Recommended by experts and thoroughly tested by us, these are the best gym leggings for every activity
Which are the best women’s gym leggings? We’ve tested over a hundred pairs over the years, from the good to the bad and the alarmingly see-through. (We’ve also tested the best running shoes, the best exercise bikes and the best sports bras.) Athletic Legging
You may have noticed that people generally talk about good gym leggings in terms of what they don’t do – ie, fall down or bunch around your ankles – rather than what they do. The best pairs operate like a second skin, keeping you warm (but not too warm) if you’re training outside and cool if you’re in the gym, dry and comfortable. They offer a zero-distractions fit that allows you to focus on the exercise at hand.
Scroll down for our full reviews of this year’s best, followed by a guide to what to look for. But if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick look at the top five:
Look for versatility, sweat-wicking fabric and comfort, says Alex Boardman, physiotherapist for Aston Villa FC and county tennis player. Investing in a good pair which will do you for the gym, running, and various sports is worth its weight in gold. It’s also worth checking how ethically a pair of leggings were made. For example, Sweaty Betty and Tala are well known for using sustainable fabrics. An ethical brand minimises water use in production, packaging, empowers workers, ensures workers are paid living wage and does not use or test on animals.
Kate Rowe-Ham, a personal trainer who specialises in menopause and mid-life fitness, says: “I have a vast range of leggings but I really love Sweaty Betty. The reason they’ve nailed it is they have pockets, which feel solid when you run in them, and they last and wash well.”
Over the course of three years, the Telegraph Recommended team (Abigail and Rebecca) have tested countless pairs of gym leggings from every leading brand whilst running, cycling and strength training.
We like: the quality of the fabric means they stay good as new for a long time
We don’t like: the price tag
My years-long quest for the very best gym leggings came to a close when I tried this pair. The fabric is soft, stretchy and effective at wicking sweat, and they are perfectly high-waisted. They’re designed for medium to high-intensity gym training. I find they work well for running and cycling, too, but would also recommend the lululemon Align leggings for yoga, or the Fast and Free leggings if running is your primary sport (review below).
They’re totally opaque and have a flattering, slightly matte finish that’s soft to the touch. The fit is slightly compressive, with minimal seams and a wide waistband that makes me feel confident but not constricted.
A concealed waistband pocket has space for keys, but not for a phone. The only downside is the price tag. They’re expensive – but if you’d rather splash out on one pair of leggings to do it all, they can’t be beaten. The quality of the fabric means they last well; mine are still as good as new, and I wear them almost daily.
We like: they’re the most supportive we tried
We don’t like: they’re not as comfortable as other leggings because the material is so thick
If you somehow missed the memo, Gymshark has been hailed as a revolutionary gymwear brand, founded by Ben Francis, then aged 20, from his parents’ garage. These seamless high-waisted leggings are their bestseller, and I’d be willing to bet that if you look closely at the weights section in the gym you’ll be able to spot at least three pairs per visit.
The fabric is thicker than lots of gym leggings, and more supportive, so it gives you a very smooth silhouette and a “sucked in” feeling round the waist. They’re totally seam-free, which means they’re very comfortable to wear and don’t dig in. The leggings come in a range of gym-selfie-friendly bright and pastel colours and are well-suited to strength training, gym workouts, yoga and pilates. However, if running is your primary sport, these might be too warm for you, although the fabric is excellent at sweat-wicking.
We like: the buttery softness of the material
We don’t like: the cut won’t suit shorter people
Before trying these leggings, I only associated Peloton with fancy treadmills and cheesy American coaches. Oh how that has changed.
I’m always on the lookout for the perfect legging - one that’s soft as Lululemon Aligns and as practical as Gymshark. I’ve finally found it in these Peloton Cadent leggings. They’re made from 71 per cent polyester and 29 per cent spandex, meaning they’re super stretchy but still thick enough to be squat proof - and they actually stay up. I’ve been running in them in the heat and I’m glad to report they’re also breathable, although I do think I’ll invest in the Cadent shorts (£52).
The pockets, one on either side, are big enough to fit my phone, earphone case and cardholder, which is useful for the gym. There’s also an additional smaller card pocket at the back.
I’m usually a black leggings kind of person, but I love the fun neon orange pop stitch running down the outside of each leg. Unlike other soft leggings, they haven’t pilled after several washes, which I’m very impressed by. The medium compression also means they’re flattering and I feel confident while wearing them.
Yes, at full price, £90 is a lot, but for the quality and versatility of the Peloton Cadent Legging, I think it’s worth the treat.
Best gym leggings with pockets, 9/10
We like: there are outside and secret inner pockets
We don’t like: they’re not very versatile
All hail Nike, who have developed a pair of leggings with full-sized pockets – and one on each leg at that. The left side pocket even has an additional secure zip pocket, which fits keys or a small purse. The bigger pockets easily store my iPhone 11, a bigger wallet, lip balm and hand cream – all the essentials. They’re also super compressive, so the pockets don’t bulge.
Thankfully, these leggings are impressive performance-wise as well. They’re a tight fit, so I’d recommend ordering a size up if you’re on the cusp of two sizes. That’s no bad thing. If I intend to use leggings for gym workouts, I’d rather they were tighter than the more lax designs of yoga and leisure designs.
