WE know too well the struggle of finding the best gym leggings.
They are supposed to be comfortable to work out in – no one should have to suffer see-through faux pas’ or chafing mares.
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As an exercise staple, leggings need to be comfortable, breathable, and flattering (please no knicker-showing pairs). The best activewear is an encouragement in itself.
Whether you need an ultra-flexible pair to downward dog in, or a moisture-wicking gem for those at-home HIIT workouts, great gym leggings come in handy for so many different needs.
As athleisure has become a daily go-to for a lot of women, leggings now accessorise more than just yoga classes.
Their skintight silhouette, and flattering body-shaping effect is what makes them so irresistible as casual wear.
From blackout pairs to control pants, we’ve rounded up the best gym leggings for women below. These styles will make you want to work out straight away. You're welcome.
1. Best pink gym leggings for women: Gymshark's Training 7/8 Leggings
- Training 7/8 Leggings, £25 from Gymshark – buy here
We couldn't have a best gym leggings roundup without mentioning Gymshark, could we?
Gymshark has shot up in popularity in recent years and it's easy to see why: their leggings are flattering, comfortable and affordable—what's not to love?
We've got our eye on the training style which comes in a beautiful choice of hues including this bold shade of hot pink.
2. Best cropped leggings: Lululemon's Fast and Free Crop II 19" Non-Reflective
- Fast and Free Crop II 19" Non-Reflective leggings, £69-£98 from Lululemon – buy here
Developing technologies mean there's an ever-increasing choice of fabrications out there when it comes to leggings: ever heard of Nulux?
We hadn't either, but according to athletic brand, Lululemon, it's the lovechild of nulu and luxtreme—making it great for high-friction workouts like running, as it has a slightly slicker feel to nulu alone.
Promising a barely-there feeling and weightless coverage, these leggings are not only perfect for runners but they look great too, in a choice of five shades to suit your style.
3. Best bum-enhancing gym leggings: Alo Yoga's High-Waist Airbrush Legging,
- High-Waist Airbrush Leggings, £58 from Alo Yoga – buy here
Boasting amazing reviews, Alo Yoga's High-Waist Airbrush Leggings promise to sculpt, smooth and lift! Everything we ever wanted for our butt!
At under £60, they're designed to mould to every figure with flat-locked seams for comfort and high waistline for a simultaneously secure and sculpting fit.
There are twelve colours to choose from including Macaron Pink and Blue Quartz. Black is always a winner though.
4. Best funky gym leggings: BAM's High Waist 7/8 Enduro Bamboo Leggings
- High Waist 7/8 Enduro Bamboo Leggings, £49 from BAM – buy here
If you're looking for gym leggings that are not only funky and breathable, but also sustainably made, you'll love these leggings from BAM, made from bamboo.
Bamboo fabric is antibacterial and highly sweat-absorbent, making it ideal for activewear. These leggings from the new BAM range feature a higher waistband for improved comfort and support, as well as promising a sleeker, chafe-free fit.
We've tried a pair of leggings from BAM previously and found them to be fantastic quality, with a snug and supportive fit, so you can expect good things from this groovy-printed pair.
5. Best leopard print gym leggings: Tikiboo Neon Leopard Leggings
- Tikiboo Neon Leopard Leggings, £37.99 from Tikiboo – buy here
These fun and vibrant leggings are made from moisture-wicking fabric and have flat-lock seams for maximum comfort.
Cut from silky soft Lycra fabric, they're high-waisted with an elasticated drawstring waist to ensure a great fit for every body shape.
The best bit? There's even a matching bra. Let's make Carole Baskin-chic happen.
6. Best seamless leggings: Boux Sport Contour marl seamless leggings – Coral
- Boux Sport Contour Marl Seamless Leggings – Coral, £35 from Boux Avenue – buy here
First of all, how gorgeous is the peachy pink Coral of Boux Avenue's leggings?
Fitted with a four-way stretch, this high-waisted style prides itself on giving you a smooth silhouette.
They look best teamed with the matching crop top. Treat yourself.
