Best Workout Leggings in 2026: 7 Picks for Every Type of Workout

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Andi Grant

Andi Grant has spent years looking at style from both sides of the camera. After more than 15 years as a professional model, she now brings her eye for fit, styling, and presentation to life on a 20-acre Michigan ranch. A lifelong equestrian who grew up working with horses, Andrea has a particular soft spot for cowboy boots, riding boots, Western wear, and pieces that can look good while still handling a little dirt and hard work. When she’s not talking fashion, you’ll find her cooking, gardening, or keeping up with the goats, chickens, peacocks, and dogs that make ranch life anything but borin

Latest posts by Andi Grant (see all)

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Finding the best workout leggings sounds simple enough, but it depends on what you’re wearing them for. Some days I want plenty of compression for squats or jumping rope. Other days, I’m doing yoga at home or running down the dirt roads near our house. And plenty of days, my leggings have to get me through a workout and whatever else I’ve got planned afterward.

I was an Old Navy leggings junkie in college, mostly because they were affordable and came in fun colors. Unfortunately, some of those colors weren’t nearly as squat-proof as I’d hoped, and the fabric didn’t always hold up for long. I’ve gotten a lot pickier since then, especially about waistbands that stay put, fabric that moves comfortably, and leggings I don’t have to think about once they’re on.

These seven pairs cover everything from supportive training leggings to softer options for yoga, errands, and the occasional day when comfort wins over everything else.

Best Workout Leggings at a Glance

Best for Strength Training: Fabletics On-the-Go PowerHold High-Waisted Legging

I like feeling supported during a workout, but I’ve worn leggings that were so tight I couldn’t wait to take them off. The Fabletics On-the-Go PowerHold offers firm compression without sacrificing the stretch you need for squats, lunges, and other strength exercises.

PowerHold is Fabletics’s maximum-compression fabric, with four-way stretch and sweat-wicking properties. The wide waistband provides a secure, held-in fit, while the stretchy material allows for a comfortable range of motion. It’s a good combination for anyone who prefers more support without feeling restricted.

Coverage is especially important with workout leggings, particularly in lighter colors. PowerHold’s compressive fabric provides good coverage during movement, although I’d still recommend checking opacity in good lighting. I’ve learned from experience that leggings can look perfectly fine standing up and tell a very different story during a squat.

The side pockets are another plus, especially if you like having your phone nearby. My iPhone 17 Pro Max is practically a small tablet, so pocket size is something I pay attention to. Having somewhere to keep it during a workout is much more convenient than carrying a separate bag.

At $94.95–$104.95 for non-members, these aren’t inexpensive, but the $69.95–$74.95 VIP price is much easier to justify. Pricing varies by color, and Fabletics also runs additional promotions, so the price can sometimes be lower. VIP members can skip the monthly $69.95 Member Credit charge by the 5th and still keep their member pricing. I like that flexibility because I certainly don’t need new leggings every month.

Best for Sculpting: Fabletics Seamless Scrunch High-Waisted Legging

Not every workout calls for maximum compression. Fabletics Seamless Scrunch has a softer, more flexible feel than PowerHold, with medium-light compression that makes more sense for yoga, stretching, and studio classes.

The scrunch detail along the back seam is designed to accentuate your glutes, adding a more sculpted look. And I have to admit, anything that makes it look like all those squats are paying off gets my attention. It’s a fun detail without being overly dramatic.

The high waistband provides coverage through bending and stretching, while the seamless construction helps reduce the bulky feel of traditional seams. There’s also a 29-inch tall length available, which I appreciate because finding leggings that are genuinely full-length can be a challenge.

One drawback is the lack of pockets. That’s not necessarily a problem during yoga or a studio class, but it’s less convenient when you’re heading out afterward and need somewhere to put your phone.

At $94.95 for non-members, these are a little pricey for leggings without pockets. The $69.95 VIP price is more appealing, especially if you’re already a member. I’d consider these more of a comfort-and-style pick than an all-purpose training legging, with the flattering design being a big part of their appeal.

Best for Yoga: lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

There’s a reason lululemon Align leggings have such a devoted following. They’re made with Nulu fabric, which is exceptionally soft and lightweight, with a barely-there feel that suits yoga and other low-impact activities.

There’s definitely something nice about leggings that don’t feel restrictive when you’re moving between poses or spending time on the mat. Align is designed to stretch comfortably without the firm compression you’d expect from a strength-training legging.

The standard Align High-Rise Pant costs $98 and includes a small waistband pocket for essentials like a key or card. If you want larger side pockets, lululemon also offers a pocketed version for $128.

Durability is the main consideration. Nulu can pill from friction, particularly when exposed to rough surfaces or repeated rubbing. I’d reserve Align for yoga and other low-impact activities instead of wearing it for outdoor workouts that involve abrasive surfaces.

