The best gym leggings for every shape and style

Gym leggings are a go-to not only for working out but for comfort too. When you’re working out at the gym, you want to feel your best so you can power through your session and achieve your fitness goals. But there’s nothing worse than wearing gym clothes that make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. The biggest culprit for this? Gym leggings.

Gym leggings that are see-through, fall down at the waist, lose their elasticity in the wash, or fit awkwardly to your body shape are the worst, especially considering most come with a higher price tag than your other workout clothes. While there are plenty of gym legging styles and brands on the market, sadly not all are created equal.

To help find the best gym leggings for you, we've pulled together a list of the best from top brands, reviewers’ favourites, and ones we’ve tried and tested ourselves.

At Yours, we want you to feel confident as you move, so we’ve found the best for every type of gym legging: high-waisted, cropped, sustainable, size-inclusive, squat-proof, ‘no-leak’, and more.

Best gym leggings

How do I choose gym leggings?

If you don’t already have a style or certain requirements in mind, there are some key factors that will help to narrow down to exactly what you want.

Size

Most importantly, you need your gym leggings to fit! Check the brand’s size guidelines before buying as sizes can differ across brands (infuriating, we know). We’d also recommend checking the reviews of customers, as this will give you an indication if you need to size up or down.

Material

Most workout leggings are made from synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon, due to their sweat-wicking properties and ability to stretch. They dry out quickly, aren't susceptible to over-stretching, and are lightweight. You may also see the addition of Spandex, Lycra, or elastane, which puts the stretch into your workout gear.

For lighter activities like yoga, you could probably get away with cotton leggings, which are breathable and comfortable. However, as they do absorb moisture, they aren't really suited to heavy workouts.

Style

This is completely down to preference with so many choices available. From experience and exploring the market, high-waisted leggings are the most popular and are more supportive. If you’re petite or have shorter legs, you may want to either opt for petite gym leggings, or leggings 7/8 in length.

Budget

Leggings can really vary in price, so if you have a budget, try to stick to it! We've included leggings from a range of price points, with prices between £9.99 and £108.

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