Sportswear Synonyms: What Else Can You Call It?
Jun, 2 2025
Ever find yourself calling everything you wear to the gym "sportswear"? You’re not alone. But even though "sportswear" is a go-to word, there’s a bunch of other terms people use that mean pretty much the same thing—some more specific, some just trendier.
For starters, you’ll probably hear "activewear" a lot, especially when you’re shopping online or scrolling through fitness influencers’ posts. Then there’s "athletic clothing," "gym wear," "workout gear," and even "exercise clothes." They all get tossed around, but each one has a slightly different vibe. Knowing the difference can actually be kinda useful if you want to sound on point, especially if you’re talking style or shopping with friends.
- Common Synonyms for Sportswear
- When to Use Each Term
- How Fashion Trends Change the Language
- Quick Tips for Talking About Sportswear
Common Synonyms for Sportswear
People throw the word sportswear around a lot, but brands and shoppers actually use several other names for the same stuff. The most common term these days is "activewear." You'll see that everywhere, from online shops to billboards with fitness models. It's pretty much a catch-all for anything you’d put on for yoga, a quick jog, or even running errands after your workout.
"Athletic apparel" is another big one, and it's used by bigger brands like Nike and Adidas in product pages or in-store. It tends to sound a bit more polished, sometimes meant for pro athletes and serious gym-goers, but honestly, almost everyone uses it.
Other popular synonyms include:
- Gym wear – This one's super casual and usually means stuff you'd actually wear at the gym. Think tank tops, shorts, and leggings.
- Workout clothes – A simple, no-nonsense way to talk about tees, joggers, or sweats that can handle sweat and stretching.
- Training gear – You’ll hear this more in sports circles or among personal trainers. It includes anything you'd wear for a physical training session, like compression shirts or performance socks.
- Exercise clothing – Used in product tags and health magazines. Straightforward and usually about function over fashion.
Here’s an at-a-glance look at how often these terms pop up online and why they’re used:
| Term | Where You See It | What It Usually Refers To |
|---|---|---|
| Activewear | Online retailers, marketing | Casual, all-day gym-to-street styles |
| Athletic Apparel | Brand websites, major stores | Performance-oriented clothes |
| Gym Wear | Fitness communities, gym ads | Classic gym outfits |
| Workout Clothes | Everyday convo, fitness blogs | Mixed-use, sweat-friendly items |
| Training Gear | Sports teams, coaches | Technical, supportive gear |
| Exercise Clothing | Health articles, guides | Functional, simple apparel |
These words might sound similar, but sometimes picking the right one helps with shopping or just sounding more in-the-know. Plus, if you’re searching online, using different synonyms can pull up more results—or the deals the big-name brands don’t want you to see right away.
When to Use Each Term
It actually makes a difference which word you pick when talking about what you wear to move, sweat, or just chill. Here's how people usually break it out:
- Sportswear: This is the classic all-round word. You see it everywhere from store signs to athletic brands. It covers anything made for playing sports or exercise—jerseys, running shorts, tracksuits, the whole works.
- Activewear: Use this word when you're talking about clothes that work for the gym but also look good enough for errands or brunch. Brands love it for that "athleisure" vibe. If it's stretchy, breathable, and can pass at both a yoga class and a coffee shop, it's activewear.
- Athletic apparel: This sounds a bit more technical. People throw it around when talking about higher-end or specialized gear—think compression leggings, moisture-wicking shirts, or shoes designed for certain activities. You'll see it in sports stores or fitness catalogs.
- Gym wear or workout gear: These are straight to the point. It’s all about what you throw on mainly to sweat in at the gym or when working out at home. If you only wear it to crush some squats or run a treadmill, call it gym wear.
- Exercise clothes: Super broad and casual. Your old hoodie, the leggings from college, or any tee you’ve sweat in counts here. Good for everyday chat, especially if you're not picky about the brand or style.
