No matter where you are in your fitness journey – whether you’re just starting, or spend more time in Lycra than you do ordinary clothing – squats will play a huge part in your workout.
Squats are one of the easiest lower body movements to nail. They require little gym know-how or skill to ace the technique but have benefits far beyond their sculpting effect on the booty (although that cannot be understated).
You can do squats every single day to improve your posture, balance, flexibility and mobility. You don’t even need to head to a gym; you can do them while you’re brushing your teeth in the morning.
The up-and-down movement builds muscle and increases the elasticity of your tendons and ligaments – something that is reduced as you get older. Squats promote a healthy musculoskeletal system that reduces back pain, prevents injury and enhances balance. It also strengthens your core.
But as anyone who has left the studio red-faced after that dreaded ripping sound will know all too well, if your leggings aren’t up for the task, you will soon know about it.
For this reason, it is important to select a pair with enough stretch to give you full flexibility of movement as you increase the reps in your squat challenge.
You don’t want to flash your fellow gym-goers so an opaque design that doesn’t reveal your underwear as you bend and stretch is essential. This is also something to keep in mind for when you start to sweat. As you increase the intensity of your workout, moisture should be wicked away from the body or dry in a speedy fashion – and this all comes down to the material in question. Colour also plays into this where the darker the shade, often the more sweat camouflaging it will be.
Squat-proof leggings are a full-coverage alternative that will not go see-through or show skin as you bend. The material should also be thick enough to offer support and fit properly so that they don’t roll down at the waistband or up at the ankle. They should feel like a second skin with a super soft construction that will have you relishing slipping them on.
Shop the best below
Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 28
The Align leggings are a bestseller for a reason. For their feel alone, you will want to add these Lululemon bottoms to your basket. The material is silky soft, while remaining supportive and disguising sweat patches. They are created for yoga and as such are stretchy and flexible for a full range of movement.
The leggings come in different lengths depending on where you want them to sit – be it the ankle or up the calf, in 12 colourways and from UK4 to 24. There is a hidden pocket in the waistband for the essentials.
Buy now £88.00, Lululemon
Vuori Stride Legging
Vuroi is known and loved for its buttery soft activewear that is so comfortable, you’ll never want to take it off. Whether you choose to adorn the Stride leggings for the gym or to hang with the girlies, they are created to move with you. This is through the nylon composition, a material selected for its performance and stretch properties. It is also quick-drying and moisture-wicking. The leggings come in four hues – including two tones of blue.
Buy now £95.00, Vuori
H&M ShapeMove Sports tights
H&M has revamped its activewear collection with an innovative new fabric. Known as ShapeMove, it was created to provide stretch, support and comfort for high and low-intensity workouts alike. The material has been put through its paces by sports research experts to ensure the collection is performance-ready and that extends to the leggings too.
The second skin-like fit is created through a combination of recycled polyamide and Lycra that move with you, while standing the test of time. To improve comfort, the ShapeMove have a high bonded waistband and laser-cut hems to prevent them from rolling down or up respectively.
Buy now £32.99, H&M
TALA DayFlex Wrap High Waisted Flared Yoga Pant
TALA has a cult following for a reason. Fashion and function in equal measure, this is fitnesswear designed to see you through as you smash your exercise goals. Flared yoga pants are huge in the exercise space right now in line with the revival of all things 90s and with fierce competition from many other fitness labels, the Grace Beverley-founded label holds its own. Bonus points go to the wrap design at the front – an extremely flattering detail as well as the sumptuous recycled nylon and lycra construction. The material is soft, opaque and stretchy.
Buy now £65.00, TALA
Nike Go Women's Firm-Support High-Waisted Full-Length Leggings with Pockets
The Portland-based sportswear giant has created these leggings using at least 50 per cent recycled nylon so you can be content in the knowledge that your activewear is sustainable as you rep out your squats. These gym floor essentials were designed with exercises like squats in mind – to give you flexibility of movement without leading to splits or holes.
Buy now £99.99, Nike
Sweaty Betty Power Gym Leggings
One thing you can guarantee with a pair of Sweaty Betty leggings is that you will get a premium product. From the quality construction to the soft polyamide blend, they are a durable addition to your athleisure collection. They’re highly functional too with a sweat-wicking and quick-drying composition. The stretchy design has a tactical seam around the bum that gives a sculpting effect. Choose from a large array of colours, patterns and prints, including this dapple design.
Buy now £88.00, Sweaty Betty
Fabletics Seamless Fusion High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings
These sculpting leggings from Fablectics are designed for hardcore workouts. They are crafted from an engineered ribbed material that keeps you secure throughout your squats and lower body movements. This is all while providing an ultra-flattering look for those all-important gym selfies. Add more reps content in the knowledge that you will leave chafe-free thanks to the moisture-wicking construction.
Buy now £64.00, Fabletics
Adanola Ultimate Wrap Over Leggings
For activewear with street style credentials look to Manchester-born fitness label Adanola – a brand with a loyal following among content creators from Molly Mae to Kourtney Kardashian. You only need to look to the wrap-over waistband as the ultimate case in point, a sleek, flattering detail that will offer you all the motivation you need to get in a session – just to have an excuse to wear them.
There’s a higher waistline for additional support and to stop them rolling down. Word of warning, sweat patches will appear in high-intensity workouts.
Buy now £39.99, Adanola
