If you’ve ever searched for gym clothes, workout clothes or activewear, you’ve probably noticed how many different terms are used for almost the same thing.
Sportswear. Activewear. Athleisure. Gym wear.
They overlap, but they aren’t quite interchangeable. The difference usually comes down to what the clothing is designed for, how you wear it and how easily it moves between training and everyday life.
Here’s a simple breakdown.
What is sportswear?
Sportswear is the broadest of the three terms.
Traditionally, it refers to clothing designed for a particular sport or physical activity. Think tennis skirts, cycling shorts, football kits or running layers.
Today, sportswear is also used more broadly for clothing inspired by sport and athletic style. That’s why you’ll often see the term used for everything from technical training pieces to casual trainers and sporty everyday outfits.
In short, sportswear is an umbrella term for clothing connected to sport and movement.
What is activewear?
Activewear is designed with physical activity in mind.
This can include leggings, sports bras, shorts, training tops, jackets and other layers made for activities such as strength training, gym workouts, yoga, Pilates, walking and studio sessions.
Depending on the piece, activewear can be designed with features such as:
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Stretch for freedom of movement
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Compression or support
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Sculpting fits
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Breathable or lightweight fabrics
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Secure waistbands
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Practical details for training
At Thrivin, this is where most of our collections sit. Activewear is about clothing that is designed to move with you and support the way you train.
And what exactly is athleisure?
Athleisure is where activewear meets everyday style.
The idea is simple: clothing inspired by or designed for exercise that also works outside your workout.
A pair of leggings worn with an oversized knit. A fitted top styled with jeans or a jacket. A relaxed sweatshirt worn for travelling, errands or coffee after a class.
The focus isn't necessarily on performance. Instead, athleisure is about versatility - pieces that fit naturally into both your active and everyday wardrobe.
At Thrivin, we make sure some of our collection especially Essence sits right for this spot.
So, what’s the difference?
The easiest way to think about it is:
Sportswear → clothing associated with sport and physical activity
Activewear → clothing specifically designed for movement and exercise
Athleisure → activewear or sports-inspired clothing designed to work beyond exercise
There is plenty of overlap. A pair of leggings can be activewear when you wear them to train and athleisure when you style them for the rest of your day.
That’s why the terms are often used interchangeably - especially when shopping online.
What about gym wear?
Gym wear is another term you’ll see everywhere.
Unlike activewear, which covers a wider range of activities, gym wear usually refers specifically to clothing worn for gym-based workouts.
That could mean leggings and a sports bra for strength training, shorts and a training top for a workout, or a supportive layer for a gym session.
So, technically, gym wear sits within the broader activewear category.
All gym wear can be activewear, but not all activewear is gym wear.
For example, a pair of leggings designed for Pilates can be activewear without necessarily being what someone would call gym wear.
Which type of clothing is right for you?
Rather than getting too caught up in the terminology, think about how you actually plan to wear it.
If you’re looking for clothes for training, prioritise the fit, support and performance features that suit your activity.
If you want pieces that can take you from a workout to the rest of your day, look for versatile styles that work both in and outside the gym.
And if you’re building an active wardrobe that covers everything from strength training to slower studio sessions, having different fits for different types of movement can make more sense than expecting one piece to do everything.
Where does Thrivin fit in?
At Thrivin, our focus is activewear designed around movement, performance and how you actually live.
Our Elevate collection is built around a more sculpting, high-compression feel, making it a natural choice for training and higher-intensity workouts. Think supportive leggings, sports bras and performance-led pieces designed to move with you.
Our Essence collection takes a different approach, with a softer, lower-compression feel designed for Pilates, studio sessions, walking, travelling and lower-intensity movement.
Neither is about being better than the other. They’re simply designed for different ways of moving.
And that’s perhaps the most useful way to look at the difference between sportswear, activewear and athleisure too.
The label matters less than the purpose.
What are you doing in it? How do you want it to feel? And will you want to wear it once your workout is over?
That’s where the right activewear makes all the difference.
Train in it. Live in it. Thrive in it.
