A GREAT pair of leggings that fits and performs well can make the difference between an enjoyable fitness session and a mediocre one.
Being comfortable while you work out is paramount and the best gym leggings will make sure you get the most from your body without having to worry about overheating, saggy knees or waistbands rolling down.
Different sports need different leggings, so for running you want a fabric that allows your skin to breathe while wicking away moisture and delivering compression benefits. For a dance or spin class, a shorter length might suit to help keep you cool, while for yoga you want something looser, that allows you to move freely.
Then there’s personal preference: do you prefer mid-rise or high waisted? Do you need pockets for keys and a phone? Are you after full-length, cropped or 7/8 which sit just above your ankles?
Add to this the enormous range of colours available and you have the makings of a massive what-to-buy headache. So that’s where we come in.
Our reviewers have stretched, stepped and sprinted their way through a wide selection to come up with their favourites, so read on for our tried and tested opinions on the best gym leggings available in the UK right now.
After all, we could all do with a bit of extra help to get active at times!
High-Rise Pant
Goodmove Go Move High Waisted 7/8 Gym Leggings, £27.50 from M&S
Pros: Various pockets, hidden waist tie, quick-drying, perfect for exercise
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
These M&S leggings are everything you could want for the gym – they’re good looking, they fit well and they feel great on.
Practically speaking, the fabric wicks away moisture and is quick drying so they’re great for outdoor activities in rain or shine. I love the length too – 7/8 is an ideal length for summer as the weather heats up.
Best of all though are the pockets: there’s a zipped pocket on the back for your keys and a side pocket that’s large enough to accommodate your phone. These are great selling points as many leggings aren’t so well designed.
I’m not a fan of the centre crotch seam, but it’s not as bad as some I’ve tried. Overall I’m impressed with the Go Move leggings and will wear them again, not least because of the flattering fit and practical pockets.
Leg length: 7/8, Size range: 6-24, Other colours available? Yes, lavender grey and taupe, Fabric: 73% polyester, 27% elastane
Review by Lucy Atkins
Oner Active Effortless Leggings, £52
Pros: Compressive without being restrictive, bum-enhancing, flattering waistband, soft material, sweat-wicking
Cons: Sizing varies between colours, pricey, wear nude underneath
Rating: 5/5
I’ve been going to the gym for six years now, and during this time I’ve probably accumulated or tried over 40 pairs of leggings, but I can say with my hand on my heart that the Oner Active effortless leggings are the best gym leggings I have.
Effortless is the perfect name for them as they’re exactly that, effortless to wear to the gym.
While it looks simple, it features many flattering details that help enhance your gains, with subtle contouring around the thighs and glutes, and a scrunch bum that isn’t too in-your-face, yet, enhances and lifts the bum.
I’ve worn these leggings for traditional weightlifting movements like squats, bench presses and deadlifts, and also for more functional training movements like box jumps, kettlebell swings, and jumping lunges and they’ve never failed to slip during any movement while giving me support and also, making me look good.
The waistband also sits high and has a slight compression that doesn’t feel tight, although I do have to fold it down slightly as I have a shorter torso.
As a shorter person, I also love that they come in two lengths and I could easily hitch up the bottom of the leggings to fit around my ankles without any awkward bunching.
I own five or six different colours, with deep taupe, as pictured here, being one of my favourites as it’s squat-proof, although I have heard that this varies from colour to colour.
I’ve also heard that the sizing varies depending on the colour as the different dyes make the material tighter, so this is good to bear in mind when picking a shade although I do find them true to my size.
I would also recommend wearing nude underwear underneath these leggings as they’re made from a high-quality fine knit, so can be sheerer in certain areas.
Will I continue to buy them? It’s a big yes from me. They’re comfortable, super flattering and I’ve always hit a PB in them.
Leg length: 7/8 or Full, Size range: XS – XXL, Other colours available? Yes, 28 colours, Fabric: 52% Polyamide, 37% Polyester, 11% Elastane
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High-Rise Pant
lululemon Align High-Rise Pant, from £59 at lululemon
Pros: Lightweight and breathable, waistband doesn’t dig, but also stays put, super soft, easy to put on, comfortable, form-fitting and flattering, available in sizes UK 4 to 24, available in 18 colours
Cons: Will show VPL, if you’re wearing the wrong knickers
Rating: 4.5/5
These leggings feel amazing – they’re close fitting but very comfortable, with a silky soft finish. The waistband is supportive without being too tight so there are no unsightly bulging bits.