7. Best high-waisted gym leggings: MP Women's Power Colour Block Leggings
- MP Women's Power Colour Block Leggings, £36 from Myprotein – buy here
Manchester-based sports nutrition brand, Myprotein, doesn't just specialise in powders and shakes: it has a brilliant range of sportswear.
Pure black, but for the striking pink and red colour block running across the legs – this affordable pair of leggings is chic but…just a little a bit different.
Meanwhile the quick-drying fabric is treated with a hydrophilic finish, which absorbs sweat and draws moisture away from the body—ideal for heavy workouts.
8. Best black gym leggings: TALA Zinnia Leggings
- Zinnia legging, £40 from TALA – buy here
If sustainability is what you look for in your activewear then TALA could be your new fave shopping destination.
They design and make their sportswear (and casualwear) from recycled plastic bottles and factory off-cuts, whilst promoting body positivity with flattering fits. Yay.
We tried out a pair of black Zinnia leggings, and immediately noticed how thick and opaque the fabric was. No VPLs here.
Normally a size 12-14, we tried them out in a size Medium and it's worth mentioning that they were a little on the snug side.
We didn't mind this too much as it meant that they didn't budge when we were sprinting around in them, but if you're between sizes or prefer a roomier fit, then we'd suggest going a size up.
Overall, we found them to be really comfortable, pretty flattering and forgot we were wearing them whilst working out – which we'd say is a good sign.
Plus, it's always nice to feel like you're helping the environment out by shopping sustainably.
9. Best plus-size gym leggings: Nike Training Pro Plus Size Tights
- Nike Training Pro Plus Size Tights, £35 from JD Sports – buy here
Nike have our back with their fabulous plus size range – we're loving the Training Pro Plus Size Tights, available at JD Sports.
Our favourite feature? Definitely the logo waistband, matching the subtle Nike tick on the leg that everyone instantly recognises.
Black is the most versatile of gym-wear staples. Take with that what you will.
10. Best gym leggings with pockets: Power High-Waisted Gym Leggings
- Power High-Waisted Gym Leggings, £75 from Sweaty Betty – buy here
Brand new to Sweaty Betty's iconic range of leggings, the Power High-Waisted Gym Leggings are a must-have for shaping your figure, and stocking secret handy pockets on either side.
Complete with moisture-wicking fabric, a bonded ultra-high waist band and squat-proof density, these leggings are fit for both high and low intensity workouts.
The pockets are so good that once your phone or keys are safely inside, you don't even notice them as you run. Ideal.
11. Best petite gym leggings: ASOS 4505 Petite Icon Legging
- ASOS 4505 Petite Icon Legging with Bum Sculpt Seam Detail, £18 from ASOS – buy here
ASOS' 4505 Petite Icon leggings are here to brighten up your day, sporting a zesty orange shade.
They're equipped with sculpting seams, one slip pocket, and breathable mesh panels – enough to make them a staple in your sportswear wardrobe.
For our short queens out there, these are cut with a shorter leg as part of ASOS' Petite range, made for smaller women.
12. Best cheap gym leggings: M&S's Cropped Gym Leggings
- Go Move Cropped Gym Leggings, £19.50 from M&S – buy here
Black leggings are a versatile must, whether you’re going for a relaxing jog or going hard at the gym – especially when they’re less than £20! Thank you M&S.
These cropped leggings are high waisted, so they’re extra supportive, but that also means you can team them with a sports bra and not feel too exposed.
In moisture-wicking fabric, you’ll stay a normal temperature when working out and the quick dry design will keep you feeling fresh.
13. Best maternity gym leggings: Gap's Maternity Low Rise Capri Leggings,
- Maternity Low Rise Capri Leggings, £14.95 from Gap – buy here
It's annoying having to splash out on a maternity wardrobe because you're only pregnant for nine months, which is why we're loving Gap's Maternity Low Rise Capri Leggings, priced at under £15.
Cut from soft rayon knit, these snug leggings feature a low-rise waist, so you won't feel suffocated or hot trying to squeeze your belly into a restrictive high-waisted pair.
At such a low price, you can't go wrong with basics like these for chilling out, working out, and likely everything in-between.
