The Real Cost of Cheap Gym Wear: Why Quality Saves You Money
The Real Cost of Cheap Gym Wear: Why Quality Saves You Money
I've spent £300 on cheap leggings in 2 years. Here's what I learned.
Let me paint you a picture: it's 2020, and I'm standing in the middle of a budget retailer, holding three pairs of gym leggings for £15 each. "What a bargain," I think. Fast forward six months, and all three pairs are pilling, see-through during squats, or have waistbands that roll down mid-workout.
So I buy three more pairs. Then three more. Then I discover an online sale and buy five pairs "just in case."
By the end of two years, I'd spent over £300 on cheap gym leggings. And you know what? I had nothing to show for it except a drawer full of worn-out fabric and a lot of frustration.
If you've ever found yourself in this cycle—buying cheap, replacing often, and wondering why your gym wear never lasts—this one's for you.
The True Cost Breakdown: It's Not What You Think
Here's the math nobody talks about when you're standing in that shop, thinking you've found a steal.
Scenario 1: The "Bargain" Leggings
- Cost: £20 per pair
- Lifespan: 20-30 washes before they pill, lose compression, or become see-through
- If you train 3 times per week: That's roughly 3-4 months of use
- Cost per wear: £1.00
Scenario 2: Quality Performance Leggings
- Cost: £60 per pair
- Lifespan: 100+ washes (with a guarantee to back it up)
- If you train 3 times per week: That's 8-10 months of use, minimum
- Cost per wear: £0.60
The difference? You're actually paying 40% MORE per wear for cheap leggings.
But it gets worse. Because cheap leggings don't just cost you money—they cost you time, performance, and peace of mind.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About
1. The Replacement Tax
Every time a pair of leggings fails, you don't just lose the money you spent. You lose:
- Time shopping for replacements (online browsing, returns, trips to the shop)
- Mental energy deciding what to buy next (and hoping this time they'll last)
- Workout disruption when you realize mid-session that your leggings are see-through
If you value your time at even £10/hour, and you spend 2 hours every few months finding replacements, that's another £20-40 per year on top of the purchase price.
2. The Performance Compromise
Cheap leggings aren't just less durable—they're less functional.
What you lose:
- Compression that actually works: Cheap fabrics lose elasticity fast, which means no muscle support during high-intensity work
- Moisture management: Budget fabrics trap sweat instead of wicking it away, leaving you uncomfortable and overheated
- Stay-put waistbands: Nothing kills your workout flow like constantly pulling up leggings that won't stay in place
- Squat-proof coverage: If you're doing a "squat test" in the changing room, you've already compromised
When your gear doesn't perform, your training suffers. And that's a cost you can't put a price on.
3. The Environmental Cost
Let's be honest: fast fashion isn't just hard on your wallet—it's hard on the planet.
The average cheap legging:
- Lasts 20-30 washes
- Ends up in landfill within 6 months
- Made from synthetic fabrics that take 200+ years to decompose
Over 2 years:
- Cheap leggings: 6-8 pairs purchased = 6-8 items in landfill
- Quality leggings: 2-3 pairs purchased = 2-3 items (and they're still wearable)
Quality isn't just about durability—it's about buying less and wasting less. And that matters.
What Actually Makes Quality Gym Wear Different?
After spending £300 learning this lesson the hard way, I started asking: what separates leggings that last from leggings that fall apart?
Here's what I found.
1. Fabric Technology That Actually Works
Quality gym wear uses technical fabrics designed for performance and durability.
SkinSense™ Technology (what we use at Exsto) is engineered to:
- Wick moisture away from your skin during high-intensity training
- Regulate temperature so you don't overheat during burpees or freeze during warm-ups
- Maintain compression even after 100+ washes
- Resist pilling and fading through repeated wear and washing
Cheap leggings use generic polyester blends that look fine on the hanger but break down fast under real-world use.
The test: Quality fabrics have a substantial weight and thickness (usually 250-300 GSM). Cheap fabrics feel thin and flimsy because they are.
2. Construction That Holds Up
It's not just about the fabric—it's about how it's put together.
Quality indicators:
- Flat-lock seams that prevent chafing and won't split during lunges
- Reinforced stitching at stress points (gusset, waistband, pockets)
- Multi-panel construction that moves with your body instead of restricting it
- Stay-put waistbands with internal grip or compression that doesn't roll
Cheap leggings use basic stitching and single-panel construction. They're built to hit a price point, not to last.
3. Real-World Testing
Quality brands test their gear in actual training conditions—not just in a lab.
At Exsto, every product is tested by real athletes before it goes to market:
- Emma McQuaid (Team GB ultra runner, 100-mile races)
- CrossFit coaches who train 5+ days per week
- Hyrox competitors who put gear through 8km of running + 1,000 reps in a single session
- Everyday athletes who need gear that works for the gym, the school run, and everything in between
If it doesn't hold up in real-world conditions, it doesn't get sold.
Cheap brands skip this step. They design, manufacture, and ship without real athlete feedback. And you can tell.
4. A Guarantee That Backs It Up
Here's the ultimate test of quality: does the brand stand behind their product?
Our Built for Life Guarantee:
- Every piece is guaranteed for 100 washes or 2 years—whichever comes first
- Rips, tears, seams splitting, fabric pilling? We replace it. No questions asked.
- No receipt required. No hassle.
