There are a few things to consider when trying to decide on your next workout outfit. The weather, your actual workout, comfort, you need to take these and more into account.

This guide is going to talk through all these considerations and hopefully help make that choice between gym shorts and leggings that little bit easier.

• Weather

Weather and temperature can have a big influence on choosing between the two styles of gym bottoms. If you know it's going to be hot, sweaty and potentially uncomfortable, you may not want to feel the fabric against your skin like you do with leggings. Gym leggings are made using quick drying and sweat wicking materials, but that might not be enough at times. The benefit of wearing shorts means you can actually feel the air directly on your skin. If you are exercising outdoors in the summer, then don't forget to apply your SPF!

On the other hand, you may be looking for that extra coverage due to the weather. There is no worse feeling than getting to the gym and being cold and struggling to warm up. The extra coverage you get with leggings also means that the warmth those leggings can provide help to improve your circulation and assist the muscles in warming up correctly. Gym leggings also add another layer of protection over your legs, which means if you are working out outside, you have a barrier against bug bites, wind chill and being scratched by plants/trees.

• Breathability

Both of our shorts and leggings have been created using our Q-Wic fabric technology. This style of fabric offers sweat wicking and quick drying properties, the fabric is able to wick away sweat and moisture away from the skin to the outer surface of the material which in turn helps to keep you dry and feeling comfortable during the workout. If you find yourself getting annoyed or overwhelmed with the feeling of having your legs covered, then shorts would be the way to go but from a breathability and sweat management point of view, both options are as good as each other.

• Flexibility

Shorts (obviously) allow more flexibility and freedom during exercise. You're able to have a larger range of motion, and get all of the other benefits that come with wearing shorts. Leggings however offer lower levels of flexibility. Some leggings have been created to have more of a compression fit to help with muscle recovery and blood flow. But most leggings are made stretchy, lightweight, squat proof fabric that will allow you to have a high level of freedom and flexibility.