Fashion and functionality. The leggings that give you both.
By Kennedy Miller
October 20, 2021
Image Credit: Courtesy of Tyler Nix for Unsplash
Over the past year, the demand for athleisure wear has skyrocketed, and many brands have struggled to keep products in stock. Lululemon made up for its temporary store closures during the pandemic by growing online sales by over 100% in a quarter.
After being confined to our homes and dressing from the waist up, many have been practically living in leggings. While comfort and style are important, many people look for other factors in leggings when working out. For most people, leggings must not only be fashionable but also functional. Nothing ruins a workout more than having to stop and fix leggings that won’t stay up.
Here are the best leggings that will keep you looking good and feeling great during your workout:
Lululemon:
Chances are you won’t step into a gym without seeing Lululemon leggings. Not only do they look good, but spending the extra money on these luxury leggings for your workouts may be well worth it.
Julia Jager, a senior public health major and group fitness instructor at Eppley Recreation Center, said Lululemon leggings are her favorite leggings to wear while teaching spin classes.
“My favorites are Lululemon Fast and Free leggings and Lululemon Wunder Train,” said Jager. “The main thing I look for especially for spin are leggings that will stay up when moving around the bike, these are the best,” she said.
For less intensive exercises, sophomore communications major Leah Kellert recommends Lululemon Aligns.
“I find that Lululemon Aligns are better for doing exercises with less intense movement, while other more complex styles are better for cardio and running,” Kellert said. “They are super breathable but also adjust to your body.”
Gymshark:
Social media influencers have been raving about Gymshark leggings for years. Turns out, they were telling the truth.
Senior marketing major Erika Waterhouse said, “I love Gymshark by far. They’re the best quality, not as expensive as Lululemon, and don’t have those pill marks like Lululemons.”
Waterhouse can be seen sporting the Training leggings or Adapt Camo Seamless leggings on her fitness Instagram account, @makanderi_fit.
Waterhouse said she started the account with her twin sister to promote strength and positivity for women who are intimidated by crowded weight rooms. Not only should you be confident in your workout, but you should have confidence in your leggings as well.
“When lifting, I always wear Gymshark because they never fall down and they’re fitted to the waist and squat proof,” said Waterhouse.
Fabletics:
Whether you run, lift or spin, Fabletics has something for everyone. After taking the lifestyle quiz on their website, Fabletics style experts tailor athletic wear outfits to best match your workouts and styles.
As a Fabletics VIP member, junior marketing major Caroline Martin finds something to purchase almost every month. Through the program, Martin receives a new workout outfit every month that’s tailored to her exact needs.
“I look for leggings that are soft, high-waisted and come in cute colors and patterns,” said Martin. “With Fabletics there’s something for everyone,” she added.
“Every month they personalize outfits for you based on your style preference, size, and exercise habits,” said Martin.
Amazon:
If you thought Amazon already had it all, think again. Popularized on TikTok, Amazon workout collections are gaining attraction. At half the cost of luxury products, many are comparing their workout leggings to those of high-end brands.
For example, multiple Amazon reviews contest that Colorfulkoala’s High-Waist Pattern Leggings and High-Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets are comparable to those of Nike, Fabletics, and Lululemon.
“I’ve tried on leggings from Target to Lululemon, and trust me, these are Lululemon tier leggings at a Target price point,” one reviewer wrote. “They hold perfectly but they’re not tight, they stretch but they are not see-through at all,” another said.
The quality leggings are buttery-soft, breathable, and squat-proof at just $25.
Plenty of things can ruin a workout, but your leggings shouldn’t be one of them. You don’t have to choose between fashion and function anymore with these leggings.
After being confined to our homes and dressing from the waist up, many have been practically living in leggings. While comfort and style are important, many people look for other factors in leggings when working out. For most people, leggings must not only be fashionable but also functional. Nothing ruins a workout more than having to stop and fix leggings that won’t stay up.
Here are the best leggings that will keep you looking good and feeling great during your workout:
Lululemon:
Chances are you won’t step into a gym without seeing Lululemon leggings. Not only do they look good, but spending the extra money on these luxury leggings for your workouts may be well worth it.
Julia Jager, a senior public health major and group fitness instructor at Eppley Recreation Center, said Lululemon leggings are her favorite leggings to wear while teaching spin classes.
“My favorites are Lululemon Fast and Free leggings and Lululemon Wunder Train,” said Jager. “The main thing I look for especially for spin are leggings that will stay up when moving around the bike, these are the best,” she said.
For less intensive exercises, sophomore communications major Leah Kellert recommends Lululemon Aligns.
“I find that Lululemon Aligns are better for doing exercises with less intense movement, while other more complex styles are better for cardio and running,” Kellert said. “They are super breathable but also adjust to your body.”
Gymshark:
Social media influencers have been raving about Gymshark leggings for years. Turns out, they were telling the truth.
Senior marketing major Erika Waterhouse said, “I love Gymshark by far. They’re the best quality, not as expensive as Lululemon, and don’t have those pill marks like Lululemons.”
Waterhouse can be seen sporting the Training leggings or Adapt Camo Seamless leggings on her fitness Instagram account, @makanderi_fit.
Waterhouse said she started the account with her twin sister to promote strength and positivity for women who are intimidated by crowded weight rooms. Not only should you be confident in your workout, but you should have confidence in your leggings as well.
“When lifting, I always wear Gymshark because they never fall down and they’re fitted to the waist and squat proof,” said Waterhouse.
Fabletics:
Whether you run, lift or spin, Fabletics has something for everyone. After taking the lifestyle quiz on their website, Fabletics style experts tailor athletic wear outfits to best match your workouts and styles.
As a Fabletics VIP member, junior marketing major Caroline Martin finds something to purchase almost every month. Through the program, Martin receives a new workout outfit every month that’s tailored to her exact needs.
“I look for leggings that are soft, high-waisted and come in cute colors and patterns,” said Martin. “With Fabletics there’s something for everyone,” she added.
“Every month they personalize outfits for you based on your style preference, size, and exercise habits,” said Martin.
Amazon:
If you thought Amazon already had it all, think again. Popularized on TikTok, Amazon workout collections are gaining attraction. At half the cost of luxury products, many are comparing their workout leggings to those of high-end brands.
For example, multiple Amazon reviews contest that Colorfulkoala’s High-Waist Pattern Leggings and High-Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets are comparable to those of Nike, Fabletics, and Lululemon.
“I’ve tried on leggings from Target to Lululemon, and trust me, these are Lululemon tier leggings at a Target price point,” one reviewer wrote. “They hold perfectly but they’re not tight, they stretch but they are not see-through at all,” another said.
The quality leggings are buttery-soft, breathable, and squat-proof at just $25.
Plenty of things can ruin a workout, but your leggings shouldn’t be one of them. You don’t have to choose between fashion and function anymore with these leggings.