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16 best high-waisted gym leggings to shop now
It's time to find your perfect gym buddy...
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Whether you choose high-waisted gym leggings to feel confident that everything's going to stay in place as you squat, lunge and burpee, or you like to pair them with a cute crop top, or – if like us – you've come to find that above the navel is the ONLY way to go for comfort, we've rounded up the very best high-waisted leggings that are on the market RN – go, go, go.
A quick note before we dive in: if you've stumbled upon this edit but are actually looking for the best gym leggings with pockets, yoga leggings or running leggings then no fear, we've got you covered there too. But if you're set on taking that waistband higher, then read on.
Why do my high-waisted leggings roll down?
We hear you. It’s a common problem that basically comes down to sizing, fit and quality. If your high-waisted leggings are too big, once you get moving they’ll struggle to grip your torso and can wriggle down. Equally, if they're too small the fabric can dig in (comfort is key) or start to fold over.
Every body is different, so to find the perfect fit opt for something that sits at least an inch or two above your belly button and feels secure, but not restrictive. Also look out for high-waisted gym leggings that have concealed ties that can be adjusted to provide extra support. Snug.
Women’s Health Lab Approved
We put a selection of leggings from leading brands through their paces in the Women’s Health Lab - you'll see them below stamped with our trusty WH Lab logo.
The logo means over 100 women wore one of the 46 styles we tested, reporting on their performance, design and comfort. Each style was worn by up to seven people who worked out in them over a four-week period, for a full picture of what was hot and what was not.
In the WH Lab, we also tested how well they went through the washing machine (looking for damage or shrinkage) and how accurate any sweat-wicking claims were (ie how quickly did the fabric dry, and how much moisture did it absorb?). Combined with our editors' favourites, there’s sure to be a design or two that’ll catch your eye below.
Abigail is WH’s former fashion assistant who joined the team after graduating with a MA in Journalism at City, University of London. She’s a journalist and activewear enthusiast who takes the quest to find the perfect pair of high-waisted gym leggings very seriously. While she's not working, she can usually be found attempting over-ambitious recipes on a weeknight and planning how she could become the next Nigella (in her dreams).
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.
She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.
Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
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