Top-Notch Petite Gym Leggings Chosen by our 5ft1 Editors - the Finest You Can Afford, Apparently
In the bustling world of fitness, finding the perfect gym leggings can be a challenge, especially for petite women. But fear not, as we've compiled a list of the best gym leggings specifically designed for shorter frames.
Sofia Piza, our Fashion Writer, recently ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon in Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 Leggings and found them to fit perfectly around her ankle (5ft 4) and provide comfort and support during long-distance running.
Our guide provides quick shopping links for a variety of leggings, including options for leggings with pockets, overall best leggings, high street leggings, home workout leggings, running leggings, gym-to-brunch leggings, and yoga leggings.
Recommended options for petite gym leggings include:
- Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight 25": These leggings are tested for durability and softness, have a high waistband for comfort, and a 25-inch inseam suited for petite legs.
- Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity High-Waisted 7/8 Running Leggings: 7/8 length ideal for petite runners, with sweat-wicking fabric, sculpting stitching, and convenient side pockets.
- New Balance Harmony High Rise Legging 25": Designed for shorter legs (~5’2”), with side and back pockets, supportive and sweat-wicking material.
- ASOS 4505 Petite Leggings: Affordable, with various colours and styles tailored for petite frames, good compression and moisture-wicking, and a length that sits just above the ankle on shorter women.
- Vanquish Elevate Seamless Scrunch Petite Black Leggings: Designed specifically for petite women with a scrunch feature enhancing the glutes, fitted perfectly for shorter frames.
When shopping for petite gym leggings, consider high-rise waistbands for comfort and a flattering fit. Opt for leggings with inseams around 25 inches or 7/8 lengths to avoid excess fabric pooling at the ankles. Moisture-wicking, stretchy, and sculpting fabrics improve workout comfort and silhouette. Some brands offer petite-specific sizes and cuts, ensuring better fit and proportion.
Our writer tested a range of high-waisted, low-waisted, patterned, and plain styles of petite gym leggings. The article includes reviews of 18 of the best petite gym leggings, including brands such as Sweaty Betty, Nike, Adanola, M&S, New Balance, ASOS, CRZ YOGA, and Lululemon.
Rebecca Shepherd, our Health Contributor, praises Beyond Yoga Spacedye New Moves High Waisted Midi Legging for their bright and beautiful contrast trim, chunky 5" waistband, side pockets, and midi length that sits between the calf and ankle. She also praises Oner Active Effortless Seamless Leggings for their comfort, lightweight and seamless design, and contouring that accentuates the waist, as well as their availability in two different lengths for petite and taller frames.
The writer and the four testers have different methods of working out, including long-distance running, weight training, HIIT workouts, low-impact Pilates, yoga, and Barre workouts.
Amelia Yeomans, Junior Shopping Editor, recommends Gilly Hicks Active Recharge Flare Leggings for their comfort, stretch, and sweat-wicking properties, as well as their short leg length that is perfect for petite frames and their back waistband pocket that is ideal for carrying a phone and keys.
Grace Lindsay, Writer, recommends SEFI Timeless Leggings 7/8 Goldstone for their thickness, support, and ability to hide moisture during sweaty HIIT workouts, and notes they would work for all petite ladies under 5ft4. Ally Head, Senior Health Editor, finds LNDR The Limitless 7/8 Legging to be made of high-quality, sustainable materials, lightweight, and sweat-wicking, with a 7/8 length that fits well on a petite frame.
Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer, praises Alo 7/8 High-waist airbrush legging for being designed specifically for petite women, fitting well and flatteringly, and being comfortable for both gym classes and errands.
Our guide discusses the best gym leggings for petite women, specifically those under 5ft4. The fit, sweat-wicking properties, comfort, price, and non-see-through quality are some of the factors considered when testing the best petite gym leggings. The article was first published in March 2024 and has since been updated.
- Sophia Piza, our Fashion Writer, approves the Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 Leggings for their perfect fit around the ankle of a 5ft 4 woman, offering comfort and support during long-distance running.
- The guide offers shopping links for a range of leggings, including options for leggings with pockets, optimal leggings, high street leggings, home workout leggings, running leggings, gym-to-brunch leggings, and yoga leggings.
- When shopping for petite gym leggings, it's recommended to consider high-rise waistbands for comfort and a flattering fit, leggings with inseams around 25 inches or 7/8 lengths to avoid excess fabric at the ankles, and fabrics that are moisture-wicking, stretchy, and sculpting for improved workout comfort and silhouette.
- Amelia Yeomans, Junior Shopping Editor, suggests Gilly Hicks Active Recharge Flare Leggings for their short leg length perfect for petite frames, back waistband pocket, comfort, stretch, and sweat-wicking properties.
