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Pregnant mamas, look no further than our edit of the best maternity gym leggings
To keep you fit throughout your pregnancy
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With brain-melting fatigue and morning (plus noon and night) sickness to contend with, the first trimester of pregnancy can be a bit tricky when it comes to exercise. That said, the human body is pretty resilient and once the hormones start to settle, by the second trimester you might find you're bursting with energy and raring to go!
But, even if you're not operating at full speed, it is still beneficial to keep active throughout your pregnancy, which is where maternity gym leggings can help.
Gym leggings are an essential wardrobe item when it comes to working out, and believe it or not they shoot even higher up the must-have maternity wardrobe list. No matter how stretchy your current fitness kit might be, sooner or later you're going to start busting out of it thanks to a growing belly.
Best maternity gym leggings to shop now
In a hurry? Here are the quick links to the best maternity gym leggings. Keep scrolling for the full list...
Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?
First things first: provided you've been given the all-clear your from your GP or midwife, it is absolutely fine to exercise during pregnancy. While some mums-to-be will be running marathons right up until their waters break, others might prefer to do gentle yoga classes or walk to the cake shop – all of which is fine in our book. As long as you do what feels right for you and listen to both your body and your doctor/midwife, there's no right way to exercise during pregnancy.
'If you are healthy and your pregnancy is normal, it is safe to continue regular physical activity,' says Sarah Campus, a personal trainer and nutrition coach specialising in pre and postnatal fitness. 'Physical activity does not increase your risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, or early delivery.'
'If you were exercising before pregnancy it is safe to continue,' she adds. 'However, it's not advised to start anything new so opt for low-impact workouts such as swimming, cardio and yoga. You should also avoid high-impact activities like boxing, horse riding, skiing and abdominal crunching for now.'
Exercise during pregnancy benefits
According to Campus, participating in regular exercise during pregnancy is good for both you and the baby, and comes with the following benefits:
- Help with both labour and recovery
- Reduces backache
- Boosts your mood and energy levels
- Helps you sleep better
- Promotes muscle strength and tone
- Prevents excess weight gain
Shopping for maternity gym leggings
If you've already stocked up on a comfortable maternity sports bra and bump-friendly knickers, stretchy leggings will no doubt be next on your shopping list.
'Maternity leggings that are just the right fit around the belly and snug around the legs are an excellent investment for pregnancy,' says Campus. 'As long as your leggings are not too tight around your bump, they make the perfect comfort pants for daily wear. The compression element can also help combat varicose veins, which is a common side-effect of pregnancy.'
It goes without saying that comfort is key when it comes to antenatal activewear. But with so many maternity gym leggings to choose from, how do you know which ones to buy?
'Look for high, bump-hugging waists and enough supportive stretch to stay up without the need to pull up your waistband constantly – which is so annoying,' advises Campus. 'You want support without being too tight or restricting. Breathability and good quality, opaque fabrics that wash well are also essential as they will be on rotation. You want plenty of space for your bump to grow throughout the different stages of your pregnancy.'
We've rounded up the best maternity gym leggings on the market that fit the bill, so your growing bump will feel comfortable while you focus on your prenatal fitness routine/scoffing cake. Keep scrolling to shop now.
![Headshot of Rhalou Allerhand Headshot of Rhalou Allerhand](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/895d76ee-c55a-4805-ae6b-025e3d225006_1533136385.png?fill=1:1&resize=120:*)
Rhalou is a senior digital editor specialising in health and wellness with over fifteen years’ online and print publishing experience.
Rhalou has worked for various health platforms including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, Netdoctor, Women’s Running, Men’s Running, The Running Bug and Women’s Fitness.
Covering everything from sexual health to fitness, parenting, marathon running and self-care, Rhalou loves creating fun and accessible lifestyle content and feels strongly about demystifying complex medical jargon and empowering people to better understand their health.
Previously, Rhalou was a freelance social media specialist for several major sporting events and race listings including The London Marathon, Breca Swimrun, Findarace, The Westminster Mile and Prudential Ride 100. She has also been a reporter on a local newspaper in remote Scotland, penning breaking news stories about killer otters, cats stuck up trees and the Scottish hill racing scene.
Over the years, Rhalou has been lucky enough to run 15 marathons and even a few ultra-marathons. She is still a passionate runner, but these days she can mostly be found at her local parkrun or chasing after her young son.
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