THESE ARE, HANDS DOWN, THE BEST PETITE GYM LEGGINGS THAT MONEY CAN BUY ACCORDING TO OUR 5FT 1 EDITORS

Ah, gym leggings. As a petite girl (I'm talking 5ft1), I've always struggled to find the best gym leggings that don't bunch up around my ankles or sag at the waist. If you're also on the shorter side, then you definitely know what I'm talking about.

Luckily, lots of my favourite brands have started to cater to shorter leg lengths, and here at MC UK, we couldn't be happier about it. After discovering my first pair of petite gym leggings and realising how much easier it was to work out in sportswear that actually fit me, I got testing.

Knowing where to start was the hardest part. Rather than testing for the best high-waisted workout leggings, patterned gym leggings or gym leggings with pockets, I focused on options specifically designed for shorter legs - so 5ft4 and under - and tried a range of high-waisted, low-waisted, patterned and plain styles.

I also enrolled the help of Marie Claire UK's Writer, Grace Lindsay, Fashion Writer, Sofia Piza and Junior Shopping Editor Valeza Bakolli. Although we might be similar heights, when it comes to working out, Grace, Sofia, Valeza and I have very different methods. While Sofia and I love nothing more than a long-distance run and a bit of weight training thrown in for fun, you'll find Grace at home doing a quick 20-minute HIIT workout before heading to the office, and Valeza loves nothing more than a low-impact Pilates, yoga or Barre workout.

Keep on scrolling for our top picks of petite gym leggings for all kinds of workouts, and say goodbye to baggy leggings for good...

Testing process

So, what did we look for when testing the best petite gym leggings? The fit was the most important thing. We wanted leggings that weren't too long on the leg, but still supported us during our workouts. As above, when it comes to fit kit and general clothing, petite is classed as 5ft4 or less, so we made sure to take this into account.

Of course, we also looked at things such as how sweat-wicking they were, and if they were comfortable enough to wear from the gym to the local coffee shop (just like our favourites in our matching gym sets edit).

What did I look for when testing petite gym leggings?

Are the leggings the right length?
Do they run true to size?
Are they sweat-wicking?
Are they non-see-through?
How did the material wash?
Is the product a reasonable price?

11 of the best petite gym leggings to buy now:

Best home workout leggings

"I've owned these leggings for over five years now (yes, really) and they still look as good as new. I bought them on a whim as I was looking for a new pair of simple, everyday leggings and these seemed like good value for money, and I was right. The length is perfect on me (if you're taller than 5ft1 they might be slightly cropped), and the mid-rise waist is super supportive. The light grey colour option will show up sweat, but I'm a fan of the black. Thanks to the fit, they suit pretty much any style of exercise." - Grace Lindsay, Writer

Best gym-to-brunch leggings

"I used to think that Adanola was more of a fashion brand than an activewear brand, but boy was I wrong. Not only are these the softest leggings I have ever worn, but they are great for working out, too. The 7/8 length means they are perfect for petites, and can definitely be worn both to the gym and to brunch with the girls. I love this colour for autumn, however if you're doing a really intense sweat session, black might be better. You have been warned." - Grace Lindsay, Writer

Best leggings for any workout

"Sweaty Betty has been my go-to sportswear brand for a while now. Although the leggings are a little more on the pricey side, they will last you for years to come. The brand offers a wide range of 7/8 length styles, and the Power leggings are my favourite. When I tested, I found that the stretchy fabric meant that they are comfortable no matter what workout you are doing, plus they sweat-wicked well. What more could you want?" - Grace Lindsay, Writer

Best affordable leggings

"The ASOS 4505 range is one of the best budget gym legging options out there, in my opinion. They have a range of different colours and custom fits - for example, slightly different designs for running and gym sessions - and petite options for us short girls, too. I've tried both the gym and run 4505 designs and both sweat wick well. When testing for this article, I also thought that they offer a surprising amount of compression for a lower price point legging, plus at 5ft2, sat just above my ankle - the perfect petite length. That said, do note that mine started to sag and retain that old PE-kit smell after around six months or so." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

Best yoga leggings

"These leggings are another great investment that'll last you for years to come. The Align leggings are designed for more gentle workouts such as yoga, and I'm not ashamed to say that I wear mine almost every day. Although they are advertised as a cropped style, the 23" leg is perfect on me, and I could even get away with the 21" leg as well. (Note that Ally wears the 25" at 5ft2, so it's worth trying on to see what suits you). When testing, I found that they ran true to size, fit comfortably, and were non-see-through, too. They also came out of the wash looking as good as new. Nothing bad to say here." - Grace Lindsay, Writer

Best high-quality on a budget leggings

"Adidas have long been one of my go-to's for budget but high-quality workout tights. I've always found them to be both affordable and genuinely good for working out in - that is, they sweat wick, compress, and flatter, too. Despite their essentials tights being only £35 (and currently on sale for less than £28), I've had mine for years now and they've never stretched or smelt. On the petite front, they have a 7/8 design which meant the legging sits just above my ankle at 5ft2." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

Best running leggings

"I recently ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon - my first half - in these leggings and they were a dream. While not specifically designed for petite women, they sit perfectly around my ankle (I'm 5ft 4). They're also seamless and run true to size. As a petite girl, I've long struggled with leggings that are too long and bunch around the ankles, or leggings that fit my leg length but ride down. During my 13.1 mile run last week, they did neither of these things, keeping me dry, comfortable, and supported throughout." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer

Best cross-waist leggings

"These leggings from BAM are incredibly comfy thanks to their soft, stretchy and supportive material that’s made using bamboo viscose and organic cotton. They’re lightweight and breathable but still manage to be super opaque (meaning they pass the squat test). One thing I will mention - these leggings aren’t the most sweat-wicking, so are better suited to low-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates than, say, a 10-mile run. The ⅞ length makes them perfect for petite frames, and the flattering cross-over waistband doesn’t slip down, no matter how many Downward Facing Dogs and Tree poses I do." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

Best form-fitting leggings

"I've used long socks to hide leggings that are too long for my legs for years - but no longer, thanks to the 7/8 leggings from Alo Yoga specifically designed with petite women in mind. They're the first I ever tried that really blew me away - they fit me like a glove and sit at the perfect leg length above my ankle. I've worn these both in sweaty gym classes and to run errands and they're always flattering, form-fitting and comfortable, plus actually fit properly, meaning I can wear them with low-rise socks and trainers." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer

Best sustainable leggings

"If you don't own any kit from LNDR, this is your sign. The female-founded kit company promises to produce sustainable, high-quality workout leggings here in the UK, and offer not one but two petite options. So what did I think when testing? I tried the 7/8 ankle grazing petite - you can also get a 6/8 cropped length - and they felt like butter and fit like a glove, sitting just above my ankle with no crinkly knees. They're super lightweight and sweat wick quickly, too. An investment but worth the price tag as you'll wear them for years to come (I've had mine for yonks now)." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

Best HIIT leggings

"These leggings are from SEFI, the activewear brand created by fitness influencer Stef Williams. When I first put these on, I knew I was going to love them. First of all, the brown colour is beautiful for autumn, and the material is super thick and supportive. The length was spot on, and in my opinion they would work for all petite ladies under 5ft4. I did a very sweaty HIIT workout in these, and you couldn't see one single patch of moisture. An absolute winner." - Grace Lindsay, Writer

Are 7/8 leggings good for petite frames?

Short answer - yes, they are, as they're shorter in the leg that other alternatives. Opting for a 7/8 length leg also means you're able to shop all of the most popular designs and styles but just at a length that'll actually fit your leg, no crinkles or bunched material around the ankle.

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