My Step Count Has Never Been Higher, All Thanks to This Celebrity-Approved Activewear Brand
When it comes to the world of sport, style isn’t something that typically quantifies someone’s performance. But, when you look at someone like Serena Williams wearing a denim mini skirt at the US Open or Sha’Carri Richardson sprinting around the track in a full set of acrylic nails, you can’t help but pay attention. It’s precisely this reason why I’m keeping a closer eye on the pieces I wear when I’m working out. I’m not an elite athlete, let alone a novice one. (My exercise regimen starts with hot girl walks and ends with bi-weekly reformer Pilates classes.) But should that hinder me from looking considered and, dare I even say, chic when sweating?
Adanola is a viral activewear brand that shares this sentiment exactly. Founded over a decade ago, the Manchester-based label has quickly become one of the biggest go-to spots for sports bras and leggings in the UK for its softer approach to gym gear. Amongst exceptionally comfortable materials that offer both stretch and support, refined cuts that come in a wide range of sizes and a loyal base of celebrity adherents that include Kendall Jenner, you’ll notice Adanola thrives in creating modern silhouettes that are rendered in beautifully tonal shades.
Those who turn to brands like Leset for well-crafted and thoughtfully coloured wardrobe fundamentals and Aeyde for pared-back and intentionally textured footwear will find a kindred spirit in Adanola’s use of pigment. Instead of gaudy or lurid tones you’d typically find activewear offered in, you’ll notice Adanola is set apart by its minimalistic shapes rendered in polished, trend-forward and neutral tones—mocha brown, dark cherry, eden green, graphite grey and slate blue (which has become chic again thanks, in part, to Isabella Rossellini’s scene-stealing role in Conclave). As a proponent of ‘90s fashion, it’s this characteristic that really drew me towards the brand. I’ll say it now, it’s basically The Row of activewear.
I’m not someone who typically finds myself endeared to finicky design elements like multiple zips, cross-body straps or waist-cinching boning, so having a brand that excludes these pieces from its offerings whilst maintaining an air of effortless elegance is really important to me as a consumer. Better still, the mutable palette means I can easily pull together a sophisticated workout outfit without thinking too hard. (Because an hour class is strenuous enough, let alone expending energy styling a look!)
What’s more, these are styles refined enough to wear from a mat class to my monthly brunch catch-up with my girlfriends. The fabric is designed to be moved in, which is great for days when I need to run errands after exercising, but still want to look smoothed and sculpted whilst doing so.
With all these factors in mind, it felt entirely right that I turned to Adanola to replenish my athleisure collection for 2026. But how did the brand live up to the hype? Ahead, I break down the pieces that piqued my interest most, review the brand’s best sellers and share my honest thoughts on whether the brand is worth the price tag. (But as my favourite instructor would tell you, it most certainly is, given how regularly I wear these styles.)
Shop the Best Adanola Pieces of 2026:
1. Ultimate Leggings + Ultimate Short Sleeve Top
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
My Review: Basics are the building blocks of any great ensemble. Once you’ve nailed the fundamentals, anything you layer on top of it will simply sing. When we’re talking about activewear, these flourishes usually consist of a pair of trending trainers and a functional bag like the bumbag-esque Pocket bag from Miu Miu. Still, the point remains.
In terms of the staple styles Adanola offers, you can’t overlook the brand’s Ultimate range. Particularly, the Ultimate Leggings and Ultimate Short Sleeve Top. As the name suggests, these pieces are the superlative style in Adanola’s entire collection and are designed for “doing everything, every day”, as the brand says on its website. Here, I’m pictured wearing both in a size medium. For context, I’m usually a UK 10 and stand at around 5’5” high, so you’ll typically see me cuffing, hemming or folding most trouser hems. Such was the case for these leggings.
Though it’s something I’ve become accustomed to, I want to caveat this for those who typically take their standard size, as I’ve found a few mixed reviews when it comes to leg lengths from my fellow editors who have also tested the brand. And, because Adanola doesn’t have any retail stores, you really are stabbing in the dark when it comes to selecting the correct size, especially since there are three lengths (regular, tall and ⅞) and eight sizes (XXS – XXXL) to choose from. In saying that, they do fit really well through the calf and thigh and also offer a compressing sensation that truly makes you feel more athletic.
As for the top, I didn’t necessarily love the short sleeve as much as the leggings. As someone with a bigger bust, I found the t-shirt to be quite constrictive, which is saying something considering the fabric is designed to be skin-tight. I also found the seam along the shoulder to be cropped at an awkward angle, which led to a really stiff and strained feeling around the top of my bicep. I would’ve enjoyed it more if the tee had been cut more generously, as the fabric did sit quite heavily on top of my skin because of the taut finish.
Shop the Look:
Adanola
Ultimate Short Sleeve Top
Sizes: XXS – XXXL
Colours: 16; including a mix of standard shades like black, dark grey and marshmallow white and seasonal options like dusk pink and teal blue
Material: 70% Polyamide, 30% Elastane
Pros
- Second-skin fit.
- Cropped hemline.
- Soft fabric.
Cons
- Incredibly tight to wear.
- Runs slightly smaller than usual sizes.
Adanola
Ultimate Leggings
Sizes: XXS – XXXL
Colours: 21 shades, including more vibrant options like classic red, berry and ice blue.
