Aptly named, these Adanola are my personal favourite when prepping for Pilates, and I know my fellow Glamour editors feel the same. Mutually, we agree that they’re the best at smoothing without squashing, giving you a full range of motion to follow your instructor. The lacking front seam also reduces the risk of an uncomfortable camel toe.

We can’t complain when it comes to colour, with 21 options including universally flattering khaki green, or the fact that you’ve got three choices when it comes to length. Granted, there are no hidden pockets in this pair, but that is far from a deal-breaker. Value-wise, another win, with a pair — which will take you from Pilates to brunch, and even to the office when paired with knee-high boots — coming in at under £50.

24/7 Revitalise High Waisted Leggings

Pros & Cons

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Pros

• Multiple size and fit options to suit all shapes.
• Nearly all online shoppers awarded them 5/5 stars.
• No specific washing requirements — although we’d skip the tumble dryer.

Cons

• Stock fluctuates, so keep an eye on your size.

Lovall has long been our go-to for black leggings for everyday wear, but the brand has branched into activewear, too — and for leggings that are guaranteed to fit exactly how you want, I insist you look nowhere else. Not only do these velvety leggings come in three different styles (full length, 7/8s or flare) but also in three different lengths (regular, petite or tall) and in every size from a UK 6 to a 28, rather than a (non-universal) XS — XL size range.

The leggings themselves were the best in terms of sweat-wicking — even after a particularly taxing hot pilates session, I wasn’t betrayed by embarrassing sweat marks above and around my butt. And yes, I can confirm that the high waistband stayed in place, even when damp. The quality is amazing, too — they don’t pill, sag, or stretch out, and I can toss them in the wash with pretty much any load. Sigh. I love them.

Vital Soft Leggings

Pros & Cons

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Pros

• Soft, stretchy and lightweight.
• Super high-waisted, offering extra coverage and tummy support.
• Fitted with a glute-popping bum scrunch.

Cons

• The brand admits the fabric becomes sheer when pushed to its limit.

Gymshark is usually our first port of call for gear to wear while heavy lifting. PSA: the Vital Leggings, best suited to strength and conditioning sessions, have racked up more than 3.2k five-star reviews. But the Vital Soft Leggings are the Pilates girl equivalent. While marketed for rest days, we found that soft and sculpting — essential for a pair to wear while on the reformer.

The reason these didn’t take the top spot? Limited colour options, and none when it comes to length — you either love the 7/8 cut, or you move on. But super stretchy, and fitted with a super high waistband that’s going nowhere, they’re a pair I regularly reach for.

Ultimate Low Cross Back Unitard

Pros & Cons

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Pros

• Smoothing, sculpting and delivering four-way stretch.
• True to size.
• Broad size range: XXS (UK 4-6) — 3XL (18-20).

Cons

• Limited colour range.

An unnecessary stress? Trying to find the matching sports bra to go with my chosen leggings. Thankfully, a unitard solves that problem and is ideal for slipping on pre-morning pilates. I can confirm that the compressive, active fit and adjustable straps of this one from Adanola made me feel supported and sculpted, without suppressing my ability to move. I also loved the low cross-back detail and burgundy colourway — this is functional fashion. Fully squat-proof (I asked my bestie to check) and crafted from 70% recycled materials, this was an obvious recommendation.

Save when you shop the best Pilates leggings with these Adanola discount codes.

EffortlessLift Seamless Mid Rise Leggings

Pros & Cons

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Pros

• Plenty of stretch for a second-skin feel.
• Two-tier, ribbed waistband offers support and compression.
• Signature bum scrunch gives a flattering fit.

Cons

• Mid-rise waistband, rather than high.

There’s no shame in admitting that we want to look good while working on our core strength. Enter: scrunch bum leggings, designed to deliver a subtle booty lift, but are also 100% squat-proof, thanks to the additional fabric. I’ll admit that I received not one but two compliments from my other half while wearing this pair from Oner Active, and while I don’t usually opt for a mid-rise style, these were super comfortable, provided plenty of support across my middriff and didn’t roll down. Available in five classic colours (Black, True Blue, Dark Khaki, Fiery Red and Velvet Mocha), they should also work with your existing activewear separates.