10 Best Leggings for Exercising Indoors
Updated: May 05, 2020
Fitness experts share what to look for in a pair of leggings for every at-home workout format to meet your fitness goals.
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Leggings for indoor workouts
Stay-at-home orders have led many gyms and fitness studios throughout the country to close their doors during Covid-19. This means more people are bringing their workout indoors, seeking out online fitness classes, and stocking their spare bedrooms and basements with exercise equipment to stay active during social distancing. And according to experts, the right workout apparel can play a key role in continuing to meet and surpass your fitness goals.
“Workout clothing that fits properly and looks great puts you in a positive frame of mind, generates energy, and sets you up for success,” says fitness expert Andrea Marcellus, author of The Way In and CEO of the AND/Life app for fitness. This is especially true when you’re working out at home, away from the motivation of a group fitness setting, or the support of a friend on the treadmill next to you.
When it comes to style and material, Marcellus suggests avoiding leggings with a too-tight waistband or oddly placed seams. “Flat belly panel, high-waisted leggings in a lightweight, breathable material that provides some compression tends to be best for everyone,” she says.
To get the most out of your at-home workout and be comfortable, we spoke with fitness experts who reveal the best leggings for indoor workouts.
Sweaty Betty High Shine High Waisted Workout Leggings
$88
This UK-based brand is a favorite of renowned health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels, creator of the Jillian Michaels Fitness App, when she chooses to wear leggings for workouts. With an adjustable drawcord at the waist, perfectly placed seams, and a lustrous fabric that will make you feel like a rock star (even if no one is watching). These leggings are perfect for any style of exercise, from boot camp to barre. Order in your go-to size and you’ll get a soft, comfortable fit, or go one size down for additional compression and support.
Alo Yoga Women’s High Waist Airbrush Legging
$53-$82, depending on size and color
Both Michaels and Marcellus recommend Alo, a yoga brand committed to spreading good through yoga. “Full-length leggings are useful to help speed warming of the muscles if your body runs cold, like mine,” says Marcellus, of why it’s smart to choose long leggings for lower intensity workouts, like yoga. These leggings have no seams on the sides of the legs, allowing maximum comfort in every pose and posture, and the soft, thin fabric is ideal for indoor practice.
Varley Swathmore Legging – High Rise Full Length
$77
These full-length color block leggings rest comfortably at the waist and the fabric is gathered at the ankle, allowing you to pull them down over your heel during yoga, Pilates, or a barre workout. A favorite of Marcellus, Varley’s leggings are designed to be modern and timeless—they’ll give you the motivation to conquer your at-home workout and the confidence to achieve your goals.
Colorfulkoala Women’s Buttery Soft High Waisted Yoga Pants Full-Length Leggings
$23
Over 2,000 five-star reviews don’t lie: These Colorfulkoala pants, the number one bestseller on Amazon in women’s athletic leggings, are beloved for their affordable price, extra soft fabric, and a glove-like fit. “So much softer, more comfortable, and more flattering than many of my expensive brands,” raves one reviewer. The high, seamless waistband stays put when you move, preventing an unflattering muffin top during crunches or downward dog.
90 Degree by Reflex: High Waist Tummy Control Shapewear, Power Flex Capri
$25
“My recommendation for leggings is simply to find some that are comfortable, easy to move in, and wash well,” says home workout expert Jessica Smith, creator of best-selling at-home walking, yoga, and stretching programs. By that logic, you can’t go wrong with these 90 Degree by Reflex high waisted capris, which boast an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 6,820 customer reviews. Perfect for higher intensity workouts like strength training or kickboxing, these leggings are the perfect combination of style, function, and comfort.
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Biker Short
$68
“Feeling too warm is the enemy of energy,” says Marcellus, who counts Beyond Yoga as one of her favorite brands. “If you’re too warm, it can lead to sluggishness that prevents you from getting the most out of your workout.” So if you’re preparing to sweat it out with a long treadmill session, stationary bike ride, or dance cardio class, fitted shorts like these from Beyond Yoga are the perfect pick. Plus, the mid-thigh length ensures they won’t roll or bunch as you squat, spin, or shake.
Reebok Women’s High Waisted Capri Workout Leggings
$23-$25, depending on size and color
If you’re preparing for a high-intensity interval training workout but looking for more support than shorts, these Reebok capri leggings fit the bill. The polyester and spandex blend is designed for maximum comfort. It provides a snug compression fit to help increase blood flow and circulation during high impact exercise. “They compress just enough that they’re flattering without feeling constraining,” promises one reviewer. “And they never sag at all!”
Yogalicious High Waist Ultra Soft Lightweight Leggings – High Rise Yoga Pants
$25
The Nude Tech fabric used in these Yogalicious leggings means they’re lightweight, sweat-wicking, and feel as if you’re wearing nothing at all. What’s more, the thin fabric makes them ideal for indoor exercisers. This is especially true for those who are most comfortable working out in full-length leggings but don’t want to overheat during their session. They come in colors like plum, cherry, and teal that will give you a pop of color as you burn calories.
KORAL Women’s Lustrous High Rise Legging
$67-$96, depending on size and color
Another favorite of both Michaels and Marcellus, KORAL leggings are made with a unique polyamide fabric that offers a combination of stretch, support, and style. They’re sleek, opaque, and comfortable, no matter the activity. The fabric is also designed to prevent deterioration and shape loss over multiple washes, so you can toss these in the washing machine with the confidence that they’ll come out like new.
Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tight
$59-$89, depending on color
These high rise leggings from Athleta boast an impressive average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 1,324 customer reviews. The reason: They’re soft, wash well, and are thick enough to wear from your indoor yoga or Pilates workout out to the grocery store and back again. With 16 different sizes available among regular, tall, and petite styles, women of every size and shape will find a pair that’s sure to fit perfectly.
- Andrea Marcellus, fitness expert, author of The Way In, and CEO of the AND/life fitness app
- Jillian Michaels, health and fitness expert and creator of the Jillian Michaels Fitness App
- Jessica Smith, home workout expert and creator of Walk On: Walk the Weight Off 30 Day Plan
