Workout Leggings vs. Regular Leggings

With leggings becoming a staple in everyday wardrobes, you might think that your regular leggings can make a great addition to your gym look. While leggings are a great addition to your wardrobe, you should only be using workout leggings before hitting the gym. There are a number of factors that separate workout leggings from regular leggings.

Sheerness

Regular leggings tend to be more sheer than workout leggings. While this may not be a problem during regular activities, during strenuous workouts or while squatting, you could be showing off more than you imagined. We carry a variety of squat-proof workout leggings designed for your workouts.

Fit

Regular leggings are incredibly comfortable but tend to be looser than workout leggings. If you wore them during exercise, you might find yourself repeatedly adjusting them or pulling them back up as they fall down. As we mentioned earlier, regular leggings tend not to be squat-proof. In addition to their sheerness, this loose fit means squats and other stretches will be more cumbersome in traditional leggings. Workout leggings are designed with these problems in mind. They will be snug without being too tight. There are a variety of materials and fits that you can find among workout leggings, including soft compression and heavy compression varieties for even better support than traditional workout leggings.

Materials

Your regular leggings are soft and comfortable thanks to their cotton content. Many brands are made with 100% cotton which provides great comfort for a relaxing day. As soon as you start to sweat, though, those leggings will not be so comfortable. Cotton is hydrophilic and can retain up to 25 times its weight in water, meaning you will start to feel the results of your exercise. Workout leggings are made from a variety of materials to prevent you from getting soggy during a workout. Materials that are moisture wicking will absorb your sweat and move it to the surface of your leggings, allowing it to quickly dry. Some of the most popular materials in workout leggings are nylon, spandex, and polyester.

Nylon

Nylon's moisture-wicking and form-fitting properties have made it a popular choice among sportswear and athleisure apparel. It is incredibly stretchy while featuring seams that are flexible and durable. Leggings made from nylon will be lightweight and will not wrinkle easily, meaning you will not have to worry about picking these off the floor for a quick outfit.

Spandex

Spandex has an extraordinary stretching ability that has made it incredibly popular in the world of workout leggings. While spandex on its own is not comfortable, when it is blended with other materials like nylon or polyester, the final product is a comfortable, stretchy, and versatile pair of leggings. Nylon and spandex is a popular combination, giving you moisture-wicking properties on top of a great form fitting look and impressive stretching ability.

Polyester

Polyester is a hydrophobic, durable, and breathable material. Thanks to its hydrophobic qualities, it is water resistant and moisture-wicking, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves an intense workout. Its UV-retardant properties also make it a great choice for outdoor workouts and its insulating properties mean it will keep you warm while working outside in the cold.

Sizing

When buying traditional leggings, you likely already have a size in mind that fits you well. When approaching workout leggings, though, this can change drastically. Getting the best fit possible is important when choosing workout leggings, since you want to be taking advantage of all their beneficial properties. Compression leggings that are too big will not give you the support you want or need from your leggings. To alleviate this, be sure to always check sizing charts and pick the size provided, rather than going with the size you would choose for regular leggings.

Style

Both regular leggings and workout leggings have become more mainstream over the years, leading to great fashion trends in both. The downside to regular leggings is that they will not work well with your athleisure looks and accessories like crop hoodies. Sportswear and workout leggings are designed to pair well with your sports bras, hoodies, and other tops to create athletic looks that can double as streetwear.

At Bombshell Sportswear, we know everyone enjoys a different type of fit. Our variety of leggings comes in several types of materials and a range of style options to ensure you can find the look that is uniquely you. If you have any questions about our variety of workout leggings, feel free to reach out to us at any time. We would be happy to help in any way we can.