Finding the right pair of leggings shouldn’t feel harder than the workout itself. But if you’re shopping Gymshark leggings for the first time, the number of collections we have, styles, and fits can feel a bit overwhelming.
This guide is designed to make that choice easier.
Rather than telling you which leggings look best, we’re going to explain why each Gymshark legging is built different, and what that means for how they feel on the body, perform, and hold up in real workouts. There’s not one “best legging”. The right pair depends on how you train, how much support you like, and what you want your leggings to do for you.
Because some people want leggings that are thick and compressive that hold them during heavy lifts, and others want lightweight, brushed fabrics that move through stretches and poses with ease.
In this guide, we’ll break down each core collection by technical features so you can easily compare them and find your best match.
Breakdown of Gymshark’s Core Leggings
Every Gymshark leggings is designed with a specific purpose in mind. Some leggings prioritize compression and shaping, while others focus on softness and versatility. And even though some pairs may look similar, when we compare the same features across each collection, the differences become much clearer.
Vital Seamless Leggings
Vital Seamless Leggings are designed as a true all-rounder. They’re made to handle high-sweat sessions, a variety of movements, and workouts where intensity and pace change regularly. If you switch up your workouts every week and you want one pair that can adapt, Vital offers the perfect mix of support and flexibility.
Specs
Technical Features
Bum scrunch: No
Front seam: No
Leg lengths: Regular, Petite & Tall
Rise: High-rise (one of the highest across our collections)
Compression Level: Medium to high
Fabric Weight (Thickness): Medium (approx. 326gsm)
Construction: Seamless
Waistband Type: Ribbed waistband with internal power mesh for added support
Hand Feel: Smooth and structured
Sweat Management: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
Opacity Under Load: High in dark colours and when worn for intended activities
Collection-specific features:
The marl effect isn’t just pretty, it’s functional too, helping to disguise sweat marks during high-intensity training. The signature contouring dot texture, however, is purely an aesthetic detail rather than a technical one.
Best Worn For
All-round training
Lifting
Conditioning
HIIT
Short runs
General gym sessions
Real Feel
How they feel: Supportive from the first wear, with a secure waistband that stays in place once you’re moving (no tugging up mid-class).
How they wear: Designed to stay put through lifts, conditioning, and short runs without constant adjustment.
Who they’re for: “Vital was built for people who don’t train the same way every day. We focused on waistband structure and sweat management so it feels reliable whether you’re lifting, conditioning, or moving fast between exercises.” - Luci Holme, Designer, Gymshark
What to consider: If you prefer a very soft, barely-there feel, a lighter collection may feel more comfortable.
Adapt Seamless Leggings
Adapt Seamless Leggings are Gymshark’s most supportive seamless leggings. They are intentionally built for strength training, offering a more structured and compressive feel around the waist, and a thicker knit fabric that feels supportive during big lifts like deadlifts and squats.
Specs
Technical Features
Bum scrunch: Yes (apart from Adapt Fleck)
Front seam: No
Leg lengths: Regular
Rise: High-rise
Compression Level: High
Fabric Weight (Thickness): Heavy (approx. 420gsm)
Construction: Seamless
Waistband Type: Ribbed waistband with a snug, supportive hold
Hand Feel: Firm and supportive
Sweat Management: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
Opacity Under Load: High, including under heavy squats
Best Worn For
Strength and lifting-focused training
Heavy lifting
Squats
Lower-body days
Due to the thicker fabric, Adapt leggings are slightly warmer than some of our other collections and not ideal for sweaty HIIT or long runs.
Real Feel
How they feel: Snug when first pulled on, you should definitely be able to feel the compression. After warming up and moving around a bit, they settle into a firm yet supportive fit. “Adapt is intentionally structured - the compression and thickness are there to support heavy lifts, not to feel flimsy straight out of the bag. Once you’re moving, that structure becomes a real benefit”, explains Gymshark’s design team.
