I finally discovered the joy of wearing comfortable yoga pants and workout
leggings as an alternative to jeans or pants after beginning a successful ketogenic diet journey that culminated in a nearly 60–pound weight loss. After purchasing
several different styles and sizes of yoga pants over the past 21 months,
there have been three (so far) that I can recommend highly, each for different
reasons. The pair I've chosen to feature in this product review, the IUGA high-waisted workout leggings, are by far the most comfortable yoga pants for women I've
tried.
They not only feel wonderful and are available in a choice of several, they're
also flattering, even on those of us who aren't blessed with model-perfect
bodies.
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There's no bunching, bagging, or binding with these ultra-soft,
ultra-comfy workout leggings!
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Yoga Pants and Workout Leggings Have Become Wardrobe Staples
The fashion experts at Vogue magazine just released this
year's Vogue Wardrobe Essentials Guide. and black workout leggings are one of the editors' 34
wardrobe staples for 2021. (Who knew?)
Originally, yoga pants and workout leggings were made
specifically for yoga practice and working out, respectively, and had
different fabric and design features. But as they have evolved from
fitness-only to fashion, those distinctions have gradually eroded, and now the
terms "yoga pants" and "leggings" are often used either together or
interchangeably in product descriptions.
Yoga Pants Provide Greater Comfort and Freedom of Movement Than Pants or
Jeans
My first time buying a pair of yoga pants wasn't until shortly after my 65th
birthday, when I began a health-driven weight loss journey and switched to a
clean, ketogenic approach to eating. I completely eliminated sugars, grains,
and highly processed foods from my diet, and between May 2019 and August 2020,
I lost 59 pounds and went from a size 16-18 to a size 6-8. Every two to three
months (even less, at the beginning), I was dropping a size, and boxing up my
almost-new clothing to donate. Having to buy them again in a smaller size
every few months meant limiting my clothing purchases to a few, basic wardrobe
staples—underwear, jeans, black pants, shorts, and a couple of tops—until I
reached my weight loss goal.
As you may have noticed, neither yoga pants nor leggings were on my initial
list of wardrobe staples. I had always associated them with much younger,
slimmer women and girls, with taut, toned bodies and cute figures, so they
weren't even on my radar at that point! However, my attitude toward this type
of clothing changed significantly once I accepted that my commitment to
healthier living would require becoming more active, in addition to nourishing
my body better.
One of the most important benefits of losing weight and follow a clean,
ketogenic diet was the amelioration, and eventual elimination, of the chronic,
acute pain in my knees, hips, back, and feet that I had been living with for
decades. Being able to go for a walk or a Segway ride with my husband
without being in agony was not just liberating, but life-changing! As I was
searching online for a new, smaller pair of classic, high-waisted, basic black
pants (which I wore more often than anything else I owned), I was surprised to
see more high-waisted leggings and yoga pants than regular pants in the search
results. It occurred to me that it might be a good idea to expand my list of
wardrobe staples to include a couple of pieces of activewear, to support and
encourage my efforts to make physical activity part of my new, healthy
lifestyle. In fact, it might even be time for me to consider a pair of workout
leggings a try.
Of course, I could wear them...but should I? Would it
be possible for yoga pants to look attractive (or, at least, not unattractive)
and age-appropriate, on this out-of-shape senior? I debated with myself for a
while, but finally acknowledged that I couldn't see myself objectively, and
decided to ask my husband what he thought, knowing he would give me his honest
opinion. He encouraged me to order a pair and try them on.
When I did, I was surprised and delighted at his reaction, which was more
positive than I could have imagined! You could have knocked me down with a
feather. I also was thrilled to discover how much more comfortable and less
restrictive those yoga pants felt, compared to the jeans and tailored pants I
had always worn, Before long, I found myself wearing them several days a week,
not only for walks and Segway rides, but also for routine, everyday
activities, like working, reading, cooking, or watching a movie. They quickly
went from being completely off my radar to becoming a staple in my new
wardrobe.
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I'm pulling my hamstring and calf muscles together as far as I can,
the fabric doesn't bind or cut into them, it simply conforms to the
compression I'm creating
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Since that first pair, I have purchased other pairs from different brands and
with slightly different features, and my IUGA high-waisted workout leggings have been the most comfortable yoga pants I've owned to date.
What I Love Most About My IUGA High-Waisted Leggings
Ultra-Soft, Opaque Fabric
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The first thing I noticed about these yoga pants was the extremely soft, silky, luxurious fabric,
which gave these a totally different feel than any of my other leggings.
The best word I can think of to describe it is "touchable," with a lovely,
tactile quality similar to that of microfiber.
- The "non see through" fabric is completely opaque.
Flattering Fit
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The fiber content blends polyester for shape retention with spandex for
excellent stretch and recovery, as well as abrasion-resistance.*
- The 4-way stretch provides good compression and support.
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The high-waisted silhouette, seamed front and back yoke construction, and
increased compression around the lower torso are designed to "contour your
curves" and "pull in your tum and bum."
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They are made in six sizes, ranging from XS to XXL, and there's a size
chart to help you determine which one will fit you best. (I followed the
size chart when I ordered mine, and they fit me perfectly.)
* Note: The description on the Amazon product page states that the fiber
content of these workout leggings is 80% polyester and 20% spandex. However,
the fiber content printed inside my light blue IUGA yoga pants is 87%
polyester and 13% spandex. Sometimes, a product's fiber content may vary
slightly different from one color to another, which is one possible
explanation for the discrepancy, but your guess is as good as mine.
Extremely Comfortable
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The smooth, soft, supple polyester and spandex fabric also wicks
moisture away from the body to keep you dry and comfortable while
working out.
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These yoga pants provide less compression around the the legs than
around the lower torso, so they don't bind or cut into your legs, but
also enough to remain conformed to your legs and prevent the fabric from
bunching or sagging as you move, bend, and stretch.
Waistband Pocket
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The built-in pocket is completely hidden, and remains undetectable
unless or until you decide to place something inside it.
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Although I haven't had to use it very often, I'd guess it could easily
hold a couple of keys, a lip balm, and a few tissues, for
example.
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According to the product description, "You will be able to stash your
phones and keys safely." Keys? Probably. But unless your phone is
quite small, I wouldn't consider the waistband pocket a secure place
to stash it.
- Access is easy and convenient.
Excellent Quality
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I purchased my IUGA High Waisted Leggings three months ago, and I
machine wash and then hang them over a clothes drying rack to dry. After
having laundered them quite a few times so far, there appears to have
been no fading, pilling, or changes in the fit or performance of these
yoga pants.
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At the time this post was published, they had more than 5,400 5-star
ratings from Amazon customers.
A Choice of Colors and Lengths
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Currently, these yoga pants come in black, dark coffee (dark brown),
dark violet, dark blue, gray, light blue, pale red violet, carnation
purple (lilac), maroon, and tranquil green.
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Note: The ones I own are the "light blue" shade. In real life, the
color is a bit less aqua than it appears in the Amazon product page
photos.
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Most of the colors (but not all) are offered in both regular and capri
lengths.
Very Affordable
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These IUGA workout leggings retail for $24.95 and, at the time of
publishing, were priced at $19.95 on Amazon with Prime free one-day
shipping and free returns for Amazon Prime members.
Super Comfortable and Flattering Yoga Pants for Women review
by Margaret Schindel
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