Compression pants are designed to hug the body like a second skin and optimize your workout while protecting your body from injury. You cannot go wrong with the right pair of compression pants for your workouts!
I started wearing compression pants during my workouts a few weeks ago and they have been a total game-changer for my fitness regimen.
I was skeptical initially and wasn’t convinced they would do much but the compression pants I bought have exceeded all my expectations.
In this article, I break down the benefits of compression pants and share the top-recommended compression pants including the pair I am currently devoted to!
What Do Compression Pants Do?
Compression pants are tight-fitting garments worn during exercise, or other physical activities and are designed to support and stabilize the muscles.
They are usually made out of stretchy, breathable, and moisture-wicking materials like nylon or spandex. Compression pants are aka compression leggings or tights.
Well-made compression pants compress the muscles in the hips and legs. But do compression pants actually work? Read on to learn more…
9 Benefits of Compression Pants
1. Supports the Muscles
Good compression pants provide extra muscle support during exercise which helps reduce the incidence of fatigue and soreness after exercise.
2. Reduces Risk of Injury
Compression pants provide extra stability to the joints which helps reduce the risk of injuries during exercise.
3. Enhances Performance
Compression pants help enhance your performance while exercising due to the added muscle support and improved blood flow.
4. Promotes Faster Recovery
This is my favorite benefit of compression pants so far. Before I started wearing them, I had a knee thing that wouldn’t go away as well as soreness in my left hip.
Both of these problems went away after 3 weeks of wearing my compression pants during workouts every day.
In fact, this 2019 study concluded compression pants have a huge impact on muscle protection and recovery
5. Improves Blood Flow
Because compression pants compress the muscles, blood flow to the muscles is increased during exercise which in turn improves your performance and reduces the risk of injuries.
6. Improves Flexibility
Compression pants are supposed to improve the range of motion and enhance flexibility so you can stretch, bend, etc further.
I was already flexible before I started wearing them so not sure if this benefit is real or not.
7. Keeps Sweat Away from Your Skin
Most compression pants are equipped with moisture-wicking technology. Moisture-wicking technology keeps you cool and dry during exercise no matter how much you sweat.
8. Works for All Weathers
Some compression pants are also great for wearing when it’s cold, so you’re warmer or when it’s warm, so you’re cooler.
I have these compression pants from Under Armour for cold weather.
9. Stylish Options Available
If you’re super invested in how the compression pants look when they’re on, they’re available in a multitude of colors, styles, and patterns so there’s something for every taste.
Which Compression Tights Are Best?
Below are the top 5 recommended compression pants for women:-
1. Bracelayer Compression Tights
These are the compression pants I wear during my exercise. The first day I wore them, I found them uncomfortable and super tight.
That’s not because they were the wrong size. They were the right size. I just wasn’t used to such tightness but I pressed on.
Bracelayer Compression Tights are athletic tights that offer high-performance features such as 4-way stretch, moisture-wicking, and anti-bacterial lycra base.
Bracelayer says about their compression pants:-
“What makes Bracelayer Compression Gear standout from the competition is our unique Tri-Tech construction which incorporates a thin layer of medical-grade, ventilated neoprene around the knees, IT bands and hips to improve balance and stability while reducing joint pain.”
Best features of Bracelayer Compression Tights at a glance:-
- Compression mesh
- Medical-grade ventilated neoprene
- Anti-bacterial & moisture-wicking lycra
- No slip waistband with silicone wave beading
- 4-way stretch
Available in full length and 3/4 length. I will write a more comprehensive review of the Bracelayer Compression Tights in the next article.
2. Under Armour Train Cold Weather Full-Length Leggings
These are my second pair of compression pants which I bought for my walking challenges. I go up to 27,000 steps a day sometimes and sweat quite a bit.
Best features of Under Armour Train Cold Weather Full-Length Leggings at a glance:-
- Ultra-tight compression
- High-rise
- Dual-layer ColdGear® fabric
- Ultra-warm brushed interior
- Smooth, fast-drying exterior
- 4-way stretch material moves better in every direction
- No-Slip waistband for optimal coverage
- Side drop-in pocket
It’s available in four colors – teal, gray, charcoal, black, and regular and tall sizes.
I’ve only worn these once and I really love the fit, material, and compression level. Check Under Armour Train Cold Weather Leggings reviews here.
3. Sweaty Betty Power Workout Leggings
Sweaty Betty Power Workout Leggings are made of polyamide elastane fabric for a supportive workout. They are soft, light, and designed for every workout.
