‘ATHLEISURE’ isn’t really a word that factors into my life.
There are clothes I use to exercise — usually a ratty t-shirt and gym shorts — and clothes I wear out and about.
However, I was recently sent some gear from Gym + Coffee, and my eyes were opened to the possibility of clothes that do both.
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As you might be able to tell from the name, Gym + Coffee makes garments designed to take you from your workout to your post-gym social commitments.
They might not be smart enough to wear out to dinner, but their sleek, minimalistic design means they’re certainly nice enough to wear out to brunch or to run errands.
They tick the box that I think all good gym gear should tick: they make you excited to do exercise.
Gym+Coffee: Quickfire Q&A
How much is it? Moderately priced, if you ask me. My T-shirt was £30, shorts were £40 and the quarter-zip mid layer was £60.
Who’s it best for? People who like their workout clothes to do the heavy lifting outside the gym as well as in.
What we loved: Every item feels really well-made, the sizing is spot-on and it’s a welcome change from a sea of Gymshark and Lululemon. I also thought it was really
What we didn’t: Honestly? Not much. There are a lot of stock issues at the moment, which makes ordering a pain.
RATING: 9/10
Coffee Tee in Petrol Blue
Coffee Tee in Petrol Blue, £30 from Gym + Coffee
In many ways, this is just a standard, breathable workout t-shirt.
There’s nothing too fancy about the material; it’s 88% recycled polyester (which is a nice eco-friendly touch) and 12% elastane, which gives it a nice form-fitting stretch.
I really loved the fit of this tee; it’s got just a tiny bit of extra length, which means that you won’t be exposing your stomach every time you reach your arms above your head.
I also liked that it doesn’t go over the top with the stretchiness — it’s tight enough to be form-fitting, but loose enough that you won’t look like an idiot if you decide to go for a pint after your workout.
It’s also super breathable, soft to the touch and, at £30, it’s not silly money.
Relentless 1/4 Zip in Petrol Blue
Relentless 1/4 Zip in Petrol Blue, £60 from Gym + Coffee
This was the surprise standout for me.
The Relentless 1/4 Zip is made from …..
It’s also a nice design touch to include a raglan sleeve, which extends in one piece up to your collar, rather than stopping at the shoulder.
It gives you a bigger range of movement than an ordinary sleeve.
While that’s nothing groundbreaking, it just shows an attention to detail that I appreciate.
Other neat little features include a size pocket with an invisible zip and thumb holes.
It says a lot that it’s recieved nothing but five-star reviews on the Gym+Coffee site, and that’s from 50+ reviews — no mean feat.
I think I echo the sentiments of this review: “Fits like a glove. Nice and tight on the arms and chest while not showing off the dad gut. Love it. Highly recommend.”
Essential 6″ Shorts in Petrol Blue
Essential 6″ Shorts in Petrol Blue, £40 from Gym + Coffee
I’ve always liked a shorter short, especially for working out, but it’s worth mentioning that Gym + Coffee sells two versions of these shorts: a six-inch version and an eight-inch version.
Weirdly, though, if you have your heart set on Petrol Blue, you’ll have to be happy to show some thigh — you can’t get the colour in the eight-inch shorts.
As with the quarter zip, there’s an attention to detail here I like.
They have the sort of thick waistband I usually associate with yoga pants, for example, which helps them to stay in place during high-intensity sports.
And as a person whose primary form of exercise is tennis, I appreciated that I could fit two tennis balls in the pockets.
Some reviewers have called these the best shorts they’ve ever worn, and I have to agree — they’re comfortable, lightweight, and made from a fabric that feels soft, stretchy and high-quality.
