I've tested 25+ pairs of gym leggings so you don't have to

While we, too, enjoy a matching set, there's a lot of science that goes into activewear, as confirmed by sportswear designer Lily Rice, who has dressed some of the world’s best athletes. She firmly believes that fit trumps everything when it comes to choosing your ultimate leggings: “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! An adjuster in the waist is a great asset as it helps personalise the fit.

She continues: "Check that 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.”

For Catie Marshall, Head of Design at TALA, her first focus is always fabric. "When you’re choosing gym leggings, start with how the fabric feels. You want a hand feel that’s soft and comfortable enough that you actually want to wear them on repeat.

“Next, check for stretch and shape retention. Good leggings should stretch with you but still recover properly and hold their shape over time. Finally, pay attention to the seams. Soft, high-stretch, low-profile seams with strong stitching make a huge difference for comfort and preventing rubbing, particularly in high-movement workouts.”

You might have noticed that we've rounded up the best yoga pants, too. But you're probably wondering what the difference between the two is. Granted, it's minimal, but generally speaking, yoga pants are softer, while gym leggings tend to be compressive and more supportive.

“They’re designed to cope with sweat, stretching and repeated movement, so the fabric and construction tend to be much more technical,” details Catie. “You’ll usually see stronger stretch and recovery, more considered seam placement, and a waistband that stays put without rolling down. Overall, it’s the combination of technical fabric, supportive fit and flexibility details that sets them apart.”

It's not quite as simple as prioritising them for a month's worth of workouts — although this is where I tend to start. After calling in a sample from a brand, I wear each pair of gym leggings multiple times — both to workout classes and to the gym. For context, this month I attended four weight classes at F45, ran 180 kilometres, and completed multiple SHREDDY arm workouts.

After wearing a pair for a minimum of three workouts, I review them against the following criteria:

For the pairs I haven't personally tested, I called on my fellow Glamour writers and editors — specifically, Sophie Cockett, Georgia Trodd, Karina Marriott, Ria Wolstenholme and Felicity Hayward. But you can read more about how we test here.

Sophie Cockett and Georgia Trodd testing activewear in and around Covent Garden…

ROMINA INTROINI

… including gym leggings, running jackets and gym trainers.

ROMINA INTROINI

Unsurprisingly, only the gym leggings that impressed made it into this edit. Sadly, the following didn't make the cut:

• CRZ YOGA Womens Butterluxe No Front Seam Yoga Leggings 25, £31 on Amazon — While the price point of these high-waisted leggings was a major perk, they would not stop sliding down, even when I sized down. They also weren't especially compressive, and so are probably best suited to lounging rather than working out.

In terms of what I'm currently testing, stay tuned for these reviews:

3-Stripes Leggings

£30 £24 (20% off)

adidas

Lifting Dipped Waistband Leggings

£45 £13.50 (70% off)

Gymshark

Crossover Regular Flared Leggings

£45 £22.50 (50% off)

Gymshark

Go Move High Waisted Gym Leggings

£28

Marks & Spencer

I've been reviewing activewear and wellness launches, including sports bras, underwear for working out and running trainers, for almost three years — that's one year at Women's Health and 19 months at Glamour. During that time, I've seen countless trends and advancements, as well as a boom in our options.

But to ensure I am an authority on sports gear and functional fashion, I regularly attend press launches, read the latest journals and interviews, and chat one-on-one with sportswear designers, personal trainers and sportwear brand founders, asking for their expert insight and shopping tips.

In terms of my experience working out and running, I'm favour hybrid trainer. I used the first lockdown to complete Couch to 5K and ran my first half-marathon 12 months after that. To date, I've completed both the Manchester Half Marathon and the Royal Parks Half, and am set to take on the latter again this October, where I'm aiming for a PB. As a result, I run three to four times a week, and favour interval training over Fartlek, and a flat route over hills (shock). But I also try to squeeze in one weighted HIIT class at 1Rebel and F45 each week, which is where I tested many of these gym leggings.