We can only offer this guarantee because we know our gear lasts. If it didn't, we'd go out of business.
Cheap brands don't offer guarantees like this. Because they can't.
How to Spot Quality Gym Wear (Before You Buy)
You don't need to be a fabric expert to tell the difference between quality and cheap. Here's what to look for:
1. Check the Fabric Weight
- Quality: Thick, substantial feel (250-300 GSM)
- Cheap: Thin, flimsy, almost see-through even before you wear it
2. Inspect the Stitching
- Quality: Flat-lock seams, reinforced stress points, even stitching throughout
- Cheap: Basic stitching, loose threads, uneven seams
3. Test the Waistband
- Quality: Wide, substantial, stays in place when you pull it, internal grip or compression
- Cheap: Thin, rolls easily, no internal structure
4. Do the Squat Test
- Quality: Stays opaque during a deep squat, fabric doesn't thin out
- Cheap: See-through or noticeably thinner during squats
5. Look for Transparency
- Quality brands: Tell you where it's made, what fabrics are used, offer guarantees
- Cheap brands: Vague descriptions, no guarantees, no real athlete endorsements
The Math: What You Actually Spend Over Time
Let's do the real cost comparison over 1 year and 2 years, assuming you train 3 times per week.
Year 1
Cheap Leggings (£20/pair, 20-30 washes):
- Pairs needed: 4-5
- Total cost: £80-100
- Cost per wear: £1.00
Quality Leggings (£60/pair, 100+ washes):
- Pairs needed: 2
- Total cost: £120
- Cost per wear: £0.77
At first glance, cheap seems cheaper. But wait.
Year 2
Cheap Leggings:
- Pairs needed: Another 4-5 (none from Year 1 are still wearable)
- Total cost over 2 years: £160-200
- Cost per wear: £1.00
Quality Leggings:
- Pairs needed: 1 additional pair (the 2 from Year 1 are still going strong)
- Total cost over 2 years: £180
- Cost per wear: £0.58
Over 2 years, you save £20-40 AND have leggings that still work.
Year 3 and Beyond
This is where quality really wins.
Cheap Leggings:
- Another 4-5 pairs needed
- Total cost over 3 years: £240-300
Quality Leggings:
- Maybe 1 additional pair (your original 2 pairs are still under guarantee)
- Total cost over 3 years: £240
Same cost, but with quality you have functional gear. With cheap, you're constantly replacing.
When Does Cheap Make Sense? (And When to Invest)
Look, I'm not saying you should never buy budget gym wear. There are times when it makes sense.
Buy cheap when:
- You're trying a new sport and don't know if you'll stick with it
- You need something for a one-off event or fancy dress
- You're between sizes and expect your body to change soon
Invest in quality when:
- You train 3+ times per week
- You've found a sport or activity you're committed to
- You're tired of replacing gear every few months
- You want gear that performs, not just looks good
- You care about reducing waste and buying less
For most people who are serious about training, quality is the better investment.
How Long Should Gym Leggings Actually Last?
If you're Googling "how long should leggings last," here's the honest answer:
Cheap leggings: 20-30 washes (3-6 months of regular use)
Mid-range leggings: 40-60 washes (6-12 months)
Quality leggings: 100+ washes (1-2 years minimum)
At Exsto, we guarantee 100 washes or 2 years. If your leggings don't make it that far, we replace them.
That's the benchmark. If your leggings aren't lasting at least a year of regular training, you're not getting quality—no matter what the price tag says.
Are Expensive Leggings Worth It?
The short answer: yes, if they're actually high quality.
But "expensive" doesn't always mean "quality." Some brands charge premium prices for average gear because they've got a celebrity endorsement or trendy branding.
What makes expensive leggings worth it:
- Technical fabrics that wick moisture and maintain compression
- Construction that holds up to real training (flat-lock seams, reinforced stitching)
- Athlete-tested performance (not just influencer-approved aesthetics)
- A guarantee that backs up the quality claims
What doesn't make expensive leggings worth it:
- Celebrity endorsements with no substance behind the product
- Trendy patterns that fade after 10 washes
- Vague marketing claims with no real testing or guarantees
At Exsto, we're expensive compared to fast fashion. But we're worth it because we back up every claim with a guarantee, real athlete testing, and fabrics that actually perform.
The Bottom Line: Quality is the Real Bargain
Here's what I wish someone had told me before I spent £300 on cheap leggings:
Quality gym wear costs more upfront, but less over time.
It performs better, lasts longer, and saves you the frustration of constant replacements. And when a brand offers a guarantee like ours (100 washes or 2 years), you're not taking a risk—you're making a smart investment.
So if you're tired of buying leggings that fall apart, sports bras that lose support, and gym wear that doesn't perform, here's what I'd recommend:
Try quality. Just once.
See what it feels like to train in gear that stays in place, wicks sweat, and doesn't go see-through during squats. See what it's like to wash your leggings 50 times and have them still look new.
And if they don't live up to what we've promised? We'll replace them. That's our Built for Life Guarantee.
Because quality isn't about spending more—it's about wasting less.
Ready to try gym wear that actually lasts?
Every piece at Exsto Apparel is backed by our Built for Life Guarantee: 100 washes or 2 years, rips and tears covered. Athlete-tested, Belfast-built, designed to perform.
Free UK/Ireland shipping on orders over £50. Free returns, always.
Questions about sizing, fabric, or durability? Just reach out—we're here to help.