How they wear: They hold their shape well under heavy loads and tough workouts, offering a stay-put confidence during moves like deadlifts, squats, and the clean and snatch.
Who they’re for: Most popular with strength trainers and hybrid workouts like CrossFit that involve heavy equipment and regular floor contact (especially turf).
What to consider: Due to the thicker fabric, some wearers may prefer a lighter option for fast-paced or high-heat sessions.
Everyday Seamless Leggings
Everyday Seamless Leggings are your trusty, no-fuss leggings with a lightweight feel for days when you’re not training that hard. They are designed for comfort first and foremost, and work well for low-intensity activity like pilates or yoga. These are the leggings you’ll reach for when you want something soft and flexible, rather than compressive and sculpting.
Specs
Technical Features
Bum scrunch: No
Front seam: No
Leg lengths: Regular
Rise: Mid-to-high rise
Compression Level: Low
Fabric Weight (Thickness): Medium (approx. 320gsm)
Construction: Seamless
Waistband Type: Ribbed waistband with a softer hold
Hand Feel: Soft and flexible
Sweat Management: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
Opacity Under Load: Medium, not squat-proof
Best Worn For
Real Feel
How they feel: Soft and easy to wear from the first try-on, like a pair you’ve loved and worn for years, with minimal compression.
How they wear: Comfortable for lighter movement and all-day wear.
Who they’re for: Those looking for an easy-to-wear pair of leggings that are comfy enough for rest days, travel, walking, and casual wear, but that can work for a light workout too.
What to consider: If your training includes heavy lifting or deep squats, a thicker, more structured option like Lift Seamless may feel more supportive.
Whitney Leggings
The Whitney Leggings are our iconic studio-led style leggings, with a softer, more lifestyle-focused feel. They offer reliable performance for moderate training, and are popular amongst wearers for running and all-around training based on their personal preference. Perfect for styling outside of the gym, but able to transition to workouts with ease.
“Whitney was designed with studio movement in mind, but the fabric choice means it performs better than people expect. Soft doesn’t necessarily mean delicate.” - Laura Browne, Designer, Gymshark.
Whitney Specs
Technical Features
Bum scrunch: Yes (invisible)
Front seam: No
Leg lengths: Regular
Rise: High-rise
Compression Level: Light to medium
Fabric Weight (Thickness): Lightweight (approx. 230gsm)
Construction: Cut-and-sew
Waistband Type: Smooth waistband, no extra compression
Hand Feel: Soft, brushed exterior
Sweat Management: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
Opacity Under Load: Medium to high for studio-based movement (in darker colors)
Collection-specific features:
Made from a nylon-rich fabric, Whitney leggings offer excellent stretch and recovery and are more resistant to odour compared to polyester-based fabrics.
Best Worn For
Studio and moderate training
Yoga
Barre
Light to moderate gym sessions
Real Feel
How they feel: Smooth and brushed on the outside, with a stretchy feel that moves easily with you (great for yoga poses and pilates flows).
How they wear: Comfortable through longer studio sessions with good stretch and a bounce-back fit.
Who they’re for: The top choice for those who prefer a softer feel and minimal style for yoga, Pilates, or barre.
What to consider: If you want strong compression or structure, a seamless collection may feel more secure.
Soft Sculpt Leggings
Soft Sculpt Leggings are designed to feel like a second skin (like you’re not even wearing anything). They’re ultra-soft, highly stretchy, and designed with minimalism in mind. They’re not designed for heavy squatting, but if you want something that marries stretch and glute accentuation, these are the pair for you.
Specs
Technical Features
Bum scrunch: Raised line in between the glutes to separate and accentuate
Front seam: No
Leg lengths: Regular
Rise: Mid-to-high rise
Compression Level: Light
Fabric Weight (Thickness): Medium (approx. 365gsm)
Construction: Seamless
Waistband Type: Piqué waistband (non-ribbed)
Hand Feel: Ultra-soft and smooth
Sweat Management: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
Opacity Under Load: Medium in dark colors, not squat-proof
Collection-specific features:
The high stretch and soft hand feel make these ideal for wearing as a base layer, but because they’re so soft, they can be more prone to snagging on the barbell or abrasive surfaces.
