Should Christian Women Wear Leggings to the Gym? A Biblical Perspective on Modesty in Fitness

In today’s fitness culture, gym attire is often centered around form-fitting leggings, crop tops, and matching sets. But for Christian women, the conversation around modesty in fitness goes deeper than just what’s trending. Does what we wear to work out actually matter? Is modesty just a personal conviction, or does it impact our spiritual walk and witness to others?

To unpack these questions, I sat down with Hannah Roy, a Christian health and fitness coach who has been vocal about modesty in fitness. Her message has sparked discussions (and sometimes controversy) on social media, but more than anything, it has encouraged women to seek biblical wisdom when choosing workout attire.

If you’ve ever wrestled with what to wear to the gym, if leggings are appropriate, or how to honor God in your fitness journey, this conversation is for you.

Hannah’s Journey: From Fitness for Vanity to Fitness for Christ

Shaela asks: "Hannah, how did your fitness journey shape your perspective on modesty?"

Hannah: "When I first started working out, modesty wasn’t even a thought in my mind. I grew up with strict modesty rules in my household, which, honestly, made me want to push the boundaries even more. But as I grew deeper in my faith, God started convicting me about my motivation in fitness—was I doing it for vanity or for Him?"

She shares that in her early fitness days, she focused heavily on aesthetics—how toned she looked, how strong she appeared. But a pivotal moment changed her approach:

"I read 1 Corinthians 10:31—‘Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God’—and it hit me. My fitness journey wasn’t glorifying God. It was all about me."

That realization led her to reevaluate everything—not just her workouts, but also what she was wearing and why.

"I had to ask myself, ‘Am I dressing to showcase my body, or am I dressing to honor God?’ That mindset shift changed everything."

Defining Modesty: What Does It Mean for Christian Women?

Shaela asks: "Modesty seems to mean different things to different people. How do you define it?"

Hannah: "A common response I get when I talk about modesty is, ‘It’s a heart issue.’ And while I agree, we have to remember that Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, ‘The heart is deceitful above all things.’ We can’t rely solely on what feels right—we need to seek God’s word on the matter."

For Hannah, modesty isn’t about a set of legalistic rules—it’s about being set apart from the world (Romans 12:2).

"If my workout attire looks exactly like the world’s, I have to ask myself—am I truly reflecting Christ? Would I wear this in front of my pastor? Would I wear this in a worship setting? If the answer is no, then why am I okay wearing it in other areas of my life?"

She also challenges women to consider their influence:

"Whether we realize it or not, the way we dress sends a message. I want my gym attire to point to Christ, not to my body."

The Challenges of Dressing Modestly in Fitness

Shaela asks: "Let’s be real—finding modest, functional workout wear is HARD. How do you navigate that?"

Hannah: "It is so hard! It takes extra effort to shop for longer shorts, looser shirts, or leggings that aren’t sheer. But I remind myself—following Christ often requires going against culture. Modesty takes work, but it’s worth it."

Some of the ways she maintains modesty in fitness include:

• Avoiding form-fitting leggings without a longer top
• Choosing looser, higher-cut tank tops over crop tops
• Opting for longer shorts instead of super short, tight styles

"It’s not about legalism—it’s about honoring God with my body and my choices."

Shaela adds: "I love that. It’s not about shaming women but encouraging them to seek God’s perspective on modesty. Because ultimately, if we care about honoring Him, we’ll want to reflect that in every area of our lives."

Addressing the ‘Not My Problem’ Mindset

One of the most common objections to modesty is: “It’s not my responsibility if men struggle with lust.”

Shaela asks: "How do you respond to that?"

Hannah: "I hear that all the time, and it makes me sad. While it’s true that men are responsible for their own thoughts, Romans 14:13 reminds us not to put a stumbling block in another’s path. We are called to help our brothers in Christ, not make their walk harder."

She emphasizes that modesty isn’t just about others—it’s about personal obedience:

"At the end of the day, my goal isn’t to see how close I can get to the line without crossing it. My goal is to be set apart, to live in a way that glorifies God in everything—including my clothing choices."

Practical Tips for Modest Gym Wear

For women who want to dress modestly but don’t know where to start, Hannah offers three practical tips:

1️⃣ Ask God for wisdom – Pray over your wardrobe and ask if your choices honor Him.
2️⃣ Do the "Would I wear this in front of my pastor?" test – If the answer is no, reconsider.
3️⃣ Find brands that offer modest options – Look for longer-length shorts, looser tops, and high-quality leggings that aren’t sheer.

Final Thoughts: Fitness as Worship, Not Vanity

Shaela asks: "If there’s one message you want women to take away from this, what would it be?"

Hannah: "That fitness is an opportunity for worship, not vanity. It’s not about achieving the perfect body—it’s about stewarding the body God gave us with humility and gratitude. And part of that stewardship includes how we present ourselves to the world."

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Final Encouragement

If you’ve been struggling with modesty in fitness, remember—this isn’t about shame. It’s about freedom in Christ. True modesty isn’t restrictive—it’s liberating. When we shift our perspective and seek God’s wisdom, we experience joy, confidence, and peace in how we move, dress, and live.

Let’s embrace a fitness journey that reflects not just physical strength, but spiritual depth.