With the sun finally poking its head out, we bet you’re more regularly reaching for a trusty pair of gym leggings that’ll effortlessly take you from park run to brunch. Plus, the lighter mornings and evenings are making us feel far more inclined to squeeze in that spin session, reformer pilates class, or lovely outdoor run.
When you feel your best, you perform your best – and investing in a pair of sports tights that don’t fall down, don’t turn see-through when you squat, and always flatter your figure is guaranteed to make you feel great. So, GLAMOUR writers have been hard at work finding you the best gym leggings to shop this season.
Of course, to the untrained eye, gym leggings can all look the same. But trust us when we tell you that they can vary wildly. It can be a little overwhelming to figure out what the best style, material, and colour is to invest in. After all, they’ll likely end up being one of the most worn and washed items in your wardrobe.
To make sure you pick a pair that truly delivers, we’ve sought advice from some experts, and whittled down a selection of the best gym leggings worth considering this season.
SKIP TO: What to look for in a pair of gym leggings | What’s the difference between yoga pants and gym leggings? | How to make your gym leggings last longer | How we tested | Our full reviews.
The best gym leggings at a glance:
- Best gym leggings for any and every activity: lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pant
- Best gym leggings for lifting weights: Sweaty Betty Power UltraSculpt High-Waisted Gym Leggings
- Best everyday gym leggings: TALA Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Legging
- Best affordable gym leggings: USA Pro High Rise Seamless Leggings
What the experts say to look for in a pair of gym leggings
While we’re all for the matching sets that the TikTok girlies don to grow their glutes, there’s a lot of science that goes into gym wear. From Lioness players to Olympians, sportswear designer Lily Rice has dressed some of the world’s best athletes — and she firmly believes that fit trumps everything when it comes to choosing your ultimate legging.
“You definitely want to try before you buy and don’t be afraid to pop a few squats and lunges before you purchase. Leggings should feel comfortable around the waist, too loose and you’ll be pulling at them after the first mile, too snug and you won’t be able to stomach wearing them again!” she says.
“An adjuster in the waist is a great asset as it helps personalise the fit. Check the fabric is thick enough that you feel supported and covered. A good test is to hold the leggings in your hands and stretch the fabric, if white starts to show or if you can see through it when given a gentle stretch, then that fabric is way too thin. Make sure the front crotch fits comfortably too, a gusset (the small panel of fabric you get in the crotch of some leggings) can benefit the fit but it’s not vital in seamless leggings.”
What’s the difference between gym leggings and yoga pants?
It’s worth noting here that you may have noticed our existing round up the best yoga pants. If so, you’re probably left wondering what on earth the difference is. Granted – the difference between the best yoga leggings and the best gym leggings is minimal – but, generally speaking, yoga pants are much softer while gym leggings are compressive and more supportive.
How do you make leggings last longer?
Only wash your leggings when you actually need to (read: when you’ve run a 10k in them; not when you’ve just sat on the sofa) – and don’t wash them at a temperature any higher than 30 degrees. Turn them inside out when you wash them, avoid fabric softener and refrain from putting them in the tumble drier. It’ll only turn them saggy.
From running your first 5K to unwinding in a yoga class, there are so many different ways to keep fit these days—so your leggings need to be versatile, long-lasting, and comfortable. Shopping writers Sophie and Ria have put their top picks through their paces, trying them in a variety of activities like running, spin classes, reformer pilates, barre, and good old-fashioned weight lifting in the gym.
Every pair of leggings that made it into this guide is guaranteed to be one that they’d be happy to recommend to a friend — and they’ve made sure to share why. Because if you feel and look good in your gym ‘fit, you’re bound to have a better workout (we think so anyway!).
After more workout content? Shop the best sports bras, best fitness trackers, best running trainers, and the shoes“>best weight-lifting shoes. And stay properly fuelled with the best protein powders and protein bars.
