Scrunch leggings are all over Instagram, and for good reason: chosen well, they lift your glutes and define your waist. Chosen badly, they turn see-through on the first squat or slip down with every move. Here's how to find the right pair.
What are scrunch leggings?
The scrunch is a ruched seam placed in the middle of the back, at glute level. By gathering the fabric there, it adds volume and highlights your natural curve: that's the push-up effect. Paired with a high waist that holds in your tummy, it shapes your whole silhouette.
The scrunch doesn't change your body: it enhances what's already there. That's why it's so popular, at the gym and beyond.
Scrunch or no scrunch: which one?
- You want a visible sculpting effect: go for scrunch leggings, like the Galbea scrunch leggings. The pick for leg and glute days.
- You want a more understated look, to wear around town with a long hoodie too: high-waisted leggings without scrunch, like the Iconic leggings, focus on tummy control.
- You want both, with attitude: the Féline leopard leggings combine a scrunch effect with a print, in beige or black.
4 things to check before you buy
1. Opacity
This is the test that counts. Good sports leggings stay opaque when you squat. Do the squat test in front of a mirror, in daylight, as soon as they arrive. At GOW, every style is tested in motion to stay opaque during squats.
2. The high waist
A high, wide waistband holds in your tummy and stops your leggings sliding down while you train. It should stay put without rolling when you bend over.
3. Where the scrunch sits
The ruching should sit in the middle of your glutes, neither too high nor too low. Too big, and the leggings slip and the effect disappears. Too small, and they squeeze and get uncomfortable.
4. Comfort in motion
The fabric should move with you without getting in the way, whether you're squatting, doing cardio or wearing them all day. A soft, stretchy material makes all the difference.
Which size should I choose?
Scrunch leggings should fit snugly: that's what creates the sculpting effect. If you're between two sizes, check the size our model is wearing, shown on every product page. Our leggings fit true to size. If in doubt, email us at contact@goddessofworkout.com: we'll advise you before you order.
How to style your scrunch leggings
- At the gym: with a matching sports bra for a coordinated set, like the Féline sports bra or the Galbea Signature sports bra.
- Before and after your session: with an oversized hoodie or the teddy jacket from the Iconic range to stay warm.
- Every day: with a cropped T-shirt and white sneakers, or a long hoodie for a more covered look.
How to care for them
Wash at 30 °C maximum with similar colours, and let them air dry. Avoid the tumble dryer: heat damages the elastic fibres and the ruching loses its hold.
In short
For a sculpting effect, choose high-waisted scrunch leggings that stay opaque when you squat and fit snugly. Discover all our leggings: Galbea for scrunch, Iconic for tummy control, Féline for leopard.