Finding a great pair of high waisted gym leggings can be instrumental in making you actually want to work out. Call us fickle, but there’s nothing that can inspire a trip to the gym quite like swanky new gym clothes, and the best high waisted leggings reign supreme as the number one item deserving of a spot in your gym bag.
Able to make you feel comfortable, supported and confident like no other, high waisted gym leggings are the only way to go. If you’ve ever done a round of squats/burpees/lunges only to find your waistband sagging down at your hips, you’ll know what we’re talking about. We’re not about a low-rise round here.
But not all high waisted gym leggings are made equal and with a plethora of activewear available on the high street and online, how do you know where to start? Some pairs might claim to offer tummy control and sky-high waistbands that don’t dig in when you sweat – but they don’t all actually deliver. So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to test a whole bunch of high-waisted leggings that’ll look just as cute with a Nike cropped top at brunch as they will your sports bra when you’re spinning.
The result? A curated edit of the créme de la créme of high waisted gym leggings, tested by GLAMOUR editors in the most rigorous of workouts. Compression leggings largely and all buttery soft, this lot feel great, flatter every figure and stay glued in place no matter how long your class. What’s more, most of these high-waisted leggings have added benefits like stellar sweat-wicking abilities, four-way stretch or even pockets for your phone. Lululemon, Nike, Gymshark, we thank you. Our workouts have officially been levelled-up.
The best gym leggings 2023 at a glance:
- Best high waisted gym leggings overall: lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pant with Pockets 28″, £98, Lululemon
- Best budget high waisted gym leggings: Go Move Printed High Waisted Gym Leggings, £27. 50, M&S
- Most sustainable high waisted gym leggings: Enduro Bamboo Deep Waistband Leggings, £55, Bamboo Clothing
- Best high waisted gym leggings for running: Fast and Free High-Rise Tight 25″, from £48, Lululemon
- Best plus-size high waisted gym leggings: adidas Training Plus Aeroknit leggings with Branded Waistband, £19. 35, ASOS
How we tested the best high waisted gym leggings
From dedicated fitness brands such as lululemon and Sweaty Betty to high street favourites M&S, we’ve put these high waisted leggings to the test. Whether working up a sweat in a spin class or HIIT session, taking them out and about on a morning jog, or joining a virtual yoga class from the comfort of our own homes. We’ve worn them round the supermarket on the weekly food shop, and even spent lazy Sunday afternoons lounging around in them. It was tough, especially that last one, but we were glad to do it to provide a curated edit of the best high waisted gym leggings.