They were also the easiest of get on and off of all the leggings I tested and I would definitely wear these at home for relaxing, as well as for working out.
There’s a great range of colours and sizes, with something to suit all tastes.
Lululemon activewear is known for its high quality and these leggings are up there with the best of them. Make sure to wear seamless knickers with them though, to avoid a VPL.
Leg length: Full; Size range: UK 4 to 24; Colours available: 18 colours; Fabric: Nylon and lycra elastane
Review by Isabel Deibe
Fabletics Define PowerHold High-Waisted 7/8 Legging £69 for non-members at Fabletics
Pros: 23 different colour options, high compression, very flattering, sweat-wicking, chafe-resistant, UPF protection, pockets
Cons: Unlike the other Fabletics leggings, these don’t come in regular, short and tall
Rating: 4.5/5
These leggings from Fabletics offer freedom of movement with support as the PowerHold fabric delivers high levels of compression, so they’re ideal for a wide variety of activities.
The 7/8 is perfect for wearing with tube socks and the high-rise waist site exactly where I like it to sit: above the tummy button but not so high you look like Mickey Mouse.
And don’t worry about them being white – I never thought I would wear white leggings, but I love these. They’re not see-through or garish and they are very flattering. These leggings were one of my favourites.
That said, if they’re not for you then there are a total of 23 different colours to choose from.
Leg length: 7/8; Size range: XXS to 4X; Colours available: 23 colours; Fabric: Polyester and elastane
Review by Isabel Deibe
Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Legging, £54
Pros: Comfortable, supportive waistband, flattering design, contours glutes, soft material
Cons: Not as much compression as other leggings, pricey
Rating: 4.5/5
These are TALA’s bestselling leggings and for a good reason, they’re pretty near to perfection.
What strikes me about these leggings is that they’re one of the softest and lightest leggings available.
I’ve worn them for every exercise including weightlifting, running, conditioning, and cycling and they work for everything.
Even though there isn’t a high compression to these leggings, the waistband doesn’t fall down, even when doing a series of jump squats or wall balls. If you’re looking for a super-compressive pair of leggings, then I wouldn’t recommend these, but if you’re looking for an all-day-to-gym pair, I’d say buy them.
The lighter material also makes them a great choice for summer, and while it may vary from colour to colour, I’ve found that these leggings rarely get any dirt marks on them.
Plus, it’s super flattering on all body shapes with a high waistband and bum-enhancing design that’s more subtle but shows off your gains.
It’s slightly on the pricier side and if you have a shorter torso like me, you may have to fold the waistband down slightly, but it’s truly one of the best all-rounders for a pair of gym leggings, which is no easy feat.
Leg length: 27.5 inseam Size range: XS-XL, Other colours available? Yes, eight colours including grey, navy and brown, Fabric: 751% recycled polyamide, 38% recycled polyester and 11% elastane
Review by Natalie Chui
Tala SkinLuxe High Waisted Leggings, £59 from Tala
Pros: Comfortable, ultra-stretchy, back zip pocket for keys/phone, sustainably made
Cons: Front seam
Rating: 4/5
What I love about the Tala SkinLuxe leggings is they do not ride down when you’re exercising – unlike many others I have tried. It doesn’t matter if you’re stretching, squatting or running, they stay put.
The hold and support are excellent, but they’re really comfortable at the same time and feel like you’re wearing stretchy tights.
I also love the pocket on the back – it’s zipped so nothing will fall out and it’s big enough for your phone as well as your key.
They’re sustainable as they’re made from 75% recycled nylon and the fabric is super soft. However they have the dreaded vertical seam down the front – surely I can’t be the only person who doesn’t like this?
Leg length: Full or 7/8, Size range: 2XS-4XL, Other colours available? Yes, eight colours including green, pink and brown, Fabric: 76% recycled nylon and 24% LYCRA® SPORT
Review by Lucy Atkins
Adanola Ultimate Leggings, £39.99 from Adanola
Pros: Soft material, comfy for all-day wear, flattering design, no bunching or gaping, supportive through legs, no front seam
Cons: Waistband rolls down during high-impact exercise, had to fold to fit torso, branding logo style might not be for anyone
Rating: 4/5
If you’re looking for minimal, stylish leggings that can go from the gym to the coffee shop, then these Adanola leggings are a must.