The material is buttery-soft, but the waistband is thick and double layered for compression with an inner draw-string. Most importantly, they’re squat-proof, so you can go to town in the gym without feeling self-conscious. I did find these Nike Go leggings slightly too rigid for yoga workouts (I prefer the Nike One Luxe leggings for that), so avoid if you’re looking for a versatile pair. But if you’re exclusively a gym rat, they’re the perfect option.
We like: quality of dedicated activewear brands on the high-street
We don’t like: lack of colour range
These are the best gym leggings on the high street, hands down. They have sleek, smoothing fabric that feels expensive, black or printed options and a phone-sized pocket. The best part is that they’re affordable without compromising on quality – in fact, Marks and Spencer’s Goodmove range is one of the best choices on the high street for budget workout wear.
They’re also totally opaque and pass the squat test with flying colours. A high waistband and every so slightly cropped leg (68cm on a size 12) ensures a distraction-free fit.
We like: they suit both gym workouts and running
We don’t like: the lighter colours occasionally show sweat marks
These leggings are supremely comfortable, with a wide, high waistband and lightweight, superbly sweat-wicking fabric that feels like a second skin. They’re lightly compressive and flattering without being too thick; the soft, stretchy material is suitable for any sport, which you could argue justifies the price tag – and they sell a pair every 60 seconds. They impress on the pocket front, too, with roomy phone-sized pockets on either side and a third zipped key-size pocket on the waistband.
They wick sweat away effectively, although they’re not entirely immune to showing sweat marks if you put them through their paces with especially intense exercise – this does depend on which colour or pattern you choose, and I’ve personally never found it a problem.
The seams around the back have been designed to sculpt the bum, a technique favoured by physiotherapist Alex Boardman who says, “I prefer a pair with more of a contour structure to them, they fit better round the waist.”
We like: how lightweight and quick-drying they are
We don’t like: we’re not sure you can justify selling leggings for more than £100
Yes, another lululemon pair, but the Fast and Free leggings are more than worthy of a mention. If you want to feel like you’re (nearly) running in nothing at all, these light, quick-drying leggings are the pair you need. The fabric is smooth, stretchy and so light it’s nearly weightless. They’re the Swiss army knife of gym leggings, with no less than five waistband pockets (for house keys, card, energy gels, etc) and two drop pockets that are phone-sized. The price is eye-watering, but if you’re a regular runner it’s an investment worth making.
Best leggings for running in the dark
We like: the reflective detailing which is great for visibility at night
We don’t like: they’re quite thick
If you work 9-5 and still want to run, the only time you can do it is after work. In summer, you can run until 10pm and it will still be light, but in the depths of winter it’s dark by 4pm. Wearing reflective clothing in the dark is important for making sure other people and cars can see you.
For that reason, I tried these leggings from Castore, best known for being worn by Andy Murray. The Onyx Prism has reflective detailing for safety and visibility while running at night. They’re also equipped with a pocket for your phone and keys, ankle-zips for easy removal and a corded waistband.
I did find the material quite thick, so these should probably be reserved for winter. They’d benefit from mesh detailing for added breathability and stretch. Other than that, they’re brilliant at what they do and wearing them makes me feel much safer running in the dark.
We like: the transparency of the production process
We don’t like: they ride down during cardio
Tala joined the scene in 2019 when fitness influencer Grave Beverley (screen name Grace Fit) found a gap in the market for sustainably made activewear that wasn’t extortionately priced. Four years later, Tala is a leading fitness brand with complete transparency about materials used, the origins of clothes and worker’s rights.
This pair of Dayflex leggings is made from 75 per cent recycled nylon and 25 per cent lycra sport. It’s a winning combo because these are the softest pair of leggings I own. They’re also squat-proof – although I do find they fall down if I’m doing cardio or playing sport.
I was glad to find a secret inner pocket which can fit keys. They’re also seamless for extra comfort. These Dayflex leggings are perfect for the gym and yoga workouts – though, if you want an all-rounder, I’d opt for their Skinluxe range.
We like: they easily transition from gym to sofa
We don’t like: the quality isn’t as good as others (semi-excusable, given the low price)
An icon for a reason, the Three Stripes from Adidas are a soft, simple pair of leggings you can wear for both sports and lounging around the house. They lack the fancy tech found in the likes of Gymshark, Nike and Lululemon, but you wouldn’t expect that at the £25 price point.
The quality also isn’t as high as the other leggings on this list, and previous Adidas leggings I’ve owned have ripped after a few months. I also wouldn’t reach for them for high intensity gym workouts as they’re not wholly squat-proof, so save them for arm days.
The Three Stripes leggings won’t win any prizes, but they’re a versatile, reliable pair of leggings when on a lower budget.
Although you may (understandably) balk at the idea of spending £80 or more on a pair of leggings for the gym, it is worth going as premium as you can afford as you get tangibly better fabric at a higher price point. Fabric quality is imperative for all athletic wear, but especially so for leggings. Cheaper fabrics have less stretch and staying power so they’re more likely to slip down, chafe and go baggy.
“I would spend up to £50 for a good pair, and always keep an eye on sales,” says physiotherapist Alex Boardman. “I like a versatile pair that fit well and have a breathable element, so I can wear them both for tennis and the gym.” That means they need to be squat-proof, Alex says: the universally accepted test for whether the fabric is fully opaque is to do a squat in a pair of gym leggings and check that they don’t go see-through.
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