Best for Running: Nike Swift High-Waisted 7/8 Running Leggings with Pockets

Nike Swift leggings are designed specifically for running, with midweight Dri-FIT fabric that wicks away sweat and perforations behind the knees for ventilation. Nike also removed the seams along the inner legs to reduce rubbing, which can become uncomfortable over longer distances.

There are three pockets: two along the thighs and a zippered compartment at the back of the waistband. Nike says the rear pocket accommodates larger smartphones, although I’d probably keep my phone along my thigh and use the zipper for keys or a card. The internal drawcord also lets you tighten the waistband before heading out.

Reflective details along the outer thighs add visibility in low light, while the 7/8 length keeps fabric from bunching around the ankles. The fit offers medium support without the maximum compression of PowerHold.

I run on dirt roads near our house, where I don’t want to be distracted by a slipping waistband or my phone bouncing around. The adjustable waistband, pocket arrangement, and ventilation address several things I look for in running leggings. At $95, I’d want those running-specific details to earn their keep, especially the drawcord and pockets.

Best for Pilates: Athleta Salutation Stash High Rise Legging

Athleta’s Salutation Stash leggings use Powervita fabric, which has a soft feel and medium compression. For Pilates, that balance offers a middle ground between the lightweight lululemon Align and firmer training leggings.

Pilates involves a lot of controlled movement, including bridges, leg lifts, and exercises on a mat. The stretch and moderate support of Powervita are designed for that type of activity, without the heavier compression some people find uncomfortable during floor exercises.

Salutation Stash also has bonded side pockets and comes in petite, regular, and tall inseams of 25, 27, and 30 inches. I particularly like seeing multiple length options because a legging that’s too long can gather around your ankles, even when everything else fits properly.

At $109, these cost more than the standard Align, but the side pockets and broader inseam selection give shoppers a couple of potential reasons to choose Athleta.

Best for High-Intensity Workouts: lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight

Jumping rope is a good way to find out whether leggings are going to cooperate. Repeated movement makes a slipping waistband obvious pretty quickly.

The lululemon Wunder Train uses Everlux fabric, designed to wick sweat and dry quickly during demanding workouts. It also has an internal waistband drawcord, so you can adjust the fit before jumping, running intervals, or moving between exercises.

That adjustability is a practical advantage over leggings that depend entirely on compression to stay in place. Everlux has a smooth inner surface and softer exterior, with fabric construction intended to manage moisture when you’re sweating heavily.

The standard $98 version includes a small waistband pocket, while the $128 pocketed version offers additional storage. The drawcord and sweat-management features are the reasons I’d consider Wunder Train for higher-intensity training.

Best Budget Workout Leggings: CRZ YOGA Butterluxe Yoga Origin Legging

At around $32, CRZ YOGA’s Butterluxe Yoga Origin Legging costs considerably less than the other options in this roundup. It’s made with soft, stretchy fabric and gentle compression, with a design aimed at yoga, stretching, and casual wear.

Butterluxe comes in several inseam lengths, including a 28-inch option, but the Yoga Origin style doesn’t have large side pockets. It also won’t give you the firm support of PowerHold or the adjustable waistband of Wunder Train.

For someone who primarily wants comfortable leggings for yoga or everyday errands, spending more than $100 may be unnecessary. Butterluxe offers a lower-priced option with a similarly soft, lightweight approach to lululemon Align, although the fabrics and construction aren’t identical.

Long-term durability is something I’d consider with leggings at this price, especially if you’re planning to wear them frequently. I’d also check opacity in bright lighting before removing the tags, particularly in lighter colors.

What to Look for When Buying Workout Leggings

A good pair of leggings should stay comfortable through the movements you do most often. For yoga, that may mean softer fabric that stretches easily. Strength training and running can call for a more secure waistband or additional support, depending on your preferences.

I always recommend doing a squat test in bright lighting before removing the tags. Bend, sit, and move around, too. Leggings that look opaque while you’re standing can become surprisingly sheer once the fabric stretches.

I also check where the pockets sit and whether the inseam works for my height. A pocket can look generous in product photos but struggle to hold a larger phone, and excess fabric around the ankles gets annoying when you’re moving. Those little fit details often determine which leggings I keep reaching for.

Which Workout Leggings Would I Choose?

I think it comes down to what’s on the agenda that day, which is why there are so many good options. For strength training, I’d choose Fabletics PowerHold for its support and secure pockets. For yoga, I’d lean toward lululemon Align for its softer feel, while Nike Swift has the features I’d want for running. And for days when I’m likely to be greeted by muddy paw prints the second I walk through the door, the $32 CRZ YOGA Butterluxe leggings sound like a pretty sensible choice.

I’m still a sucker for a cute pair of leggings and a good sale, but I want something I’ll wear beyond a single workout. And let’s be honest, my leggings probably spend just as much time at TJ Maxx as they do at the gym.