I remember when I first started running about 14 years ago I used to do it in cargo shorts, I thought the baggier the better, cover up all those lumps and bumps (I also remember running in hiking boots once, how I didn’t bust a shin I do not know). Looking back I realise how difficult I was making things, not to mention the friction burn between my thighs, ouch. I never really understood why people used skin-tight clothing whilst working out, surely it was more restrictive, then my Mum got me some capri tights and the penny dropped.

There seems to be a bit of an issue with the men I work out with and the idea of exercise leggings, I guess as there is a lack of leggings for men in everyday high street fashion they are worried that putting a pair on will result in the Dude Police rocking up and revoking their male membership. It was only after pointing out that the buffest and most muscly PT in the gym wore leggings that I managed to persuade one of them into giving it a go and, albeit wearing shorts over the top, he realised how much better it was

These fitted leggings feature UA’s Next-to-skin without the squeeze design that hug your skin but allow complete freedom of movement for all those horrible things like lunges, tuck jumps and burpees. These leggings are missing a draw string which would help prevent the threat of a builder’s bum during movements like mountain climbers, however there is an envelope back storage pocket designed into the waistband to store valuables that are easily accessible during the workout, no zips no poppers but secure.

One of the downsides to working out a lot is how often you will end up washing your gym gear. Unless you want to gross out your gym buddies, you can only get away with wearing something once before you need to throw it in the wash again. This means, as I work out 5-6 times a week, I have a hell of a lot of gym tights, so I like to think myself as a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to what makes a decent pair of work out bottoms.

I am going to let you into a secret here lads: us girls don’t wear gym and running leggings just because they make our butts and legs look great. It’s a bonus but they serve a much more important benefit than that.