Are leggings out? Three coaches from trendy gyms know what is currently trending in sports
It's getting cold outside, we're heading back to the gym for our workouts, and naturally, we want our look to be just as impressive as our fitness level. Whether it's yoga, Pilates, spinning, or HIIT – what should you wear to work out this season? We asked those who should know: the always perfectly dressed coaches at trendy gyms in Zurich. Ready, steady, go – these are the sports trends for autumn.
Leggings are supposedly out. Anyone still wearing them is officially old—a millennial, to be precise. If you are now looking down at yourself in a panic, wondering, "What on earth am I supposed to wear to the gym then?", help is at hand. We checked in with three of the coolest women in the Zurich sports scene and asked them how to sweat in style and comfort this autumn. Which brands does Gina Buhl love, who gets us out of the saddle to hip-hop beats at the indoor cycling concept Open Ride? What would Katonah Yoga teacher Aylin Karadayi from VVOO Studio never wear? Which athleisure wear catapults you into another sphere according to Anne-Sophie Tillier from the boutique gym Higher Ground? And what about our beloved leggings?
Gina Buhl, Spinning Instructor at Open Ride
Dear Gina, are the rumors true—are leggings really out?
Gina Buhl: Yes! And that’s where my struggle begins: my baggy sweatpants, which I otherwise wear for sports, don't get along very well with the pedals.
What cuts are people wearing now?
I would say: everything you might have found strange five years ago. V-neck tops, capri pants, vintage-inspired thicker shorts that reach just above the knees, and low-waist cargos—though I’m personally out on those.
What do you look for when choosing your sports look?
It has to fit—nobody wants to have to fiddle with their bra or pull up their leggings during the very last sprint of the ride. In other words: material is everything—I recommend spandex.
I like matching sets. But without the Pilates-girly vibes.
A trend you’re observing in your studio?
The cool girls at Open Ride are currently wearing bandanas on their heads—I love it! I tried it: unfortunately, it looks ridiculous with the microphone I wear over it during class.
What would you never wear to work out?
Short socks.
Which sportswear brands should one know?
Bareen, Emestudios, Elite Eleven, Set Active, Unna, and Another Cotton.
Anne-Sophie Tillier, Founder of the boutique fitness concept Higher Ground[[image:78172305 "Higher Ground founder Anne-Sophie Tillier."]]
Hi Anne-Sophie, are the rumors true—are leggings really out?
Anne-Sophie Tillier: I don't think so. Rather, the way we wear them is changing.
What cuts are people wearing now?
Wide pants, relaxed silhouettes, and the mix of tight-fitting and oversized pieces. For a workout like at Higher Ground, which combines cardio, strength training, and mobility, good leggings are hard to beat.
What do you look for when choosing your sports look?
Our unofficial dress code at Higher Ground: black leggings, white top, white shoes, and white socks. We train in a dark room where the contrast between black and white is part of the atmosphere. The white pieces create small points of light in the darkness. It is important to me that everything fits comfortably, doesn't slip, and lets me fully immerse myself in the music and movement.
If I have to constantly pull up my leggings instead of focusing on the workout, we have a problem.
What would you never wear to work out?
Wild colors and patterns, baggy T-shirts and pants, or low-cut bras are a no-go for me. In our dark room, where the music takes over, I need as little distraction as possible. Simplicity creates space for me, not just visually but also mentally. For me, it's less about trends and more about pieces that are truly functional. Our outfit has to perform just as much as we do. Plus, I wash my sports gear constantly—so the quality has to be right.
Which sportswear brands should one know?
Lululemon and On combine functionality, comfort, and timeless design. I appreciate the savoir-faire behind a brand, the precision, and the attention to detail. I’d rather invest in pieces that will accompany me for years than in a trend that is over after one season.
Your hot styling tip?
Hoodies! I love the contrast between tight-fitting, functional pieces and a casual hoodie. But please, definitely oversized!
Aylin Karadayi, Yoga teacher and founder of the yoga studio VVOO Zurich
Aylin, tell me, are the rumors true—are leggings really out?
Aylin Karadayi: Yes! We’ve just seen too many people in leggings who weren't even on their way to the gym. (laughs) However, I don't think much of chasing every trend. That's why I still wear them—if only to bring variety to my looks.
What cuts are people wearing now?
Definitely more unisex, baggy cuts, basketball shorts, wider pants, and parachute pants.
What do you look for when choosing your sports look?
I like airy, breathable materials and cuts that don't restrict me even during complex exercises. Since I demonstrate movements and shapes to my students, the look shouldn't be too sloppy either. Functionality is important, but it should also be beautiful, of course.
My most important credo: No waistband—regardless of the pants—should slip.
A trend you’re observing in your studio?
Many wear black. But I believe that our students at VVOO think similarly to me: we care more about quality than hyped brands and logos.
What would you never wear to work out?
Those leggings with the seam right between the buttocks! Also, I can't stand cheap fabrics and shimmering, iridescent materials. And leggings that are pulled over the heel? Absolute ick!
Which sportswear brands should one know?
My own, of course! (laughs) With the VVOO × CC collab, we are designing exactly the pieces that we feel are missing from the market: for example, wide, airy pants that stay pleasantly cool thanks to their material. Or long, wide-cut shorts that are comfortable and versatile to style. Everything is unisex and uncomplicated. Otherwise, I am fascinated by the new designs from On, I love Our Legacy Work Shop, and I just can't get away from certain Lululemon fabrics. The Align texture just feels incredibly comfortable during yoga. Satisfy and District Vision also have great pieces.
Your hot styling tip?
In summer, I love wide basketball shorts; in winter, wider pants like our VVOO model or track pants—paired with a spaghetti-strap top. I also like light flared pants in combination with a cute shirt.
Author Linda Leitner loves having plans. She likes restaurant reservations, virtuously composed outfits, and drinks on balconies. The best compliment she has ever received: that she knows how to make life beautiful. That is why she is either on vacation or at the pool with a book.
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