Materials: 70% Polyamide, 30% Elastane.
Pros
- Incredibly comfortable to move in.
- Fabric compresses the skin whilst still feeling comfortable.
- Doesn’t roll down whilst exercising.
Cons
- The leg length is quite long and might not suit petite frames.
- The seamless finish means some underwear styles won’t be compatible with.
2. Ultimate Wrap-Over Leggings + Ultimate Square Neck Bra
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
My Review: Another thing I really like about Adanola is that the brand really considers its designs. Instead of boasting superfluous design elements like a built-in holder for your phone, because whoever uses that slip that always appears on the side of leggings anyway, or panels that are designed to add an element of sex appeal where it’s not required, the shapes it puts out are intentional in working with your body’s natural curves and aiding movement.
The Ultimate Wrap-Over Leggings and Square-Neck Sports Bra are perfect examples of this. On the latter, I’m wearing a wrap top over it, as I found the neckline to be a little too risqué for my taste. (Cleavage at a 9 AM gym class is not what I had in mind for my activewear upgrade!) However, I did find the top to still be really supportive, despite my bigger chest size, and still kept my boobs sitting really nicely throughout the duration of a class.
The leggings also boasted this undulating curve, which is great for those who want to display a glint of skin. You’d think this wavy hemline would mean you’d be constantly adjusting throughout your workout, but I never found myself reaching to pull the band up once. Better still, it added an extra layer of support around my tummy, which was great for perfecting my form in tabletop positions.
Shop the Look:
Adanola
Ultimate Square Neck Bra
Sizes: XXS – XXXL
Colours: 9; including the very chic coffee bean shade I’m wearing here. (It does look browner in person than it does on the website.)
Materials: 70% Polyamide, 30% Elastane.
Pros
- Features an elasticated underband
- Designed for both low-to-medium-impact activities
Cons
- Removable cups, which can be a hassle to adjust every time it goes through a wash.
- A true cropped fit, meaning it can ride up a bit under the bust.
Adanola
Ultimate Wrap Over Leggings
Sizes: XXS – XXXL.
Colours: 7; including dark olive, midnight blue and black.
Materials: 70% Polyamide, 30% Elastane.
Pros
- Does not budge whilst working out.
- Features a chic, arched hemline.
- Squat proof.
Cons
- Again, the seamless finish does leave some underwear options out of the equation.
3. Impact Seamless Racer Back Bra + Impact Seamless Leggings + Oversized Pocket Zip Through Fleece
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
My Review: The intersection of sports and style is always one ripe for innovation. Think: On’s CloudTec® technology for better strides, Nike’s Dri-FIT technology for sweat-wicking runs and even the way Adidas adopted the three-stripes as a signature branding tool. Now, Adanola has entered this cannon with a revolutionary new category launch: Impact.
Like Ultimate, this range is designed specifically for movement in mind. The main point of difference, as the name hints at, is the fact that these pieces are made for higher-intensity workouts in mind. Think: HIIT classes, spin, interval training and boxing. These pieces are made unique because of their bonded edges, contoured segments, a smoothed finish, and breathable panels. Intentionally seamless for a sleeker and more dynamic silhouette, the brand promises the new range “provides support through every rep and set, adapting effortlessly to every motion”.
Whilst I’ve always found Adanola to be supportive of my lower-intensity Pilates classes, this new Impact range certainly hit the mark for me on days when I wanted to break out into a bigger sweat. Thankfully, the fabric still felt buttery soft and lightweight, despite being compressive and contouring. I wore the Seamless Racer Back Bra in an XL, and although it was a bit low-cut, I enjoyed the fact that it had thick adjustable straps that could alter the level of support. I did think the buckle was slightly clunky and not as chic as the options available, so this is something to consider, as I regret not getting the tank top to layer over.
The leggings were really lovely, but I did have a slight gripe when my sock line showed underneath, a factor that comes down to their second-skin finish. The real star of the show was this ultra-cuddly fleece. With a lined interior and incredibly comfortable texture, this is the kind of thing that will make your weekend dog walks and early morning trots to get a takeaway coffee all the more enticing.
Shop the Look:
Adanola
Impact Seamless Racer Tank
Sizes: XS – XXL.
Colours: 4; slate blue, coffee bean, sea green and black.
Materials: 90% Nylon, 10% Elastane.
Pros
- Adjustable straps.
- Mesh panel inserts.
- Bonded edges.
- Racer back cut.
Adanola
Impact Seamless Leggings
Sizes: XS – XXL.
Colours: 4; slate blue, coffee bean, sea green and black.
Materials: 90% Nylon, 10% Elastane.
Pros
- Sweat-wicking.
- Sculpted fit.
- Breathable panels.
Cons
- Really sticks to every curve, which I found accentuated some areas that I personally found unflattering.
Adanola
Oversized Pocket Zip Through Fleece
Sizes: XXS – XXXL
Colours: 4; navy blue, coffee bean, sand and dark pistachio.
Materials: 100% Recycled Polyester.
Pros
- Incredibly snug.
- Elasticated hem.
- High neck.
- Multiple pockets.
Cons
- Oversized fit.
- Colour likely to transfer if not washed correctly.
- On that note, quite a lot of specifications around washing which can be off-putting for those wanting a low-maintenance style.