I wore the leggings for everything: running, cycling, strength training and yoga. Unsurprisingly, I found them best for any mobility exercises as they’re super stretchy, and are possibly one of the stretchiest leggings I’ve tried.
When I put them on, the first thing that came to mind was how soft they felt and I didn’t have to expend any effort pulling them on as they felt comfortable around the thighs and waist.
Despite being soft, there’s also a slight compression which ensures that legs feel supported and that there’s no gaping at the waist.
While I did wear them for cycling and running, I wouldn’t recommend them for those sports as I found the waistband kept rolling down during high-impact exercise, especially any jumping, and I had to keep pulling them up.
As a petite person, I’ve also got a shorter torso, so I had to fold down the waistband to make it fit better. But the length fit my legs well, and even though it was a touch long, there was no bunching around the ankle.
I’m not a huge fan of branding so the logo on the back of the leggings isn’t my favourite feature, but I do love that there’s no front seam and I found the design very flattering.
The sheer versatility of the leggings makes it worth the money for me – I’ve worn them on coffee runs, and to gym sessions, and I will continue to wear them out and about.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XXS – XXXL; Colours available: 15 colours; Fabric: 70% nylon, 30% elastane
Review by Natalie Chui.
Gymshark Lift Contour Seamless, £50
Pros: Perfect for all leg movements, the waistband doesn’t fall down, super flattering
Cons: Can feel a little thick, sizing is on the tighter side
Rating: 4/5
Gymshark started out as a brand specifically for gymgoers who like to lift, and these are the ultimate leg day leggings.
Arguably, designed solely for weightlifting, the Lift Contour leggings are for those who like to show off their hard work and their main characteristic is the scrunch bum design that lifts and shapes the glutes.
I was impressed by the compression the high waistband had as it meant I didn’t need to readjust between sets and it didn’t slip while squatting or deadlifting.
It was surprisingly quite comfortable as the material has a soft touch and its seamless design rid of any possible irritation you might get.
I did find though that the material at times could feel slightly thick, so if you work out in a warehouse-style gym or colder settings these would be ideal.
I wore the red marl colourway and it was squat-proof, however, this may vary between colours.
While I also loved the way it looked on me, the sizing is also a little on the tighter side, so I wouldn’t suggest these if you’re looking to lounge in them for a long period before hitting the gym.
These are my leg day essentials and I managed to lift a 100kg deadlift the last time I wore them, so needless to say, these are my go-to for smashing PBs.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XXS – XXL; Colours available: Five colours; Fabric: 61% Nylon, 31% Polyester, 8% Elastane
Review by Natalie Chui.
MyProtein Power Leggings, £34
Pros: Sweat-wicking, versatile for all exercises, wide size range, affordable
Cons: Not as soft as expected, the waistband doesn’t stay up on long runs
Rating: 3.5/5
MyProtein has seriously been upping its game when it comes to gym wear and has recently launched several new designs that are perfect for hybrid athletes.
The Power leggings are a great example of a pair of leggings that’s good for doing it all, and I wore the cycling shorts version when I competed in Hyrox, a multi-sport event that includes running, lunging and burpees.
The leggings have a soft material that had more compression around the thighs than expected, but they didn’t feel restrictive and were quite comfortable to wear all day.
Plus, it comes with side pockets which hold my earphone case and keys snugly and don’t feel uncomfortable.
The logo is also made from silicon so there’s no chance of it fading over time as well.
I put these leggings through all exercises, including squats, deadlifts, lunges, box jumps, ski erg and more and found that they worked well to wick sweat and keep me cool.
However, a word of warning, if you’re treadmill running for over 30 mins or more, I do find that the waistband slightly falls down.
And while personally, I’m not a fan of a front seam design-wise, its black colourway does help to mask it.
I wear these when I head to the gym and want to do a session that includes a variety of exercises.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XXS – L; Colours available: None Fabric: 61% Nylon, 31% Polyester, 8% Elastane
Review by Natalie Chui.
Gym leggings are widely available at a range of retailers, both on the high street and online. Department stores, such as John Lewis and popular chains like M&S and Next all stock a range of styles and designs to suit different budgets.
Online the choice is even greater – and not just from sport retailers such as Adidas or Nike. Take a look at Amazon for a massive selection of fitness wear and check out the websites of brands you like to see their latest ranges and to be first in line for special offers and discounts.
We found the gym leggings we tested at:
