When you take part in pilates it is very important that you wear comfortable clothing. The clothing needs to be flexible so that you have a full range of movement.
A lot of people choose to wear leggings for this reason. The other benefit to wearing leggings for pilates is that you will not be at risk of tripping over loose fabric, as the leggings are tight to your skin.
Whether you are new to pilates, or you are experienced and you are ready to buy some new workout clothing, you are in the right place.
We have put together this list of the best leggings for pilates, along with reviews for each product to help you decide which leggings will be best for you.
Make sure you also check out our buyer’s guide for advice on how to select the best leggings that will meet your needs. We have also answered some frequently asked questions to make your decision easier.
Here is our list of the best leggings that you can wear to keep you comfortable during your pilates workout.
These full length leggings are made from a blend of nylon and elastane. They are incredibly soft and lightweight, with moisture wicking technology to keep your skin dry while you’re working out.
The leggings fit snugly to your legs, but they move with you so that you have full flexibility. This allows you to really get the most out of your pilates session.
The wide waistband has a fold over construction and also has a hidden pocket big enough for a key. This is useful if you want to use the leggings for running so you can put your house key in the pocket. These leggings are machine washable which makes them really easy to look after.
There are multiple sizes to choose from and 7 different colors including lilac, mauve, sage green, teal blue and orchid purple.
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These leggings come very highly recommended by customers, with thousands of positive reviews. They are made from a blend of polyester and spandex.
They are strong and not transparent, so you can move around freely and not worry about restrictive fabric or see through issues.
The design of these leggings means that they have a high waist with tummy control. That means that you can wear these leggings with confidence, even with just a sports bra instead of a t-shirt, or if you want to wear a tight top.
Within the waistband is a concealed pocket for your key. There’s also a stretchy pocket on the outside thigh which is large enough to hold a smartphone.
There are over 20 different colors of leggings to choose from, so you can be sure to find one that suits your style and the rest of your workout wardrobe.
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These three quarter leggings are made from a blend of polyester and spandex. They reach the mid calf level which is ideal for warmer weather or if you prefer shorter leggings.
The waistband is high enough to cover your naval, and has tummy control which is ideal for people who are self-conscious about their midsection.
The crotch of these leggings is a gusset style which gives you more range of movement as you complete your pilates workout.
They also have an ultra stretch fit and are made from really soft material. They also have side pockets and an inner pocket for you to keep your personal items.
You can choose from 13 different colors including blue, green, white marble and tie dye white.
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These leggings are made from nylon and spandex for durable yet flexible leggings that will last a long time.
The fabric is super soft and stretches in 4 different directions to give you the ultimate range of movement. They have a flatlock seam which is really comfortable and prevents chafing.
The waistband is seamless which makes it supportive yet comfortable. There is also a hidden pocket in the waistband for your key. They have a full length fit which gives you full coverage of your legs.
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These leggings are so soft and comfortable you will feel as if you’re not wearing anything at all. They allow totally unrestricted movement so you can stretch as much you need to during your pilates session. They have a sleek feel and appearance, and stretch in 4 different directions.
These leggings have a high waist but do not feature tummy control which means they won’t dig into your abdomen when you wear them.
The hemline is very durable and also features reflective dots which will keep you safer if you exercise outdoors at night. The leggings have a drawstring closure so you don’t have to worry about them falling down as you exercise.
These leggings feature multiple side pockets for you to store all of your personal belongings. You can choose from a multitude of colors so you will definitely be able to find one that you like.
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These leggings are made from bamboo which is a natural material. They are super soft and comfortable. They are also really stretchy which makes them ideal for pilates.
Bamboo leggings benefit from being thermoregulating as well as moisture wicking, so you will stay dry and comfortable throughout your entire pilates session.
These leggings have a 3 inch thick waistband for extra comfort. You can choose from 14 different colors. The shipping is a little pricey, so you may want to order more than one pair to make it worthwhile.