14. Best grey gym leggings: Gymshark Womens Vital Seamless Leggings
- Gymshark Womens Vital Seamless Leggings, £40 from Gym Shark – buy here
Gymshark's leggings always help you get that moulded silhouette with snug comfort, and the Vital Seamless Leggings are no exception.
They've got contouring patterns, sweat-wicking fabric, and the supportive ribbed waistband is high waist, which will work so well with cropped gym tops.
Grey is another trusty shade that goes just as well with bright colours like orange and pink as it does with dark tones like khaki and black.
15. Best mesh gym leggings: Reebok Workout Ready Mesh Training Leggings
- Reebok Workout Ready Mesh Training Leggings, Black, £35 from John Lewis – buy here
Mesh leggings not only add ventilation as your work up a sweat, they also look pretty cool too. John Lewis stock Reebok's take for £35.
Decorated with mesh panels down each leg, this is a breathable design, built with speed-wick fabric.
Not only are they stylish sportswear, these leggings are also made from recycled polyester which is a great reason to buy them if you ask us.
16. Best vegan gym leggings: Organic Basics's SilverTech™ Active Leggings
- SilverTech™ Active Leggings, £71 from Organic Basics – buy here
If buying consciously is at the forefront of your mind when shopping, sustainable brand Organic Basics is a brilliant place to start, with eco-friendly leggings built to stand the test of time.
Ethically made from recycled nylon, these leggings are treated with a safe, recycled silver salt called Polygiene which stops the growth of bacteria on the fabric.
They also come PETA 'Vegan Approved', which ensures they are cruelty-free and don't contain any animal products.
17. Best lightweight gym leggings: Under Armour's HeatGear® Armour Hi-Rise Leggings
- HeatGear® Armour Hi-Rise Leggings, £42 from Under Armour – buy here
You can always rely on HeatGear® by Under Armour to provide technologically enhanced exercise get-up.
These flattering high-rise leggings are made from the brand’s specially-designed performance fabric which both wicks sweat away and dries fast – keeping you cool and dry during gym sessions.
With a slight sheen to the black colour tone, they’re also an extra sleek option. So slide into these and show ‘em who’s boss.
What are gym leggings made of?
Your gym leggings can be made of different fabrics.
The best one for you will depend on your personal preference and your favourite type of exercise.
The most popular leggings fabrics include cotton, polyester and nylon among others.
Cotton is usually a very soft and breathable fabric, making it suitable for those looking for something comfy to wear at the gym.
Bear in mind that it doesn't always hold up well to stretching and absorbs moisture, so it's better fitted to low-sweat workouts or gentler activities like yoga.
Polyester is known for its sweat-wicking properties making it ideal for those who love cardio. Less breathable than cotton, it can harbour smells so it needs to be washed on a regular basis.
This bring us to Nylon, a lightweight material that dries very quickly meaning it can stand out to the sweatiest of workouts.
It does have a tendency to shrink, so make sure you wash it a the right temperature.
Why do my gym leggings ride down?
If your leggings are falling down, it might be due to a few things.
The simplest explanation is that you've picked the wrong size for you.
If your tights are loose and baggy around your crotch area, then try a size down or two. Excessive fabric in that area might cause chafing.
You can also try a higher waisted legging, which might be more appropriate to your body type.
Your leggings might also be sliding down because they are worn out and the elastic band is losing its elasticity.
Invest in a pair that ensures non-stretching in the wash and pick up detergent made for activewear to make your leggings last longer.
How tight should gym leggings be?
Again this will largely depend on your favourite activity.
If you're a runner or you like high-intensity training, it's best to choose leggings that feel like a second skin.
This means they should feel comfortable but relatively tight around your calves and tights.
If you notice a bit of your belly spilling out over the waistband, it probably means your leggings are too tight and you should move a size up.
Those who practice yoga might opt for softer fabric – like cotton – which hugs the body without being too restrictive.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best gym leggings for women? Then you may also like our selection of the best sports bras on the market.
We've created Sun Selects so you could find the best items when shopping around the web.
If you want to check more of our sport-related recommendations, visit Sun Selects' health and fitness page.
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