Best Worn For
Low-to-moderate movement
Pilates
Yoga
Stretching
Light gym sessions
Real Feel
How they feel: Barely-there with that second-skin sensation, light compression, and a smooth finish.
How they wear: Gently sculpt and move with the body through slower, controlled movement.
Who they’re for: Popular with those prioritising comfort, stretch, and low-impact training.
What to consider: For workouts involving barbells or abrasive equipment, a tighter-knit pair of leggings will feel more durable.
Training Leggings
Training Leggings are a lightweight, no-frills option designed for general gym use. They’re our most affordable leggings, so if you’re new to the gym or buying your first pair, we recommend giving them a try. They offer a solid foundation to build up your leggings collection from.
“Training leggings exist to remove friction. They’re simple, functional, and unintimidating for anyone starting out in the gym.” - Gymshark Design Team.
Specs
Technical Features
Bum scrunch: No
Front seam: No
Leg lengths: Regular
Rise: Mid-High rise
Compression Level: Light to medium
Fabric Weight (Thickness): Lightweight
Construction: Cut-and-sew
Waistband Type: Smooth waistband with internal mesh support
Hand Feel: Lightweight and functional
Sweat Management: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
Opacity Under Load: Medium
Best Worn For
General gym training
Cardio machines
Weight machines
Standard gym floor sessions
Real Feel
How they feel: Smooth, stretchy, and lightweight, without heavy compression.
How they wear: Easy to move in during general gym sessions.
Who they’re for: A great choice for first-time gym-goers or those wanting a straightforward training legging without any scrunches or contouring.
What to consider: If you want a more sculpted or compressive feel, another collection may suit you better.
Lift Seamless Leggings
Looking for the ultimate lifting leggings? Look no further. Lift Seamless Leggings are designed with both aesthetics and structure in mind, with thick fabric that is squat-proof and durable, a compressive fit, and a shaping effect to enhance your glutes during lifting-focused sessions.
Specs
Technical Features
Bum scrunch: Yes
Front seam: No
Leg lengths: Regular
Rise: High-rise
Compression Level: High
Fabric Weight (Thickness): Heavy (approx. 410gsm)
Construction: Seamless
Waistband Type: Ribbed waistband
Hand Feel: Structured and compressive
Sweat Management: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
Opacity Under Load: High
Collection-specific features:
Ribbed detailing under the glutes and along the legs creates a shaping effect, giving you a subtle visual glute lift.
Best Worn For
Aesthetic-focused lifting
Strength training
Gym sessions where shape and support matter
Real Feel
How they feel: Firm and sculpting, especially through the waist and glutes.
How they wear: Stay secure and in place as you move through lifting patterns, holding their shape well throughout the workout.
Who they’re for: Loved by lifters who look for both support and shaping in the gym and that ‘snatched’ look. And as our designers explained, the rib placement and knit density are there to visually contour as you move. Purely aesthetic.
What to consider: Due to the thicker fabric, Lift Seamless Leggings are not recommended for running or high-heat training; consider a lighter pair like our Training Leggings to ensure comfort mile after mile.
How To Care For Your Gymshark Leggings
We all want to get the most wear out of our leggings, and it starts with knowing how to wash them properly. Taking care of your leggings properly helps maintain their fit, feel, and performance over time.
For the best results, wash your leggings on a cool or gentle cycle and avoid using fabric softener, as this can break down performance fibres and reduce sweat-wicking effectiveness. Air drying is also recommended when possible, as heat from tumble dryers can impact elasticity. For brighter colorways, drying out of direct sunlight can help preserve color vibrancy.
