I tried the new trend for workout onesies, and it was so practical and fun I never want to go back to leggings

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I tried the new trend for workout onesies, and it was so practical and fun I never want to go back to leggings
Insider
I tried the new trend for workout onesies, and it was so practical and fun I never want to go back to leggings
Rachel Hosie tried working out in a onesie and enjoyed it.Rachel Hosie/Insider
  • I tried the new trend for workout onesies to see if they're worth the money.
  • The Gymshark all-in-one I chose was fun to wear and really practical for all different workouts.
  • It was comfier than leggings and sports bras, and at $38, definitely worth the money.

I love a one-piece. Dungarees, jumpsuits, playsuits, leotards ... I find it incredibly comfortable not having any constriction around my waist.

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So when I saw the new (well, sort of new - they're something of a throwback to 80s-style unitards) trend for workout onesies, my interest was immediately piqued.

After spotting an increasing number of fitness influencers rocking all-in-ones for their workouts - not to mention tennis legend Serena Williams wearing a catsuit at the Australian Open - I knew I had to give it a try.

I wondered, however, if they would actually be practical, or simply yet another way for activewear brands to get us to part with more cash.

I decided to buy the Gymshark Flex All In One, which cost £28 ($38) on the UK site and was reduced from £40 (currently retailing for $50 on the US site) - Gymshark is one of the most popular activewear brands on Instagram, but I'd never actually tried any of its clothing.

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Reader, I'm a onesie convert. I wore it for various different types of workout, and found my all-in-one practical, comfortable, and somewhat amusing to wear.

It was comfy, fun to wear, and made me want to move

I tried the new trend for workout onesies, and it was so practical and fun I never want to go back to leggings
Rachel felt a bit like an Olympic swimmer.Rachel Hosie/Insider

My first impression upon seeing my reflection in the onesie was: I look like an Olympic swimmer.

Various brands do full-legged all-in-ones, which would probably minimize this vibe though.

It was a snug fit and there was no hiding my VPL, but it was very stretchy and comfortable.

However, there was no built-in sports bra or bust support. If you were going to do high-intensity exercise, and especially if you have a larger bust than me, you'd definitely want to wear a sports bra underneath, which would slightly ruin the aesthetic too.

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I do think you need to be pretty confident in your body to wear something like this - if you're self-conscious about your "hip-dips" or whether your stomach is flat or not, it's probably not one for you.

If I wore the onesie to an exercise class or the gym, I imagine I'd receive mixed reactions, but in my own apartment at least, I felt awesome in it. It felt fun! And definitely made me want to move.

It's practical for working out

I tried the new trend for workout onesies, and it was so practical and fun I never want to go back to leggings
Rachel trying the onesie for a Pvolve workout.Rachel Hosie/Insider

One of my pet peeves is leggings that fall down during a workout - and so many of them do. The beauty of the onesie is that this issue is completely removed.

I wore my onesie for various different workouts to put it to the test properly: weight-lifting, yoga, dancing, and P.volve classes.

Pleasingly, it was completely squat-proof - you don't notice until you bend over that the material actually changes over the butt: it's more opaque, and then more mesh-like over the rest of the legs, which feels nice and breathable.

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I tried the new trend for workout onesies, and it was so practical and fun I never want to go back to leggings
The onesie was pleasingly squat-proof.Rachel Hosie/Insider

It was very easy to move in, and felt particularly good when stretching or performing side-bends - I could move completely freely without worrying about anything falling down or digging in.

Not needing to fuss over my outfit actually meant I could forget about what I was wearing and how my body looked, and simply focus on how I was moving.

Going to the bathroom, however, was a bit more of an effort: Being so tight, it was tricky to pull up and down over my shoulders, and - much like when you go out in a playsuit - you also feel peculiarly naked.

You need to feel confident to wear a workout onesie, but I'm a convert

I tried the new trend for workout onesies, and it was so practical and fun I never want to go back to leggings
It was easy to perform a downward dog in the onesie.Rachel Hosie/Insider

Once I got over the fact that I looked a bit like I was about to dive into a pool and attempt a 400m butterfly, I loved wearing my workout onesie.

At $38, this was definitely one of the cheaper fitness onesies I found online - I know athleisure is expensive and it's essentially a full outfit, but I was surprised to find so many brands selling all-in-ones for over $100.

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I thought the Gymshark onesie was definitely worth the money, and considering how practical it is, I don't think the trend is all style over substance.

Yes, it could do with chest support, and a slim pocket might be handy like some leggings have, but I definitely want to expand my workout onesie collection - perhaps a long-legged and even long-sleeved version for these colder months.

I've always been a leggings and sports bra kind of girl, but I think one-pieces might just be the future of fitness fashion (as well as the past - Jane Fonda knew what she was doing).

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