Activewear for mums

Exercising while pregnant or getting back into exercise after having a baby might not be at the top of your wish list, but these supportive, stylish and sporty outfits will inspire you to get moving.

Bravado Body Silk Seamless Full Cup Nursing Bra, £36 Available from bravadodesigns.com

While the Body Silk is a nursing bra (rather than a maternity bra), it is super-soft and wire-free, so can be worn comfortably during pregnancy and beyond. There's a choice of seven colours and with eight different sizes and a fair amount of stretch to the material, you should be able to get a good fit. What is great about this bra is the support provided by the solid straps and clip fastening back, but with the softness of a sleep bra. You wouldn't wear this to do high-impact sports, but it is supportive enough to wear for light exercise such as walking, yoga and pilates.

Our tester says: “I love how comfortable these bras are. In fact, I haven't worn any other bras for the past 2 weeks! The removable pads give me a nice shape and the bra's support is really good considering how flexible and soft the material is.”

Lily & Ribbon Lightweight Maternity & Nursing Hoodie, £35 Available from lilyandribbon.com

Lily and Ribbon specialises in fashionable yet functional maternity and breastfeeding clothes, including an activewear range of leggings, sports bras and hoodies. The brand was created by Tanya Patel who was so fed up with looking for maternity wear that wasn't drab and boring that she created her own.

Available in sizes 6 to 14 and a choice of soft pink or classic black, the Lightweight Maternity & Nursing Hoodie is made from super-soft fabric and elastic to allow the hoodie to grow with you and your baby. It has two layers of fabric that pull apart at the side giving discreet and easy nursing access. It is made from a soft, stretchy fabric that will stretch comfortably over a bump without losing its shape if you want to wear it postnatally.

Latched Nursing Sports Bra, from £38 Pre & Postnatal Leggings, from £45 Both available from latched.uk

All Latched clothing has been designed, tried and tested by founder Natalie Ward while she was pregnant or breastfeeding her two children.

What we love about the Nursing Sports Bra is that the nursing clips are discreet, so you could wear this bra while pregnant and post-partum, regardless of whether you plan to breastfeed. The bra can be worn two ways, with traditional bra straps or as a racerback using the hook and eye detail (recommended for high-impact exercise). It comes in five sizes with seven different colours (including two patterns).

Our tester says: “The bra felt very comfortable and gave me enough support while I went for a run. It is not as tight as a traditional sports bra, but this is a good thing as I found it comfortable to wear even when my boobs were full of milk. However, the material made my boobs sweaty while exercising.”

The high-waisted Pre & Postnatal Leggings offer mild compression, which means they are a snug fit and supportive, but not too tight. The super-high-waist gives excellent tummy support and the dropped waistband seam means there's no risk of uncomfortable stitching digging into your bump or rubbing on a c-section scar. These leggings can be worn while pregnant, however if you think you are going to have a very large bump then it is recommended to buy the Maternity Leggings, which have a bit more stretch in the tummy area. There are five colours to choose from and one pretty gold detail pattern, and they come in sizes XS to XL. Another great feature is the extra-large pockets that can hold your keys, phone or tissues.

Our tester says: “These leggings are amazing! They are brilliant for postpartum or a mum tum, as they hold everything in, but are not so tight that you get a muffin top. I have bought much pricer leggings in the past that roll down at the waist or are too tight on my legs. These are just right. I love the range of bright colours and that you can mix and match them with the sports bras.”

Natal Active Swift Night Bright Maternity & Postnatal Leggings, £60 Swift Maternity & Breastfeeding Run Top, £40 Both available from natalactive.com

Winning Best Maternity Activewear Brand for 2021, Natal Active sells a range of nursing sports bras, maternity leggings and breastfeeding workout tops. Each item has been designed to fit during pregnancy and post-partum.

The Swift Night Bright Maternity & Postnatal Leggings are plain black, but they feature a stylish reflective detail on the legs to ensure you are spotted by cars on darker winter runs. The four-way stretch, sweat-wicking fabric makes them supportive and comfortable to wear during pregnancy and for postnatal tummies. The silicone ‘grip’ on the inside of the waistband can be positioned where you want it and it will stay put, whether you are working out with a full-term bump or postnatally. The leggings come in sizes XS to XXL. The Swift Maternity & Breastfeeding Run Top is made from a lightweight and fast-drying polyester/spandex fabric, which is great for cooler runs or layering under the a running jacket or jumper. It has discreet nursing zips making breastfeeding easy and enough stretch to fit over a bump.

bp3 Coni Sporty High Waist knickers, £22 Available from bp3underwear.com

It is not something that we like to admit, but many women suffer from incontinence and bladder issues during pregnancy and well after you have had kids. These Coni Sporty High Waist knickers are ideal for leaks and periods – and are perfect for pregnant women as the high-waist is very comfortable. They have four layers of absorbent, discreet gusset and a scalloped, seamless edging so you don't have to worry about a VPL.

The ultra runner Sophie Power has worn bp3 knickers during and after her pregnancy and considers them an integral part of her running kit. They are extremely comfortable and protecting, and give peace of mind when working out in case of leaks. Available in black and cream, the Coni knickers come in sizes Small (size 8) up to 9X Large (size 30). Our tester says: “These knickers are so comfortable and soft on my skin. I usually prefer to wear underthe-bump knickers and trousers, as I hate things touching my belly, but these felt really nice.”