Plus Size Workout Clothes for Walking and Low-Impact Days

Look for fabric that feels soft against your skin, a waistband that stays put without digging, the right length for your height, and pockets. Fit comes first; everything else follows.

• A comfortable waistband. Pull-on elastic waistbands are easy to get on and off and move with you as you walk, bend and stretch.
• Stretch that recovers. A little spandex in a cotton-rich knit lets the fabric move with you and spring back instead of sagging by the end of the walk.
• Your true length. Hems that bunch at the ankle or ride up mid-calf are the most common fit complaint with activewear. Shop petite, petite short or regular rather than rolling a hem.
• Pockets. A phone, a key and a tissue should go with you, not in your hand.
• Easy care. Workout clothes get washed often, so machine-washable pieces that hold their shape and color earn their spot.

Match the inseam to your height instead of hemming or rolling. Catherines cuts bottoms in proportioned lengths, so the hem lands where it should and stays out from under your shoes.

1. Know your height. Petite styles are cut for women about 5'1" to 5'4". Petite Short is more tailored for women 5'0" or under.
2. Check the inseam. On the Smooth Fit Pant, Petite Short is a 25.5" inseam, Petite is 28" and Regular is 30". Compare those numbers to a pair you already love.
3. Think about the style. A legging can sit a little shorter, at or just above the ankle bone. A relaxed pant should graze the top of your shoe without pooling.
4. Test with your walking shoes. Try new pants on with the sneakers you'll actually wear, since sole height changes where the hem falls.

Pockets free your hands. Carrying a phone or keys changes how your arms swing and pulls your attention from the walk, so a secure pocket makes every outing easier.

It's no surprise that pockets come up again and again in our customer reviews. When you shop, check each product's details for pocket placement. A pocket on the side of the thigh tends to hold a phone more steadily than a front hip pocket, and it won't press against your stomach when you sit down after the walk.

Yes. Even at a gentle pace, a bra designed for movement keeps you comfortable and supported, so you can focus on the walk instead of adjusting straps.

Fit is everything here. Shop plus size sport bras by your band and cup size rather than a general size, and look for wide straps that stay put and a band that lies smooth under a fitted tee. If a bra rides up in back or the straps slip, try a different band size before giving up on the style.

Build the outfit from the bottom up: a pull-on pant or legging in your length, a supportive sport bra, a breathable top and a layer you can take off. Then add comfortable shoes.

• Warm days: a legging with a breathable tee or tunic long enough to cover the waistband.
• Cool mornings: a relaxed pull-on pant, a long-sleeve tee and a zip layer to tie at your waist once you warm up.
• Class or studio: a curve-hugging legging that stays put during stretches, with a fitted top that won't fall forward when you bend.
• Walk, then errands: the same pant with a longer tunic on top. Solid neutrals make the switch effortless.

Not sure where to begin? Start with one pant or legging from our plus size activewear bottoms and pair it with tops you already own.

Machine wash, skip the fabric softener on stretch knits and avoid high dryer heat. A little care keeps the stretch springy and the color true.

• Turn leggings and pants inside out before washing to protect the surface of the fabric.
• Wash with similar colors, especially for the first few washes.
• Line dry or tumble on low, since high heat is hard on spandex.
• Rotate two or three pairs so each one gets a rest between walks.