I Tried TikTok's "Leggings Theory" and My Butt Has Never Looked Better
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Is it your butt . . . or is it just your leggings? This very question crossed my mind years ago while working out with a close friend. Although no two bodies will ever be exactly alike, we shared a similar body type, diet, and had been following the exact same glute-focused regimen for the past few months. The key difference? Her gym outfits were always on a completely different level. I'm talking impossibly flattering matching sets and butt-lifting leggings — the kind that put my sad, pilling bottoms to shame mid-RDL.
This admiration is not to discredit all the hard work my friend put into her physique — I witnessed it firsthand. But did she influence me to eventually purchase several pairs of my own butt-lifting leggings? Absolutely. And in my opinion, it did make a world of difference.
As it turns out, I'm not alone in this experience. "If you're hitting the gym every day and you're like, 'Why does my butt not look like these Instagram models? I want to look like these Instagram models' — it's the clothes they're wearing," one creator said in a January TikTok with over 400K likes. Commenters were quick to chime in, crediting gym brands like DFYNE and Darc Sport for changing the way they perceive their glutes. "Yes, different clothes show different results," one commenter wrote. "I have built my glutes for sure but DFYNE Impact is like makeup," another said.
So does this viral "leggings theory" actually hold up in real life? To find out, I decided to put three pairs of my favorite butt-lifting gym leggings to the test. You know . . . for science. The following leggings were purchased at least a year ago (with my own money) and have all endured several real-life workouts. Based off of the comments in the original TikTok, I chose one set of control leggings and three categories of leggings from the gym brand Nvgtn. The categories include: dark scrunch leggings, light scrunch leggings, and contour leggings. Read on to see how much of a difference your leggings actually make, plus some of my biggest takeaways.
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The Baseline Leggings
I decided to use Amazon's black Sunzel leggings as a control or baseline in my testing . They feature a high V-cross waistline, and I like them so much, I bought three different pairs. This exact style is currently sold out, but these Sunzel Leggings ($30) are a close match. The soft feel and V-waist are highlights for me, but while there's some flattering seamwork on the back, I wouldn't consider these butt-lifting per se.
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Best Dark Scrunch Leggings
I was inspired to buy these Nvgtn Scrunch Seamless Leggings ($48) after seeing how great my friend looked in her own gym sets. I know the scrunch is a bit controversial, but if you can deal with the wedgie, I'm not really mad at it. When I first tried these on, I felt like I had been let it on some kind of gym-girl secret. Now that I can look at the results more objectively, I don't think these are quite as life-changing, but they definitely make my butt look a lot better than the control leggings.
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Best Light Scrunch Leggings
These Scrunch Seamless Leggings ($48) feature a similar design, but in a lighter color. There isn't an enormous difference between these leggings and the previous pair, but I still felt the need to include because I think the butt-lifting is more noticeable. Another important point: I feel slightly less comfortable wearing these out in public fitness settings. I might wear them to the gym if I know I'm doing more heavy lifting, but a part of me feels too exposed. Maybe that's a me problem?
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Best Contour Leggings
This is arguably the cutest gym outfit I own, and also the most complimented. Similar to the DFYNE Impact style recommended on TikTok, these Curve Seamless Leggings ($48) are made of stretchy material (nylon and spandex) that hugs your curves and accentuates all the best parts . . . minus the wedgie. The contour details are also super flattering, in my opinion.
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The Final Verdict
These leggings are all winners in their own way (no, really). While I don't think the control leggings are the most butt-lifting, I do find them the most flattering on my waist, and they don't roll down as much if I'm doing something like yoga or Pilates. The dark scrunch leggings hit that sweet spot of flattering on the glutes, but comfortable enough to wear in a public fitness setting. Still, I can't deny that the light scrunch leggings do wonders for my butt (should I ever work up the courage to wear them out again).
All things considered, it really does come down to your personal preference, and for me, the contour leggings are my favorite style. They're equal parts comfortable, butt-lifting, and flattering without leaving me in a perpetual wedgie. No matter what you prefer, it's safe to say that leggings can make a big difference in your gym outfit — so choose wisely.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.