How to Pick Women's Leggings for Running vs F45 Training
By Reebok® Official Site | Life is Not a Spectator Sport | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: How-to Guides
Choose running leggings for airflow, visibility, and phone storage; choose high-rise training leggings for a waistband that stays put through burpees and squats. Here's how to decide.
Quick answer
Choose running leggings when airflow, low-light visibility, and phone storage matter most; choose high-rise training leggings when you need a waistband that stays put through burpees and squats.
Why one pair rarely covers both workouts
Running and F45 ask different things of fabric. A run is repetitive and forward-moving, so breathability and visibility in low light matter more than compression. F45 sessions mix floor work, jumping, and lifting, so a secure waistband and fabric that holds you in matter more than mesh panels.
That doesn't mean you need two pairs, but it does mean the trade-off is real. A high-rise training legging may feel warmer on a long run; a lightweight running tight may need more adjusting during floor work. Decide which workout you do more often, then buy for that one first.
When to bend the rules
If you run to the gym and then train, pick the training legging and accept a little extra warmth. If your F45 sessions are mostly bodyweight and you sweat heavily, the mesh panels on running leggings can be the more comfortable choice, provided the waistband stays put.
If you're between sizes, don't size down for compression. A waistband that digs in will distract you on the floor, and a loose one will slide during burpees. Use the size chart and the waistband behavior as your guide, not the number on the tag.
Your step-by-step leggings selection process
- Name your primary workout: Write down whether you run, do F45, or split time evenly. Buy for the workout you do most, and treat the other as a secondary need. If you split evenly, start with the training legging, then add a running pair.
- Check the waistband against your movement: For F45, look for a high-rise elastic waistband that sits above the hip and stays flat when you bend. For running, a waistband that doesn't roll or gap at the back is enough. Mistake to avoid: choosing a low-rise for floor work, which exposes your back and needs constant adjusting.
- Match fabric to sweat level: High-intensity training calls for smooth stretch fabric that holds you in. Running in warm weather calls for mesh panels or lighter fabric that moves air. Mistake to avoid: assuming thicker fabric is always better; it can feel clammy on a run.
- Decide what you need to carry: A side pocket keeps a phone close on a run. A small stash pocket is enough for keys or a card during training. If you run with a phone, prioritize the side pocket. Mistake to avoid: buying a pocketless pair for running and then improvising with an armband.
- Check visibility for low-light runs: If you run at dawn or dusk, look for reflective logos or contrast panelling. For indoor F45 sessions, visibility is not a deciding factor. Mistake to avoid: assuming dark leggings are visible; reflective details are what actually show up.
- Try the squat-and-run test before you commit: Squat, lunge, and jog in place in front of a mirror. The waistband should stay put, the fabric should not go sheer, and nothing should dig in. If you're between sizes, size up rather than down for training leggings.
Product facts that matter
- Women's Reebok x F45 Training Coach Lux Leggings: High-rise elastic waistband and smooth stretch fabric designed for sweaty, high-intensity sessions. The high rise hugs your core and holds you in through squats and burpees, so you're not tugging at the waist mid-set.

Women's Reebok x F45 Training Coach Lux Leggings - Women's Running Leggings: Mesh panels, a side pocket, and reflective logos for low-light runs. Airflow and visibility matter more on the road, and the side pocket keeps your phone close without a belt.

Women's Running Leggings

