Best Gear to Wear for Peloton Workouts

Let’s cut straight to it: the right workout gear isn’t a luxury — it’s a performance multiplier. Whether you’re clipping into a 45-minute Power Zone ride, grinding through a Tread bootcamp, or flowing through a yoga session, what you wear directly impacts your output, comfort, and ability to push harder when the leaderboard heats up.

After thousands of collective rides, runs, and strength sessions across the Output Nation community, we’ve dialed in exactly what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to Peloton workout gear. Here’s everything you need to know to dress for performance.

The Non-Negotiable: Moisture-Wicking Fabrics

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: cotton is the enemy. Cotton absorbs sweat, clings to your body, gets heavy, and creates friction where you absolutely don’t want it. During a high-output ride with Alex Toussaint or a HIIT run with Becs Gentry, you’re going to sweat — a lot.

Every piece of clothing touching your skin should be made from moisture-wicking, quick-dry material. Look for fabrics like polyester blends, nylon, or merino wool that pull sweat away from your skin and allow it to evaporate quickly. This isn’t about fashion. It’s about staying dry, reducing chafing, and maintaining focus when the effort ramps up.

Tops: Stay Light, Stay Cool

For cycling and Tread workouts, your top should be lightweight and breathable. Fitted tops work best on the bike because loose fabric can bunch up when you’re in and out of the saddle, and baggy shirts have a tendency to catch on your knees during high-cadence efforts.

For women, a supportive sports bra is arguably the most important piece of gear in your rotation. High-impact workouts demand high-impact support — don’t compromise here. Look for bras with encapsulated cups, adjustable straps, and a snug band that stays put through sprints and climbs alike.

For men, a fitted performance tee or a sleeveless tank offers full range of motion without excess material getting in the way. During strength classes, you want a top that moves with you during rows, presses, and burpees without riding up.

Bottoms: Function Over Everything

Your bottom half takes a beating during Peloton workouts, so choosing the right shorts, leggings, or cycling-specific gear matters more than you might think.

For the bike, padded cycling shorts are a game-changer — especially if you’re riding four or more times a week. The chamois (that padded insert) reduces pressure on your sit bones and minimizes saddle soreness that can sideline your training. You can wear them as standalone shorts or as a liner beneath regular workout shorts. Either way, your body will thank you on ride number four of the week.

For women, high-waisted leggings with a compressive fit are the gold standard across nearly every Peloton discipline. They stay in place, offer muscle support, and eliminate the constant adjusting that kills your focus mid-workout. Look for options with a gusseted crotch for better range of motion and flatlock seams to prevent chafing.

For men, lined training shorts or compression shorts provide the support you need without restriction. Avoid basketball-style shorts on the bike — the excess fabric gets caught and the lack of compression offers zero support where it counts.

Footwear: Match Your Modality

Peloton cycling requires compatible clip-in shoes. If you’re riding the Peloton Bike or Bike+, you need shoes with a Look Delta or SPD-compatible cleat system (the Peloton Bike uses Look Delta three-bolt cleats). The right cycling shoes should fit snugly without pinching, with a stiff sole that transfers power directly to the pedals. A loose or flexible shoe means wasted energy on every single stroke.

For Tread workouts, your running shoes should match your gait and foot strike. This is one area where a professional fitting at a running store pays massive dividends. The wrong running shoe leads to shin splints, knee pain, and IT band issues that will pull you off the leaderboard for weeks.

For strength, yoga, and stretching classes, many athletes prefer training barefoot or in minimal shoes that allow natural foot movement and ground contact. If you prefer shoes for strength work, opt for flat-soled training shoes that provide stability during lifts without the cushioned heel of a running shoe.

Accessories That Actually Matter

Beyond the basics, a few key accessories can make a measurable difference in your Peloton experience:

• Heart rate monitor: A chest strap or armband heart rate monitor syncs with your Peloton and gives you accurate zone data. This turns every workout into a data-driven training session rather than guesswork.
• Sweat towel: A quick-dry microfiber towel draped over your handlebars is essential. Sweat on the handlebars is a safety issue during out-of-saddle efforts, full stop.
• Headband or sweatband: Keeping sweat out of your eyes during a max-effort interval is the difference between holding your output and backing off. A simple moisture-wicking headband solves this instantly.
• Grip gloves or cycling gloves: If you experience hand numbness or discomfort during longer rides, padded cycling gloves reduce pressure on the ulnar nerve and give you a more confident grip.
• Quality socks: Overlooked and underrated. Moisture-wicking, cushioned athletic socks prevent blisters and hot spots. For cycling, a thinner sock gives you a better feel inside your shoe.

How Many Sets of Gear Do You Actually Need?

If you’re working out five to six days a week — and let’s be honest, most of the Output Nation community is — you need enough gear to rotate without doing laundry every other day. A solid baseline is three to four complete workout outfits, including sports bras and socks. Performance fabrics dry quickly, so you can stretch this rotation if you’re disciplined about post-workout care.

Wash your gear in cold water, skip the fabric softener (it clogs the moisture-wicking fibers and traps odor), and hang dry when possible. Your gear will last longer and perform better.

The Bottom Line

The best Peloton gear isn’t about brand names or matching your bike’s aesthetic — though we won’t judge if your kit coordinates perfectly. It’s about removing every possible distraction between you and your best output. The right fabrics keep you dry. The right fit keeps you focused. The right shoes keep you efficient. And the right accessories keep you locked into the data that drives improvement.

Invest in gear that works as hard as you do, and you’ll feel the difference from the first pedal stroke. Your PRs are waiting.