When we see people wearing yoga pants, we often assume that they are meant to be very tight and uncomfortable. However, that isn’t the case. Yoga pants may look tight, but that is only because they should be form-fitting.
If you buy the right pair, they shouldn’t be thin, see-through, or painful to wear. They also won’t be too loose that you end up tripping on them or getting caught up in the fabric as you switch positions.
It can be hard to tell what size and fit is the best for your yoga pants, but taking the time to do so can give you exercise materials that last a long time and are comfortable to wear.
How Can You Tell if it’s Too Tight?
There are some simple ways to tell if your yoga pants are too tight. For example, if they start to roll down while you are exercising, that is usually a sign that they are stretching too much and can’t keep up with the movements.
If this happens a lot during your workouts, look at going up a size. There should also be no marks when you take off the pants from where they dug into the skin.
Before you start your workout or head to the gym, also do a squat test. Can you see skin through the yoga pants when you squat? Or can you see your underwear? That usually means that you need to get a different style, cut, or size of yoga pants.
Acne is another big sign. If you were getting acne on your rear when there wasn’t any before, it means that it isn’t getting enough air, which usually points to your underwear or pants being too tight.
What Makes it the Right Size?
When you put on yoga pants that are the right size, you should be able to tell right away. Then, there won’t be any need to adjust the waistband of the pants, and it should almost feel like you are wearing nothing.
If the waistband or the legs feel constricting, especially if you squat, then that is a sign that your yoga pants don’t fit as well as they should.
Of course, there will be some exceptions. There are a lot of yoga pants out there, especially for women, and some are meant to be a little tighter and more constricting than others.
The important thing is that you are comfortable, and you don’t have to stop to adjust all of the time.
Which Materials fit the Best?
There are a lot of different kinds of yoga pant materials as well, some better than others. However, some of the commonly recognized best ones are:
- Polyester is often the most popular because they are very lightweight and comfortable and wick away sweat. But it isn’t very breathable, and often spandex is added to the material to increase stretchiness.
- Nylon – It stretches a lot like spandex but is comfortable and dries quickly. But it is very thin and can’t usually be worn alone.
- Spandex – Also known as elastane, it is very stretchy while still going back to its original form easily, so there is no permanent stretching. However, it is very weak and has never been used to make yoga pants solely.
- Rayon – Rayon is soft, breathable, and lightweight. It is often considered affordable silk. However, it isn’t very durable, especially when it gets wet. It is good for yoga loungewear.
- Bamboo – this one is quickly gaining in popularity. It is a natural fabric, breathable, lightweight, and comfortable. It is also odor-resistant, which is ideal for exercising.
- Merino Wool – This is best for colder areas, as it is light and soft but warm. It also wicks away moisture and manages to be breathable. This is a good option for outdoor activities like running.
Where Should You Shop for the Best Tights?
Looking online for yoga tights is often the best option. This allows you to look at reviews and make sure you aren’t getting a pair of leggings or tights that are a dud. But, unfortunately, unless you know the brand, it also makes it harder to get the correct size.
If there are small but local yoga companies in your area, try checking with them first. They may help you figure out not only your size and a good brand but also help you decide which materials feel best and what cuts and shapes work well for you.
Otherwise, try on several pairs at a local store until you find the size, shape, and cut you like, and order online from better brands like Teeki, Zella, Altitude Tight, Sweaty Betty, Alo Yoga, and more.
Should Yoga Tights Feel a Bit Loose?
Yoga pants shouldn’t necessarily feel loose, either. Unless you specifically get loose-fitting ones as your cut of choice, they should be form-fitting. Loose, flowy yoga pants are great for loungewear but not for exercise.
Instead, if you are using yoga pants for yoga, the gym, or running, you want pants that fit your form. Too tight, and you will have to constantly unroll them or be in pain. Too loose, and you will often pull them back up or get caught on them as you move around.
This is why it is important to find the yoga pants and tights that feel best for you. They should feel like a comfortable second skin.
Final Thoughts on How Tight Should Yoga Pants Be
Yoga pants are great pants for any kind of exercise. They are made to be durable for any exercise, and they can mold your body to prevent you from getting stuck or caught on loose fabric as you switch positions or move around.
However, you only get the most benefit from them when you are getting the right size. Too loose or too tight, you will likely use other pants or be uncomfortable for most of the exercise.
The only time that loose-fitting yoga pants are good is when you are using them for loungewear. Usually, those still fit at the waist well to hold them up but are loose and flowy for style and movement.