Exercise Costume
Bring back the burn with neon spandex, leg warmers, and sweatbands.
The retro exercise costume is a high-energy, colorful tribute to the aerobics craze of the 1980s. Perfect for parties or group themes, this look is instantly recognizable and incredibly comfortable to wear. It consists of a bright neon bodysuit, contrasting leggings, fluffy leg warmers, and classic sweatbands.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Exercise
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Exercise costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Exercise costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Neon Leotard or Bodysuit
A sleeveless, high-cut spandex leotard in a vibrant color like hot pink, neon green, or electric blue.
DIY: Use a bright, tight-fitting tank top tucked tightly into your leggings.
Spandex Leggings
Shiny, ankle-length leggings in a contrasting neon color or classic black to wear under the leotard.
DIY: Any bright athletic leggings or footless tights you already own.
Knit Leg Warmers
Slouchy, ribbed knit leg warmers worn pulled up to the mid-calf over your sneakers.
DIY: Cut the feet off a pair of thick, colorful winter socks and scrunch them around your ankles.
Sweatband Set
A matching terrycloth headband and two wristbands in a bright accent color.
DIY: Cut strips from an old colorful t-shirt and tie them around your head and wrists.
Retro Crop Top Sweatshirt
An optional off-the-shoulder cropped sweatshirt in gray or a bright color to layer over the leotard.
DIY: Take an old oversized sweatshirt and cut the collar wide and the hem short with fabric scissors.
White Athletic Sneakers
Classic white running shoes or retro high-top sneakers.
DIY: Any clean pair of white athletic shoes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Exercise costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Pull on the shiny spandex leggings as your base layer.
- 2
Layer the high-cut neon leotard directly over the leggings.
- 3
If using, slip on the cropped, off-the-shoulder sweatshirt over the leotard.
- 4
Pull the knit leg warmers over your lower legs, scrunching them down slightly.
- 5
Put on your white athletic sneakers and tie them securely.
- 6
Place the terrycloth headband across your forehead and slide the wristbands onto your wrists.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a high, bouncy side ponytail secured with a colorful scrunchie. For makeup, go bright with blue eyeshadow, pink blush, and pink lipstick to match the energetic retro vibe.
Exercise for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with a partner dressed as a retro weightlifter with a fake barbell and muscle tank.
- group
- Gather friends to create a full '80s aerobics class with coordinating neon color schemes.
- kids
- Scale it down with a mini neon unitard, colorful hair scrunchies, and tiny leg warmers.
- Plus size
- Opt for highly stretchy spandex leggings and a supportive, wide-strap neon tank or bodysuit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a tiny neon green t-shirt and a soft pink headband around their neck.
Tips
- Wear supportive athletic undergarments beneath the spandex for comfort and coverage.
- Keep a fanny pack around your waist to hold your phone, keys, and wallet while keeping your hands free.
- Practice a few classic aerobics moves like grapevines and jazz hands for fun photo poses.
- This outfit is highly breathable, making it perfect for warm indoor parties or crowded dance floors.
Exercise costume FAQ
- What do you wear under an 80s workout costume?
- Wear a supportive sports bra and seamless underwear under your leggings and leotard to ensure a smooth silhouette and comfortable fit.
- Can I wear this costume to a real workout class?
- Yes! Since the components are made of athletic materials like spandex and cotton, it is fully functional for light exercise or themed fitness classes.
- How do I make a DIY version of this costume?
- Combine any bright tank top and leggings you own, cut the collar off an old sweatshirt to wear off-the-shoulder, and cut the toes off long socks to make leg warmers.
Did you know? The iconic 1980s aerobics look was popularized by celebrity fitness gurus like Jane Fonda, whose workout videotapes sold millions of copies and made leg warmers a mainstream fashion trend.