Here’s a quick look at where you usually see each term pop up the most:
| Term | Popular Places You’ll See It |
|---|---|
| Sportswear | Sports brands, athletic stores, event uniforms |
| Activewear | Fashion blogs, influencer posts, lifestyle stores |
| Athletic apparel | Sporting goods catalogs, high-tech gear shops |
| Gym wear | Gym locker rooms, fitness classes |
| Exercise clothes | Everyday chat, casual settings |
The takeaway? If you want to sound like you know what’s up, grab the right word for the right scene. If you’re at a yoga studio, "activewear" or "athleisure" makes sense. Talking about a high school soccer game? "Sportswear" has everyone covered. Out shopping for high-performance stuff? "Athletic apparel" is your friend.
How Fashion Trends Change the Language
What’s interesting about sportswear is how the names for it change as trends come and go. About a decade ago, hardly anyone said "athleisure." Now, it’s everywhere—from magazine headlines to TikTok hauls. This word popped up when clothes meant for the gym suddenly became street-style must-haves. Suddenly, leggings and hoodies weren’t just for workout classes—they showed up in cafes, airports, and even at work.
Back in the ‘90s, people called it "athletic apparel," especially in catalogs and at stores like Sports Authority. It sounded a bit more serious back then, probably because big logos and shiny tracksuits were all the rage. As more brands like Lululemon and Gymshark joined the scene, "activewear" took over as the buzzword. That term feels a little fancier, right? It makes you think of stylish fits you might wear for yoga or just running errands—no actual workout required.
And it’s not just words—fashion trends decide what items even count as sportswear. When crop tops and biker shorts exploded on Instagram, they started to fit under the "activewear" label too. Suddenly, even people who’ve never set foot in a gym wanted in on these looks. The language expanded right along with what people wore.
Brands push new terms all the time to make clothes seem fresh. When soccer was booming in the US, “soccer kit” popped up more. With the growth of skate culture, “streetwear” started sliding in as a close cousin to sportswear. It can get confusing, but the upside is you have more options to find the word—or look—that fits you best.
Quick Tips for Talking About Sportswear
Not sure when to use which word? It’s actually pretty simple if you keep a few things in mind. People might use "sportswear" in a general way, but switching it up with other terms can make you sound knowledgeable and even help you find stuff faster when shopping online or chatting with athletes.
- If you’re talking about what to wear to a yoga class or on a run, go with "activewear." That’s what brands use for stretchy leggings, sports bras, and moisture-wicking shirts.
- "Athletic apparel" pops up more in ads, sports brands, or even at stores like Nike and Adidas. It covers everything from high-tech shorts to performance jackets.
- "Gym wear" is great when you mean clothes for weight lifting, cardio, or fitness classes. Mention "workout gear" if you’re talking about accessories too—like gloves or sweatbands.
- When you want to sound up-to-date, "athleisure" is the term for sporty clothes you can actually wear outside the gym, like joggers or hoodies that double for errands.
Here’s a quick rundown of where you’ll find these words most often:
| Term | Where You'll See It | Main Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Sportswear | All-around, department stores | General public |
| Activewear | Fitness brands, social media | Yoga, pilates, gym-goers |
| Athletic apparel | Major sports brands, ads | Athletes, fans |
| Gym wear | Gyms, local sports shops | Fitness lovers |
| Athleisure | Fashion and lifestyle blogs | Anyone, especially 20s-40s |
Pro tip: If you’re shopping online, using specific words like "activewear" or "athleisure" in your search bar pulls up more targeted options. According to an activewear industry survey from 2024, about 70% of shoppers use product-specific keywords when they’re looking for gym clothes rather than the generic "sportswear." So, mixing up your language isn’t just about sounding smart—it actually gets you better results!
Last thing: when talking to friends or trainers, pay attention to the terms they use. Echoing their language makes conversations smoother. Plus, you’ll never waste time explaining what category you’re talking about—everyone’s on the same page from the start.