Best features of the Power Workout Leggings at a glance:-
- Super stretchy fabric with flattering seams to sculpt the bum.
- Sweat-wicking
- Quick-drying
- Side pocket
- Back zip pocket
- Bum sculpting
Available in 22 colors and patterns plus full length or 7/8 length. Check Sweaty Betty Power Workout Leggings reviews here.
4. Lululemon SenseKnit High Rise Running Tight 28”
The Lululemon SenseKnit High Rise Tight provides targeted support and breathability with the trademarked SenseKnit technology.
Best features of Lululemon SenseKnit High Rise Tight at a glance:-
- Powered by our SenseKnit™ technology
- High rise
- Fold over envelope pockets
- Four way stretch
- Sweat-wicking
- Quick-drying
The compression tight is available in black and grey. Check Lululemon SenseKnit High Rise Tight reviews here.
5. Adidas Women’s Believe This 2.0 3-Stripes 7/8 Tights
Adidas Women’s Believe This 2.0 Tights are high-rise with moisture-wicking fabric that molds to every move. Best features of Adidas Women’s Believe This 2.0 Tights at a glance:-
- High rise
- Moisture-absorbing AEROREADY
- Mesh gusset
- Inner waist pocket
The tights are available in 17 colors. Check Adidas Women’s Believe This 2.0 Tights reviews here.
What To Look for When Buying Compression Pants
1. Durable Material
Good compression pants are made from high-quality materials that encourage blood flow, breathability, stretchability and are moisture-wicking.
This prevents discomfort during your workout and allows for proper air circulation.
2. Excellent Compression
Your compression pants should offer the right level of compression you’re looking for which could be light to extra tight.
3. Good Fit
Compression pants are supposed to be tight but not so tight that you find it hard to breathe or move comfortably in them.
I mentioned above my compression pants were super uncomfortable for the first few days because I wasn’t used to them but after a week, they sort of molded to my shape and now fit perfectly.
Always check the measurement recommendations from the manufacturer before you order compression pants because your usual size isn’t the size you should go for.
4. Long Lasting
You will need to wash your compression pants quite a bit and you want to choose a pair that will withstand all that without losing their compression abilities.
5. Budget
Decide on your budget before you go hunting for compression pants but keep in mind, good compression pants are rarely cheap but they are worth the investment.
6. Research and Check Reviews
Be sure to do a lot of research and go through all the good and bad reviews before you decide on the best compression pants for your needs.
Where To Buy Compression Pants?
Compression pants are available in various styles and lengths – full-length, three-quarter length, and biker shorts length.
Keep in mind compression pants are not cheap and I groaned when I saw the price before I bought mine but they are worth every penny and do last a long time!
You can find the compression pants recommend above and other brands at the following retailers:-
FAQs About Compression Tights
Are Compression Pants Good For Knees?
The pressure compression tights provide improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. This can be beneficial for knee pain.
Compression pants also support the knees so they’re less prone to injury. I had a nagging knee issue that wouldn’t go away before I started wearing compression pants.
It’s been about 4 weeks since I started with these pants and the knee issue has completely disappeared.
Note, if you have a serious knee injury, you still need to see a medical professional. Compression pants cannot make that go away.
Can You Wear Compression Pants All Day?
While compression pants are beneficial, it’s not recommended to wear them all day.
Depending on the material the compression pants are made out of, it could irritate the skin and cause discomfort by reducing blood flow.
It’s best to limit the use of compression tights to the workout period and immediately after.
Are Compression Tights Worth It?
Based on the benefits my body has experienced since I started wearing compression pants, I believe compression pants are worth the investment.
However, you might feel they are too expensive so start with a low-cost solution during a sales period and then go on from there.
How Many Times Can You Wear Compression Pants Before They Need To Be Washed?
It’s recommended to wash compression pants after each use because sweat and bacteria can build up on the fabric.
However, I wash mine after every 2 – 3 uses. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach while washing your compression pants as that can damage the fabric and compression abilities.
Additionally, always wash in cold water with the delicate cycle and hang to dry.
Final Thoughts on Compression Pants
Compression pants offer a multitude of benefits for every body type and you can’t really go wrong switching to compression pants to make your workouts even better.
Abi is all about staying in the best shape of your life at every age without having to starve yourself to make it happen. She’s been on her fitness journey since the age of 15 and doesn’t plan on letting up anytime soon. She’s currently studying to become a Certified Nutritionist. Learn more about Abi and her favorite fitness tools HERE. See our Editorial Guidelines here.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.