For a while during my pregnancies, I got by with wearing regular running shorts and leggings with forgiving elastic waists and loose-fitting tops. But eventually, the bump took over, and I needed exercise pieces that would accommodate my growing belly and support the muscles and ligaments around it. Fortunately, we no longer have to buy oversized clothes or borrow ill-fitting pieces from our partners—now there’s no shortage of maternity workout gear made for pregnant women who continue to exercise as their bump grows.
When I searched for supportive and comfortable maternity activewear, I found many of the best products came from smaller, women-founded companies. After all, who better to make high-functioning maternity gear than women who also navigated exercise during their pregnancies? Here are five businesses founded by women with the best performance gear to help you stay active during pregnancy.
At a Glance
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Michelle Boyer started when she was pregnant with her second child and had recently moved to Maine. She wanted a base layer that would keep her warm and wick sweat away from her body. It also needed to fit around her bump while providing support. She didn’t like the options she found, so she created this line of technical, high-performing maternity wear in 2018.
Arctic Lynx’s maternity line is unfussy: It offers three tops (one short sleeve, one long sleeve, and one tunic) and two pairs of bottoms (a pair for pregnancy and one for postpartum), all made from black, sweat-wicking, stretchy material. These pieces work well as base layers, or just as well on their own.
The material is thick in a way that lets you know it’s high quality, and the wicking ability is fantastic. I used the ($78) during my second pregnancy, and it was my go-to exercise piece because of its versatility. It performed just as well on its own for late-summer hikes as a base layer for southern Vermont cross-country skiing in mid-winter.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly workout gear, look no further than . Founded by two athletic sisters who wanted to create activewear at an attainable price point, Senita has a strong maternity line among its offerings—all with prices below $50.
You’ll find leggings and shorts that have bump coverage and provide light core support, as well as an array of bump-friendly tops and bathing suits. From paddle boarding in the heat to hiking in the chill of the fall, there are enough options here to cover you regardless of the season of your pregnancy.
I liked the thicker material of the ($48) because it provided additional bump support during the third trimester. The ($35) were the most comfortable pair of maternity shorts I found. I wore them around the house as much as for workouts. All of Senita’s shorts and leggings have deep, easy-access phone pockets, which I found comforting when exercising alone in the woods while pregnant.
Deeanne Akerson, an avid runner and backpacker, co-founded with her husband after wanting a set of pajamas that made breastfeeding in the middle of the night easier—because anything that makes the middle of the night with a baby easier is life-changing. She started with those pajamas and now has an extensive line of clothing for both pre- and post-birth.
My ribcage and cup size increased during both of my pregnancies, which happens to a lot of pregnant people. Instead of buying larger bras to fit during my pregnancy and then buying another set of nursing bras when baby arrived, I bought nursing bras that fit during my pregnancy, then used them throughout breastfeeding.
If you choose to breastfeed, I suggest you do the same, and start with Kindred Bravely’s ($48). I wore this all the time because it was so comfortable. The stretchy material and non-constricting fit is the perfect balance of support without ever feeling tight. It doesn’t have enough support for running, but it’s great for lower-impact activities, from cross-country skiing to hiking to yoga.
If you decide to breastfeed, Kindred Bravely also has nursing tops designed to fit during pregnancy and after. I wore them for exercising during my pregnancy and then when I hiked with my baby. I didn’t realize the value of nursing-specific workout tops until I was trying to breastfeed trailside, and this top was a game changer for me.
When a women’s health physical therapist and Pilates Instructor creates a maternity line, you know it’s worth checking out. Suzanne Koval founded when she realized that her pregnant and postpartum clients needed better gear for their prenatal and postpartum sessions.
Often, the compression provided by maternity leggings isn’t enough support for your bump late in your pregnancy or during high-impact activities. That’s where ($65) comes in. It’s tighter than regular high-rise leggings and goes all the way around your trunk to relieve stress on your back and hips. It can make activities as simple as walking more comfortable.
Bao Bei’s bralettes are a piece of gear that seamlessly transition from pregnancy to postpartum. It’s super stretchy, so it will stretch with your body as it continues to change during pregnancy, and offers great coverage for low-impact activities. The stretchy neckline also accommodates nursing.
I found it to be a helpful piece after breastfeeding, too. Too much compression can be uncomfortable when you’re breastfeeding and weaning. This was a bra I always felt comfy in and continue to wear now that I’m neither pregnant nor breastfeeding because it held its elasticity, so it still fits me. When you’re forced to buy pregnancy-specific gear, it’s nice to have a piece that stays in your wardrobe beyond pregnancy and breastfeeding. The brand’s color and pattern options are a fun bonus, too.
Founder and former Division I lacrosse player Marguerite Adzick started while she was six months pregnant with the goal of making polished activewear options for women. Adzick is now a mom of four, and in 2024 launched a maternity activewear line. I’ve tested many of their pieces, and not only are they cozy, but they hold up to many wears and washes.
The line is geared toward country club sports like golf and tennis, but the brand’s ($108) are great for hiking, running, and yoga. Available in navy and black, this classic, high-quality legging completely covers your bump and provides light support. The fabric is a blend of spandex and nylon, resulting in a stretchy pair of leggings that you’ll reach for again and again. Their versatility will easily take you from exercise to errands to lounging on the couch.