Best Workout Leggings: Athleta and Lululemon Review

By Sam Davis, BHS, CPT, FNS

Updated on April 1, 2019

Best Overall

Athleta Patterned Workout Leggings

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Best Value

Lululemon Wunder Under Yoga Pants High-Rise

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Honorable Mention

Athleta Workout Leggings

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Athleta Patterned Workout Leggings

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Pros

First off, curvy women will love these leggings. These leggings have just the perfect amount of compression to keep you feeling locked in, but the waistband suffocating your waste.

Cons

The only drawback we heard about was the mid-rise waistband. It depends on your preference, but the waistband lands just above your belly button. So, if you want something a bit higher-waisted, then you might do better with another style of legging.

Bottom Line

You can move, jump, and run without these slipping and sliding, and even when you get super sweaty, the fabric stays nice and tight. For all these reasons, these leggings are a must have!
Sizes: XXS-2X

Lululemon Wunder Under Yoga Pants High-Rise

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Pros

These stretch all the way to the ankle—and their Nulux Fabric is buttery soft. Compressive, but not too tight around the waist. There’s no slipping and sliding, so you can tackle your sweatiest of workouts without the annoyance of having to pull them up in between reps.

Cons

Lululemon has a strict washing policy for a reason. If you wash these leggings with any form of cotton, they will pill. So these may be a little more high maintenance to wash if you don’t already separate your laundry by workout gear, and then darks, and whites.

Bottom Line

Finally - leggings that are for all my tall women out there! Lululemon designed this pair of leggings perfectly for the 5’9" and above gal. Say goodbye to the awkward length, mid-calf-hitting pairs that you may be used to. From what I know, these leggings are great whether you're tall or not, but a must have if you are on the taller side like myself!
Sizes: 0-14

Athleta Workout Leggings

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Pros

These tights are not only the perfect length for those sweat junkies that are under 5’5 (inseam 22”), but they are also fitted without suffocating your waist. They are comfortable enough to wear all day as they are made of a buttery soft fabric. Did we mention the back pocket to hold your small necessities?

Cons

We notice that some women like to size down in leggings for a snug, more secure fit. For these, we recommend you don’t. The 3-layer waistband is perfect for keeping you tucked in and gives you a seamless look; however, if you size down, the waistband becomes extremely tight.

Bottom Line

Athleta does it again. We love how they have something for every type of body. Indeed, they embrace an inclusive philosophy within their company. This pair is for my petite women, so do not hesitate to add these to your athletic wardrobe if this is you!
Sizes: Petite XS-L

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Table of Contents

Best Workout Leggings Review

Not all bodies are created the same, which is why the leggings you invest in should fit your body type. We want to make sure you can flow through your sweatiest of workouts without the discomfort of a tight waistband or the annoying readjustments every 5 minutes. Luckily, we’ve had women of all shapes and sizes test some of the best workout leggings. And while leggings may not be created equal, we’ve found a pair out there for every body type.

So Many Choices for Leggings

Start with our comparison of the Lululemon Wunder Tight with the Athleta Powerlift Tights in this review. They are among the best workout leggings, and well-worth the investment. For another perspective, watch the video below. Vanessa Blanco describes the material, hi-rise aspects of the leggings, and how they hold up against your sweat.

Legging Review & Try-On: Lululemon Wunder Under, Hight Time, All The Right Places Leggings – Vanessa Blanco

If you’re not satisfied, then take a look at our comparison of Gymshark Vital Leggings and Jed North’s seamless leggings. Our experts have even reviewed the Lululemon Align Pants, the Lululemon Speed Up Tight Leggings, and American Leggings. The point is, there’s a perfect pair of leggings for every body type. You should use reviews like these to inform your decisions. We can help you to understand the differences. But ultimately, you’ll need to try out a few different styles until you find the perfect fit, for you.

The Best Workout Leggings From Athleta and Lululemon

Athleta makes popular and stylish workout leggings, and so does Lululemon. In fact, the Wunder Under, high-rise yoga pants by Lululemon are great for the gym, or anywhere else. These are among the best options for leggings around, and there’s a pair for everybody.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts on this review in the comments section below, or check out some other articles, like our Lululemon women’s shorts review.

By Sam Davis, BHS, CPT, FNS

About the author

Fitness was my lifeline, guiding me to balance and self-love. With a background in personal training and nutrition, I’ve dedicated the last eight years to helping others find this same path. I believe in transforming lives through nutrition, exercise, and healthy habits, aiming to inspire self-love in everyone I work with.

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