Sweaty Betty Power Leggings: We've given them 5 stars for good reason

Look no further than the aptly-named Sweaty Betty Power Leggings if you're looking for a pair of leggings that work harder than you do. We've put them through their paces with real-life testing to see if they are worthy of their reputation and to make they hop, skip, and squat-proof.

When it comes to exercise, the one thing that can really make or break a workout is your activewear. Running with leggings that fall down, in the gym with nowhere to put your phone, or dealing with cold ankles in the winter months can all send a promising workout downhill. 

We've trialled a wide range of leggings here at woman&home, from the best leggings overall to more niche picks like the best leggings with pockets and these leggings come up tops every time – especially when they're in the Sweaty Betty sale. With all the details you'll need to figure out if they're for you, from how good they are to move in and squat in to how good they look post-sweat session, this is our review of the Sweaty Betty Power Leggings. 

Sweaty Betty Power Leggings specifications

• Materials: Polyamide and elastane 
• Pockets: 2 - one side pocket, one back pocket
• Inseam length: 24" / 60cm
• Colors: 26, including patterns
• Suitable for: Weight training, cardio activity

Who are the Sweaty Betty Power Leggings for? 

The Sweaty Betty Power Leggings are made for those who do intense exercise primarily. They're built to be hardwearing and highly functional, evident from the drawstring in the waistband, the two pockets - one for storing your keys and the other for storing your phone - and four-way material stretch. 

However, if you prefer a light walk then these will also work - and they'll look great while you're doing it as these leggings come in an impressive 26 different colors, a selection that include patterns like leopard print, space-age triangle construction prints, and galaxy-inspired designs. 

What's the fabric like?

On first touch, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Sweaty Betty Power Leggings didn’t feel quite as powerful as their name suggests. The fabric is thin – but that doesn’t mean poor quality.

The magic lies in the stretch, meaning these leggings are not only comfortable to wear, but a doddle to pull on and off. It’s all thanks to the high elastane content, which snaps back into place as soon as you put them on, hugging and honing your figure.

We tried a patterned pair for this review and one of the things that impressed us most was that the print didn’t distort or smear over our hips or thighs. Instead, it was continuously sized all over.

Lightweight fabric doesn’t mean see-through, either. Putting Sweaty Betty’s ‘90% squat proof’ promise to the test, we wore ours with legging-unfriendly black seamed knickers and were impressed to find they were completely camouflaged as we bobbed into squats and lunges. 

As you’d expect from a pair of workout leggings, the fabric is sweat-wicking, meaning it draws moisture away from your body to keep you cool and comfortable - much like many of the best sports bras. It also means they’ll dry quickly, too – handy if you wash your kit daily or enjoy back-to-back classes. 

Having said that, a handful of online reviewers on the Sweaty Betty site have complained of sweat patches showing through their leggings. We, too, found that sweat patches were visible, proof that not even Sweaty Betty is immune to those pesky marks when you're working hard. 

The Power leggings are among the best black gym leggings. As with all clothing, dark colours and busy patterns are better at disguising sweat marks than lighter shades, so bear this in mind if it’s something you feel self-conscious about.

What are Sweaty Better Power Leggings like to work out in? 

Working together, we found the high waist and adjustable drawstring toggle keep these leggings perfectly in place through downwards dogs to 10K jogs. The panelling across the top is double-lined, too, for extra stomach-smoothing support. 

There are few gym fears more terrifying than the thought of your leggings tearing across the seam mid-squat, but there’s no need to fret. The reinforced crotch is proof that Sweaty Betty really has thought of everything. 

Scoring top marks as some of the best gym leggings with pockets, the small zipped pocket at the back of the leggings has space for your keys and card. You could even squeeze in an energy gel to keep you going on a long run or hike.

The deep pocket along the left hand side is roomy enough to keep your mobile phone snug against your thigh when you’re on the go as well. 

Available in three different leg lengths, choose from full length, 7/8 length or cropped. We had two testers try these leggings out - one stands at 5ft 4inches and the other is about 5ft 10inches. Both were about to find what they needed with the full length leggings, however, they are better suited to those slightly taller. If you're worried about bunching around the ankles, we suggest opting for a shorter leg length.

While it's not a feature that'll be a priority for everyone, Sweaty Betty Power Leggings do boast a bum-boosting feature, lifting and sculpting your bum to offer that post-strength training look, even if you're just heading out for a stroll. It’s all down to a cleverly constructed series of seams that work together to lift and hone.  

Are the leggings comfortable? 

Yes, these leggings are so comfortable. They're form-fitting but not so tight your movement is restricted and the material offers a second-skin feel that makes them ideal for the sweatiest workouts as they don't cling and dry easily. 

We liked that they’re designed to work for a range of activities, saving you money and time spent shopping for a wardrobe of different exercise leggings. 

Extra features

The fit is so snug, in fact, Sweaty Betty’s Power Leggings count as compression leggings. There’s plenty of science behind the term, but simply put, it describes leggings that fit tightly along the leg. By ‘compressing’ your legs, they increase blood flow to the area, helping your muscles receive more oxygen.

According to some research from University of Triangulo Mineiro, not only will wearing compression leggings improve your performance, they’ll help reduce those dreaded post-gym aches, too. Win-win. 

For summer, take a look at the Sweaty Betty Power shorts, one of the best running shorts for women running longer distances thanks to this compression feature.

Are the Sweaty Betty Power Leggings worth the price?

Absolutely. The Sweaty Betty Power Leggings may be an expensive investment where activewear and workout motivation is concerned if you're not used to splashing out on gym kit, it's an investment worth making as you really get what you pay for. Our testers have had their leggings for over two years and they've stood the test of time, looking and feeling exactly the same as they did when they first bought them. 

However, the Sweaty Betty Power Leggings are still on the pricier end of the spectrum when it comes to workout wear so it's worth looking out for deals over the holidays, Black Friday, and in designer outlets, many of which in the UK feature Sweaty Betty as a key store.