A good pair of women’s gym leggings can be hard to find. They need to fit comfortably, provide some warmth while also being breathable, and they need to be flattering. So, high waistbands, strategic stitching and stretchy fabric are ideal.
The best women’s gym leggings also need to be totally squat-proof—no one wants leggings that turn see-through when stretched—and they need to stay put, because having your leggings slip down during workouts is annoying and distracting.
But sorting the good leggings from the not-so-good is quite the task. We’ve done the hard work for you with our round-up of the best gym leggings for women this season. From high-performance activewear to budget-friendly options, these are the leggings to go for.
And if you want to widen the net further, take a look at our selection of the best running leggings and best yoga leggings.
I wasn’t that familiar with Gym + Coffee but I’ll certainly be investing in more of their kit after trying these leggings, which have made their way on to my favorites pile.
They’re easy to get on thanks to the Lycra used in the fabric, and they’re flattering and figure-hugging, plus the fabric is super-soft as well as being squat-proof, so no annoying see-through moments.
These have a Lululemon vibe, although they’re slightly cheaper than Lulus. I like the ⅞ length because it shows off a bit of ankle and helps to keep me cooler when working out. The leggings demonstrated how breathable they are when I wore them for a weights session at the gym and stayed comfortable throughout.
Myprotein’s MP brand always seems to offer high-quality kit at more affordable prices than others. These Velocity Ultra leggings are no exception. They’re comfortable and squat-proof, they stay up and there’s zero camel toe.
The side pocket on the leg is great for holding a phone as you exercise, and the fabric feels really soft against the skin. It’s also thick, making these ideal for colder weather.
There are zips at the bottom of each leg, which I did initially think would be annoying, but I actually didn’t notice them at all while exercising.
Lululemon undoubtedly makes some of the best leggings on the market. The price is steep but they’re soft and breathable, they fit well, the waistband never digs in and importantly, they wash well, so you’ll be wearing them for years to come.
The Align leggings are made specifically for lower-impact exercise. I wore them for an upper-body day at the gym and they stayed put, offering maximum comfort, while the high waist kept everything tucked in. These comfy leggings have four-way stretch, and I’d even go so far as to say they feel weightless. The hidden waistband pocket fits keys or a card.
A loud pair of leggings might not be to everyone’s taste, but if you like a print, then definitely give these a try. They’re super-flattering and the waistband is thick, with a slight V shape that helps to offer greater waist definition. The fast-drying fabric helps you stay cool and dry, and during the sweatiest sweaty gym workouts the print design helps to disguise any sweat patches as well as underwear lines.
The fabric feels soft and doesn’t move too much during a workout. I found these to be excellent value and they matched up to the high quality I’ve come to expect from New Balance.
These Asics leggings are ideal for those with long legs—you can be assured you won’t have a couple of inches of ankle showing. I found these tights a little tricky to get on because the waistband doesn’t offer much give but when I did eventually get them on, I struggled to find any real flaws.
The holes on the calf offer great breathability, and the handy side pockets are perfect for your phone, keys or cash. The leggings fit well and I found them flattering around the butt. There was a bit of sagging around the crotch but this wasn’t much of an issue. The high waistband is supportive and sweat-resistant, and comes with a drawstring tie cord for extra security. The fabric is made with at least 50% recycled materials, too.
If you’re looking for a pair of leggings that will keep you warm during chilly winter workouts, these are ideal because they’re much thicker than other leggings and offer more warmth. This might not be great if you’re doing a hot, sweaty indoor workout, but it’s perfect if you’re doing something low-intensity that might not be getting your heart rate so high. Although warm, they’re breathable and sweat-wicking, and the pockets on the leg are great for storing your phone or other essentials.
I loved the flattering high waist of these leggings which gives a smooth and shapely silhouette. Although they’re not cheap, these versatile leggings can be worn to the gym, out and about and on the trails. Wherever you are, these will do a great job at keeping you warm and letting you move comfortably.
CrossFit brand WIT has proven itself a reliable gym wear brand and because it’s all about functional movements, WIT kit is made to move in. These leggings are soft and lightweight and the fabric is never see-through. I love the supportive and flattering high waistband with contoured seams, although it is very tight so you might want to swerve these if you’re prone to feeling bloated, or go up a size. The mesh down the sides of the leggings helps air circulate and there are also pockets on both sides to stash away valuables.
While I struggled to get into these compression leggings, once they were on they ticked all the boxes. They’re super-comfortable, the fabric is soft knit and fast-drying, and they have mesh panels to help with ventilation. I liked the elastic at the bottom of the leg which stops them from riding up, and while they are not completely seamless (despite the name) fewer seams means even more comfort—and no camel toe.
I wore these during a HYROX training session, and they allowed me to move freely without anything budging, digging in or chafing. As with any leggings, light colors are more likely to show sweat patches.
The stitched Under Armour branding on the waistband is a nice design touch. Under Armour can usually be relied on to produce good-quality and fairly priced workout gear, and these leggings are a great addition to my gym wardrobe.
If you’re going to be spending some time wearing your kit before or after your workout, get a pair of these versatile leggings. They’re strong enough for strength sessions, but comfy enough to keep on while you’re working from home or grabbing a post-workout coffee. Not only is the fabric a see-through-free zone, it’s also made from at least 50% recycled polyester for those who want a more eco-friendly option.
The ultimate fusion of style and function, Sweaty Betty’s iconic Power leggings offer a compressive and quick-drying fabric, bum-sculpting seams, plenty of pockets, and no fewer than 24 colour and print options. They’re designed for every type of workout and come in two leg lengths. I can see why they’ve become an SB fan-club cult buy.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Lulus—if you can afford them the quality is appreciably better—and these tights tick all the boxes. Although they’re specifically created for yoga, we found them suitable for all exercise thanks to a seriously comfy fit, no annoying slippy waistbands, and the no-see-through fabric. They’re also incredibly soft, and continue to be so even after washing (which is often not the case with other leggings), plus they’re quick-drying, so you can hop to brunch after the gym without feeling damp.
If you want a more eco-friendly purchase, then opt for these super-soft leggings, made from recycled materials. They’re ideal for any workout from running to yoga. The high waist is flattering over the tummy without being too tight and the waistband lining also has a tiny little pocket—just right for keeping a key safe as you exercise or pop out to the shops. I love this blue shade. Plus I can confirm that they wash well.
The very high yet comfortable waist on these leggings is flattering and doesn’t dig in at all. These squat-proof leggings stay put no matter what movement you’re doing, including treadmill or outdoor running. They also wash well, maintain their shape and stretch and continually stay up—there’s none of the annoying slippage that can often occur in other leggings. They also have an antibacterial finish and genuinely don’t seem to smell post-workout. All-round winners in my book—these won’t let you down.
Designed to be worn during pregnancy, these leggings enable mums-to-be to exercise comfortably as their baby bump grows. The seamless high waistband fits comfortably around a bump without being too constrictive. Pockets are abundant in these leggings: there are side pockets on the thighs as well as a zip pocket at the back for small valuables. The fabric is lightweight and breathable so you won’t overheat, and it’s had an antibacterial treatment to keep smells at bay so there’s no need to wash these leggings after every single wear. The reflective detail helps you to remain visible when out and about—useful during the dark winter months.
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