These Athletic Dresses Will Make You the Best-Dressed Guest at the Gym—And They’re Under $50!

Published Jul 8, 2026 7:54 am ET


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Whether you get your exercise at home, at the gym or on the running track, one thing’s for certain: You need a moisture-wicking outfit to keep you comfortable. And athletic dresses are one of my favorite forms of workout wear. These sporty-chic dresses are made of comfy, stretchy fabric that wicks away sweat, and they include built-in shorts to keep you covered and allow for a full range of motion. Plus, they look darn cute to boot!

You don’t have to spend a fortune on a good athletic dress, though. I’ve taken a dive down the virtual aisles of the athleticwear section on Amazon and found 11 fabulous workout dresses you can grab for under $50. These dresses not only have built-in shorts, but most of them also have hidden pockets for your keys, debit cards and other small essentials. Some even have convenient features like built-in bras and adjustable straps for even more comfort. And to top it all off, each one boasts a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

So, if your closet could use a few more cute gym outfits, shop my top picks below!

11 Athletic Dresses Under $50 on Amazon

  • The Basics: This spaghetti-strap dress is the perfect introduction into athletic dresses, boasting a flattering cut, adjustable criss-cross straps and two hidden pockets for your valuables — $38
  • Short Sleeves: If you’re not into tank dresses, opt for this short-sleeved dress, which even has a small side slit to show a little more leg — $13
  • Ballerina Vibes: This sleeveless, square-necked dress has adjustable straps and a sheer, tutu-like skirt for a fun and flirty look — $35
  • Wide Straps: The wide straps on this tank dress help hide bra straps, while the crisscross detail on the back adds interest — $34
  • A-Game: Another wide-strap option, this sleeveless dress has a flattering A-line shape and a feminine scoop neck that’ll look good on anyone — $15
  • Double Duty: This tie-waist tennis dress looks so chic, you could wear it to brunch and then head straight to the gym without even having to change — $30
  • Party in the Back: At first glance, this looks like a regular-degular A-line dress. But the back boasts a unique, strappy design that adds an effortlessly stylish touch — $28
  • Green With Envy: This scoop-neck dress is available in over a dozen colors and patterns, but my favorite has to be this gorgeous kelly green with white trim. So cute! — $25
  • Crisscross: This square-neck dress has halter-like straps that form a pretty crisscross pattern in the back, and you can adjust them for the perfect fit — $34
  • Zip It: Equal parts preppy and sporty, this sleeveless collared dress features a zipper down the front so you can control how much skin you want to show — $35
  • Posh Spice: This ultra-flattering minidress has a scoop neck with spaghetti straps and a flirty little side slit. I actually own this exact same dress myself, and I literally feel like a Spice Girl whenever I wear it — $30
Kayleigh Drake

Kayleigh Drake

Author McClatchy Commerce

Kayleigh Drake is a Commerce Content Editor at McClatchy. She’s based in Birmingham, Alabama, and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Kayleigh has written and edited content for numerous publications, with a particular focus on the food, kitchen, home and lifestyle verticals. When she’s not fulfilling her editorial duties, she loves record shopping, playing guitar, baking and buying entirely too many plants.

Tracy Yochum

Tracy Yochum

Editor McClatchy Commerce

Based in Charlotte, NC, Tracy Yochum joined the McClatchy Commerce content team as a Commerce Writer and Editor in early 2023. She began her journalism career in the 1980s at the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey, where she was an award-winning reporter and editor. She joined The Charlotte Observer in 1997 as a copy editor and served in several newsroom and publishing center roles before joining the Commerce Team.