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These leggings are unique as they stretch over the ankle and the heel of the foot rather than finishing at the bottom of the leg.
They actually end just before the ball of your foot. This gives your feet extra protection if you do barefoot pilates.
The material is very soft and stretchy, keeping you comfortable and giving you a full range of movement.
The crotch is gusseted for better flexibility and the leggings are high waisted for extra comfort. They also have tummy control to give you more confidence.
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We have shown you our top recommendations for pilates leggings. Now you need to narrow down your choice and decide which leggings will be best for you.
If you are struggling to choose, there are several things that you can consider.
The first decision you need to make is how much money you are willing to spend on leggings. Consider how many pairs of leggings you need, what other workout clothes or equipment you may need to get into pilates, and how much money you have to spend.
We have included leggings that are a range of different prices.
The next thing to think about is the length of the leggings. Some people prefer full length leggings as it gives them more coverage.
Other people like three quarter leggings as they can be cooler and better for warmer weather. It also depends on what sort of look you are going for.
Most sports leggings are made from a blend of synthetic materials. This means that they benefit from various features like flexibility and durability.
You can also get leggings made from natural material like bamboo which are also ideal for pilates – which material you go for depends on personal preference.
Some people prefer to avoid synthetic materials as they are not biodegradable and can be bad for the environment.
On the other hand, bamboo is a limited natural resource so you need to make sure that any bamboo leggings are sustainably sourced.
Some leggings boast features like moisture wicking or thermoregulation. The moisture wicking leggings will keep the sweat away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable. This is more hygienic and also prevents rashes.
Thermoregulating leggings prevent you from overheating while you exercise, but can also keep you warm if you are exercising outdoors. These are both useful features to look out for when you are buying pilates leggings.
Some people find pockets in leggings really useful. A lot of leggings have one small concealed pocket in the waistband for a key, but others have multiple pockets which are big enough for your bank card or even your smartphone.
Leggings are designed to fit snugly. Some leggings are more flexible and stretchy than others, or have a special gusset design to ensure that the crotch area is flexible.
Others are made with flatlock seams to prevent chafing. Some leggings have an extra high waist band to cover the naval and others end just below the navel.
You can also get leggings with tummy control to give you mid section a flatter appearance.
If you are still struggling to choose which leggings to buy, you could consider how many colors there are to choose from.
Having more colors to choose from gives you more chances of finding a pair of leggings that will help you to express your personal style. You can also find leggings that complement the rest of your workout clothing.
Pilates involves lots of movement so you need to wear something stretchy and comfortable. Leggings are great as they fit snugly so you won’t strip over any loose material.
You can wear whatever you want on the top – a sports bra, a comfortable top, a vest etc. Depending on the pilates studio you may be working out barefoot, with grip socks, or in trainers.
Most pilates or yoga leggings can be machine washed. However, it is always important to check the care instructions. Some leggings have to be washed on a cool setting, or cannot be tumble dried.
Some specify that you should not use fabric softener as it will impact the moisture wicking capability of the leggings.
There might be some leggings made from natural materials that need to be hand washed.
Some classes will require that you bring your own mat and others will provide the mat for you. You also need to practice pilates at home in between classes to improve, so you will need your own mat anyway.
As you become more advanced you may need more equipment like resistance bands or a pilates block. Your instructor will advise you on this.
How long your pilates leggings last will depend on several factors- the quality of the product, your maintenance of the product, and how often you wear the leggings.
A pair of top quality pilates leggings should last you at least a couple of years if you are following the care instructions and rotating them with other leggings.
Whatever you budget and color preferences, you should be able to find some leggings to suit your needs.
All of the leggings we have reviewed have received positive reviews from customers and will be ideal for wearing to pilates classes, or for your pilates sessions at home.
You can also wear these leggings for other types of exercise like yoga, running, and general fitness.
If you are struggling to choose which leggings to buy, remember to have a look at the buyer’s guide for some great advice on what features you should be looking out for.
