Thomas. It features lightweight, stretchy compression and a seamless ribbed fabric in a racerback design. “I prefer built-in bra tops because they simplify your workout outfit; this one in particular has lasted me over two years and I’ve since bought several colors,” Thomas adds.

Size: XXS to XL | Colors: 22 | Built-in bra: yes | Material: Polyamide, spandex

Best Maternity

GapFit Maternity Breathe Side Shirring T-Shirt

View On Gap.com

Maternity wear doesn’t need to scream “I’m pregnant!,” you know? This simple tee has subtle shirring along the sides to allow for more belly room as you grow. And multiple factors keep you comfortable even as temperatures heat up (in the gym or outside): the breathable jersey knit uses moisture-wicking technology, and flat-locked seams prevent chafing. Win-win.

Size: XS to XXL | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Spandex, lyocell, polyester