My favorite on this list is from Nike.
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A pair of workout leggings is the most important piece of activewear you’ll buy—but it’s also one of the hardest to get right. Too compressive and they dig in. Too soft and they stretch out after a few washes. And if they slide down mid-sprint or turn sheer in a squat, they’re done. Since Women’s Health was founded in 2005, our editors have been sweat-testing workout leggings through strength training, long runs, Pilates, and HIIT to find the pairs that stay opaque, supportive, and comfortable through every session.
To help you find the right leggings for every activity, I built the ultimate list, from great leggings for low-impact activities like yoga to the best compression leggings.
As a style writer with an active lifestyle, I practically live in leggings and have spent nearly three years testing the most popular brands. When we first wrote this story in March 2025, we rounded up our all-time favorite leggings for workouts after testing each pair at the gym, on long runs, around the house, and on long days out and about to see which ones earned top marks across comfort, support, compression, style, breathability, and moisture-wicking abilities. Over the past few months, I’ve continued to put them through their paces (and tried even more options) to make sure this guide includes all the best workout leggings.
All the winners on this list have been personally vetted and tested by me. I also chatted with style contributor Lily Wohlner as well as stylist and WH contributor Rose Lauture about their favorite pairs, since they are constantly styling and testing leggings, too.
Best Compression Leggings | Best Underwear For Women | Best Sports Bras | Best Leggings With Pockets | Best Leggings For Women | Best Fleece Leggings | Best Flair Leggings | Best Winter Leggings | Best Leggings On Amazon | Best Sweatpants | Most Comfortable Sneakers | Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear | Best Sports Bras | Fitness Awards 2025
Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
