I tried 15 compression leggings—this one kept me supported and comfortable during workouts
Who isn’t a sucker for a good pair of leggings for women? They’re comfortable, easy to style, available in a variety of colours and designs, and the list goes on. However, there are plenty of different types of leggings tailored to specific activities (admit it—you’ve got a favourite soft pair for your WFH days). If you’re after a pair of butt-lifting leggings specifically for workouts, compressive leggings are the way to go.
'Compression leggings are designed to increase blood flow to the muscles in the lower half of your body during exercise, bringing more oxygen to them,' says orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Natasha Trentacosta, MD. All of that increased blood flow you experience while wearing compression leggings actually enhances muscle oxygenation, she says, adding that it allows you to exercise more efficiently with less muscle fatigue.
Best Compression Leggings
The specific exercises compressive leggings are good for are heavily weighted or explosive, powerful movements like plyometrics and heavy lifting, says orthopaedic surgeon David Geier, MD. 'Some people actually feel their strength and power improve while exercising in compression tights.'
And get this: there are tons of other benefits beyond the gym, too. 'They tend to be especially helpful to those—think: retail workers, surgeons, teachers, etc.—who work jobs that require them to stand for several hours,' says physician Laura Purdy, MD. She says that women who are pregnant and people with diabetes, varicose veins, heart failure, lymphedema, or psoriasis can also benefit from the increased circulation they offer.
To help you shop smarter, I turned to experts and personally tested 15 of the bestselling compression leggings over the past two months to find the top five worth your dime. I put them through the wringer with intense workouts like HIIT and long runs, lounged around the house, and even wore them out and about to see how they held up for all-day comfort. The overly tight pairs didn’t make the cut, but the ones that offered solid support without feeling restrictive earned a spot on the list. Keep reading to see which ones we recommend for ultimate support and comfort.
What To Consider
When you’re shopping for compression leggings, the factors you’ll want to be on the lookout for will depend largely on your personal goals and the activities during which you want to wear your leggings.
Compression Level
High compression: If you’re into heavy lifting or long-distance running, you’ll get the most out of leggings with high or graduated compression. These styles apply more pressure at your legs and gradually ease up toward your core, so they’ll feel snug on your legs but more relaxed around your waist, according to weightlifting coach Sal Nakhlawi, USAW Level 2, and founder of StrongHER Girls. High-compression leggings are 'designed to combine compression with the benefits of kinesiology tape,' says Nakhlawi. While they are on the tighter side, they’re very supportive of the muscles and joints.
Medium compression: If you want something a bit looser, we’ve included a few softer, stretchier pairs on this list, which are great for those who don’t want to feel compressed during lower impact activities like yoga or Pilates.
Material
If you’re working out multiple times a week, make sure your leggings are made from high-quality, breathable fabrics, such as the below.
Elastane/Spandex: This is a lightweight, stretchy fabric that will give your leggings that elastic feel.
Nylon: A soft, stretchy, and durable fabric that's moisture-wicking—perfect for leggings when you want to stay dry and keep sweat stains at bay during your workout.
Polyester: This is a strong, water-resistant fabric that keeps you dry during exercise, but it's not as breathable as elastane and nylon.
How We Selected
As Women's Health editors, we practically live in leggings. For this story, WH US fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner called in 15 pairs of the top-rated compression leggings online. She tested each pair at the gym, around the house, and on long days out and about to see which ones had top marks across comfort, support, compression, style, breathability, and moisture-wicking abilities. She also consulted with three doctors and two personal trainers on what to look for in compression leggings. All the winners on this list have been vetted and tested by Wohlner and our experts.
See below for the five best compression leggings, according to experts and editors.
Interval High Rise Legging
The Athleta Interval High-Rise Legging was my favourite pair of compression leggings I tried during my two-month-long testing process. They’re super flattering, hold me in, and have a snug fit without feeling too tight. Plus, they’re completely squat-proof and stay put during all my workouts. I also love the hidden drawstring inside the waistband. An external drawstring can add bulk to leggings, which isn’t always the most flattering look.
Finding leggings that stay put during HIIT workouts has always been a challenge for me, but these genuinely don’t budge. Despite being tight compression leggings, they stay in place without rolling down at the waistband (a common issue with super snug fits) or slipping during full-body moves. When you first slide them on, they might feel a little too snug, but once they’re in place, they’re surprisingly comfortable and contour perfectly to your body. Out of all the leggings I tested, these made me feel the most supported and were the most flattering by far. This is thanks to the brand’s PowerMove fabric, which is made from a blend of polyester and elastane that feels stretchy but also contouring on the body.
I opted for my normal size medium and felt like they were the perfect fit, so I’d recommend going true-to-size for these. I also went with the regular length, as I’m 5’7”, but if you’re on the taller or shorter side you can opt for the “petite” or “tall” lengths.
I appreciate that the waistband is on the thinner side and that the seam goes straight across the hips, so it doesn’t add any bulk to the waist, adding to its flattering shape. Another pro? Even in burpees or deep squats, these are never see-through so you don’t have to worry about panty lines sneaking through.
While these leggings do feel nice and cooling, I found they’re not as moisture-wicking as the brand claims. By the end of my workout—which wasn’t even super high-intensity—I noticed some sweat stains around the waistband. I imagine this could be even more noticeable during a higher-intensity session. That said, I’d go for the black colour to help hide any sweat marks.