If you work out with barbells, on turf, or repetitively on the floor, you may notice wear in areas like the knees or thighs over time. This is what we call high-friction zones. This is normal for performance leggings and can be minimised by rotating pairs and matching the leggings to the type of training you’re doing (e.g thicker leggings for leg days).
We also have a guide to getting sweaty smells out of your workout clothes to keep your leggings fresher for longer.
Tips For Getting Your Sizing Right
You’ve probably found that different brands of leggings fit you differently; it’s almost like there’s no universal size guide for leggings. That’s why going by your measurements first, and how you want your leggings to feel when you move, is how you should choose your size.
If you’re in between sizes, choosing a size based on your compression preference can help you get your sizing right. Leggings with ribbed waistbands, higher GSM fabrics, or a tighter knitted construction will naturally feel more supportive and secure. These are ideal if you like a held-in feel during training. Either choose your regular size or size up; sizing up in a compressive pair will likely still offer you the support you need if in between sizes.
Softer, lighter leggings will feel more forgiving and relaxed, making them better suited to low-impact or all-day wear. Size down if you’re in between sizes, or choose your regular size here.
How To Choose The Right Leggings For You
If you prefer a compressive, held-in feel →
Choose Adapt or Vital. Both offer a supportive fit, but in different ways. Adapt provides the highest level of compression and structure, making it ideal for strength training and heavy lifts. Vital offers a slightly more flexible, all-around compression that works well if your workouts mix lifting with conditioning or cardio.
If you like a lighter, more flexible feel →
Choose Whitney or Everyday. These collections prioritise comfort and high-stretch designs. Whitney has a soft, brushed finish that works well for studio-based training and moderate workouts, while Everyday is designed for low-impact movement, walking, travel, and casual wear - dare we say it, it’s in the name.
If your training is lifting-focused →
Choose Adapt or Lift. Adapt is built for performance and support under load, while Lift Seamless is designed with both compression and visual shaping in mind. If you want maximum structure for squats and heavy sessions, Adapt is the most supportive option. If you want a sculpted look alongside your lifts, Lift is a strong choice.
If comfort is your main priority →
Choose Everyday or Soft Sculpt. These leggings are designed to feel softer on the body and move easily with you. Everyday offers a relaxed, wearable feel for light activity, while Soft Sculpt provides a second-skin sensation that’s ideal for stretching, Pilates, and low-intensity sessions.
If shape enhancement matters to you →
Choose Lift. Its strategically placed ribbing and compressive fabric are designed to visually enhance the glutes, making it a popular option for gym sessions where both performance and getting that progress pic are priorities.
If you train outdoors or in varied conditions →
Choose Vital or Adapt. Their thicker fabrics and supportive construction can feel more protective and durable for training outside or in cooler environments.
If this is your first pair of gym leggings →
Choose Training or Vital, depending on what style you prefer. Training leggings provide a lightweight, no-fuss option for general gym use, while Vital offers more support if you want a legging that can adapt as your training evolves.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to it, choosing the right pair of leggings isn’t about finding the most popular style or the one that looks good on other people. It’s about matching the leggings to how you actually move, how much support you like, and how you want them to feel during your workouts.
While a few collections may look similar at first glance, from this breakdown, we’ve explored how the compression, thickness, and fabrics used all contribute to a completely different real feel. And now you should know your Vital’s from your Everyday’s.
If you’re new to Gymshark, it can be easy to go down the aesthetic route when scrolling through our leggings, but we’d recommend thinking about your training first. A lighter, more forgiving legging can be the right choice if you’re easing into workouts or prioritising comfort, while a thicker, more compressive option can make a big difference if you’re lifting heavy or want more support and confidence as you pile on the plates.
Most importantly, your needs can change over time. Many people end up owning more than one pair for different types of training, and that’s exactly how these collections are designed to work together.
There’s no “wrong” choice here. Just the right leggings for you, right now.