SenseKnit Running High-Rise Leggings
One of the worst feelings on a run is when your leggings sag, restricting your strides, and weighing you down. This is not the case with the SenseKnit HR Running Tights, which feature a high-rise waistband and seamless leg length to keep you supported, cinched, and flexible with every step.
These leggings are designed specifically for running, as their four-way stretch—it stretches lengthwise and widthwise, unlike fabrics with only two-way stretch—and in-seam-free construction makes a smoother, more comfortable ride more achievable. Bonus: Reflective details enhance visibility in low-light conditions, which comes in especially clutch during night runs.
Its moisture-wicking fabric also makes these leggings ideal for high-impact activities like plyometrics and HIIT workouts. Personal trainer Kelsey Wynn, NASM, has put these leggings through some tough exercises and can attest to their durability. They don’t tear or rip during mobility workouts and they look and feel brand new after every wash.
While testing, I noticed these leggings do a great job of regulating temperature, no matter the weather. They kept me warm in colder temps and cool on hotter days. This is thanks to the knit fabric, made from nylon and elastane—it feels thicker and cosy for chilly days but stays breathable when things heat up.
I wore these leggings to a HIIT class recently, and while I loved how they held me in from the waist down, I found the waistband to be a bit bulky and thick. I usually look for leggings that flatter my shape without adding width, so the bulkiness around the hips knocked them down a bit on my list.
HiTouch High-Rise Legging
The most high-compression pair of leggings on this list is no doubt from Knix, and trust me when I tell you these babies will hold you in like no other. TBH, it takes me a few minutes just to get them on, but once they’re in place, they're holding you in and not moving an inch. Besides their compression, they’re made with the brand’s proprietary fabric, which runs under the butt and down the legs to contour your body and support your muscles. I love how this high-compression fabric keeps me feeling secure and fully supported during workouts. It gives me the confidence to push harder at the gym without worrying about anything shifting during high-intensity moves.
These leggings also have an extra-wide, high waistband, which I find to be extremely flattering. Add the compression in, and you’ve got a super smooth tummy area that you didn’t know could look so flat. (trust, when I put these on I was shook at how much it sucked my belly in!). I was a bit nervous that because these leggings are tight, they would chafe after sweating. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how they never felt uncomfortable, even after a sweaty P.Volve workout.
If you’re not a fan of super-tight leggings, I’d recommend sizing up for a looser fit. I stuck with my regular size and really liked the compressive feel. I was a bit worried they might roll down during workouts because of how snug they are, but they stayed perfectly in place—which was a nice surprise. This pair with the piping down the side only comes in black and white, but the OG Hi-Touch legging comes in a ton of different colours.
The only issue would be they are a US-based brand, however, you can get free shipping to the UK with orders over $150 USD.
Booty Boost Full Length Leggings
Who doesn’t want their butt to look amazing in a pair of leggings? If you want a pair of booty-boosting leggings, Spanx is your girl. These tights provide medium compression, so they’re not as tight as some others on this list. What really sets them apart is the contoured waistband and targeted butt-shaping design, which enhances your curves by lifting your booty and giving your hips a higher, more sculpted look. The high-rise waistband also makes you look held-in, as it prevents the muffin top from poppin’ out and keeps everything soft and smooth-looking (huge ups!). To make matters even better, these leggings don’t have a centre seam at the crotch, meaning you never have to worry about a camel toe during wear. If you want to feel and look your best at the gym, this is the pair for you.
During my workouts, I was impressed by how supported I felt in these leggings. The fabric is super stretchy yet firm, offering just the right balance of comfort and support. They’re not the tightest pair I tried, so I could easily lounge in them, but they still stay in place and keep me feeling secure during high-intensity workouts. I went with a size medium, which fit perfectly, but you could size up or down depending on whether you prefer a snug fit or something a little looser for lounging.
At first, I wasn’t sure about the curved seam at the waist since I’m used to straight seams, which is more common in leggings. But when I checked in the mirror, I noticed the downward curve actually makes my butt look smaller and more lifted. That said, from the front, the curve made my hips look a bit wider than I’d like.
Unlike the Athleta pair, these leggings were super moisture-wicking. I wore them during an extra sweaty lower body workout and noticed that, while there were some sweat stains, they were dry by the time I grabbed my belongings in the locker room and left the gym.
Compressive High-Rise Leggings
These are the most size-inclusive leggings on this list—they go all the way to a 6X and have two length options to choose from—and the brand’s number-one seller (no surprises there!). They’re on the thinner side and not super tight—I actually found them to be the most comfortable pair on this list, as they don’t have a ton of compression like other pairs. However, unlike some of my softer leggings, they’re very smoothing and they hold me in, which is why I opt for them for higher intensity workouts.
I appreciate that these leggings have a small hidden pocket in the back for when I need to store my keys at the gym. Another pro? They’re sheer proof, so you can do a super deep squat without a worry. I also found that they wick away moisture quickly—I grabbed the light brown pair and didn’t see any sweat stains after my workout.
They do have a slightly roomier fit, so I would recommend sizing down. I found the crotch area to be a little saggy and roomie, but I think a size down would have fixed that and made them feel a bit more snug. I also wish that the seams were a little less pronounced, like the Athleta pair (which is totally seamless). On this pair, you can definitely see all the seams going down the legs and at the waist.
Meet The Experts
Sal Nakhlawi, USAW Level 2, is a weightlifting coach and founder of StrongHER Girls.
Natasha Trentacosta, MD, is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute.
David Geier, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist.
Laura Purdy, MD, is a board-certified physician.
Kelsey Wynn, NASM, is a certified personal trainer.
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