If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of Fanka activewear. I’ve reviewed their leggings previously, and they’ve become some of my favourite workout leggings, particularly when it comes to having that extra bit of support around my tummy, hips, knees and lower back. So I’m back with another Fanka leggings review for 2026.
As a woman in my 40s who spends a lot of time in the gym, I’m always looking for activewear that not only looks good but actually performs. And let’s face it, as we get into midlife, many of us are dealing with a few more aches and pains than we used to!
For me, it’s particularly my lower back and those niggly knees, which is one of the reasons I was originally so interested in Fanka and their built-in resistance band technology.
So when Fanka offered to send me some of their latest designs to try, I was very excited to see what had changed.
This time around, I’m testing their updated Body Sculpt and PowerBand leggings, including some gorgeous new colours and designs, along with a couple of their newer tops and bras.
I’m also doing something a little different with this review. Since my original Fanka haul, I’ve lost some weight, so I wanted to experiment with different sizes to see just how much difference sizing makes to the level of compression and support.
And of course, I wasn’t just going to try everything on and tell you how it looked. I also put my favourite pair through a pretty intense HYROX-style workout to see whether they really could live up to their claims.
Spoiler alert: I think I’ve found my new favourite leggings!
Fanka Exclusive Discount Code: EMMA15
Disclaimer: Fanka kindly gifted me the products featured in this review. All opinions are entirely my own and based on my personal experience. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you.
Why I Love Fanka Leggings for Women Over 40
One of the things that originally attracted me to Fanka was their approach to functional activewear.
Their leggings aren’t just designed to look flattering. They incorporate what Fanka calls PowerBand technology, which is essentially built-in resistance-style bands positioned around different areas of the body.
Depending on the design, these bands run around the knees, hips, glutes, tummy and lower back.
As someone who does a lot of strength training, I really like that extra feeling of support, particularly when I’m doing heavier lifts or more intense workouts.
I’ve always found that their PowerBand leggings hug my lower back really nicely, and I personally feel more supported when I’m squatting, lunging and lifting.
Of course, wearing compression leggings isn’t going to replace strength training or magically fix any aches and pains, but I do think that extra support can make a difference to how comfortable and confident you feel when exercising.
Another big factor for me is the tummy support.
Like many women who’ve had children, I carry a little more around my midsection, and finding leggings that stay put rather than constantly rolling down has always been a challenge.
So that’s something I was particularly interested in testing with these updated designs.
Fanka Sheer Sculpt Wireless Bra Review
The first piece I tried was the Fanka Sheer Sculpt Wireless Bra.
Now, my previous Fanka sports bra is genuinely one of my favourites, so I was interested to see how this one compared.
This is a very different style of bra, though. It’s much more of an everyday shapewear bra rather than something I’d necessarily wear for a workout.
It’s made from a beautifully soft, sheer mesh material with a structured 3D-printed support design. Although it has that structure, there’s still plenty of stretch, and the whole thing feels incredibly lightweight.
I have to admit, this one was a little tricky to show properly on camera because it really is very sheer!
But once I tried it on, I was seriously impressed.
It almost feels as though you’re not wearing a bra at all, yet somehow you still have that lovely feeling of support.
There’s no digging in, no uncomfortable wires and nothing that feels restrictive.
I’m currently around a 34B and chose a medium, which fitted me perfectly.
For me, this is exactly the sort of bra I could see myself reaching for on a daily basis. Something comfortable enough to wear all day, particularly when I don’t want the compression of a sports bra.
It’s beautifully made, incredibly soft and feels really flattering.
My verdict: Absolutely stunning and a definite winner for everyday comfort.
Fanka Built-In Bra Tank Top Review – My New Favourite Workout Top?
Next up was probably the item I was most excited about trying.
If you’ve watched any of my previous activewear reviews, you’ll know that I’m not particularly keen on tight, clingy workout tops.
I much prefer something a little looser around my tummy, especially when I’m teaching classes or moving around all day.
So when I saw that Fanka had brought out a loose-fitting tank top with a built-in bra, I was immediately interested.
And I’m very pleased to say that this one didn’t disappoint!
The top has a lovely lightweight, moisture-wicking material, a high neckline and a slightly looser fit around the body.
But underneath, it has a proper built-in bra with removable cup pads.
I love this because sometimes I really don’t want to have to wear a separate sports bra underneath my workout tops, particularly if I’m doing lower-impact exercise or teaching classes.
The bra itself feels like medium support to me.
I’d happily wear it for strength training, HIIT-style sessions and general gym workouts, although I’m not sure I’d choose it for running.
What I particularly love is the length.
So many workout tops seem to finish at that awkward point halfway up your tummy, which isn’t particularly flattering if you carry a little more weight around your middle.
This one finishes at a really nice length, giving me the coverage I want without feeling oversized or baggy.
It also has lovely thicker straps, a comfortable band underneath the bust and some really nice subtle detailing.
It’s the sort of top I could put on to teach my morning classes, wear throughout the day while running errands and still feel completely comfortable in the evening.
In fact, I wore it for a full day and loved it.
I also discovered that I quite like tucking it in slightly at the back, which gives it a little more shape without making it clingy.
My verdict: This is pretty much everything I want in a workout top. Comfortable, flattering, practical and supportive without being restrictive. An absolute yes from me!
Fanka Body Sculpt 2.0 Reversible Leggings Review – Leopard Print
Now onto the leggings, and these were definitely one of the highlights of this haul.
I’ve already owned a couple of pairs of Fanka Body Sculpt leggings, so I knew I liked the original design.
However, Fanka has made some updates to the newer 2.0 version, and I was really interested to see whether they made a noticeable difference.
First of all, can we just appreciate the leopard print?
If you know me, you’ll know I absolutely love leopard print, so these were always going to be right up my street!
These are the Body Sculpt Side Pocket Reversible Leggings, meaning you can wear them with the leopard print showing or turn them inside out to reveal the more traditional Fanka contouring design.
I love having that option, although personally, I’ll be wearing the leopard print side out, loud and proud!
The Fit and Compression
For this pair, I chose a size 8, which Fanka labels as a large.
This was a size down from some of my previous Fanka leggings, and I was really interested to see how they fitted now that I’ve lost weight.
What surprised me was just how comfortable they felt.
They still had that lovely compressive feeling, particularly around the tummy and hips, but I didn’t feel restricted at all.
Some compression leggings can feel as though they’re squeezing you so tightly that you can barely move.
These aren’t like that.
There’s plenty of stretch, and I felt as though I could comfortably wear them all day long.
I probably could have gone another size down if I’d wanted a really firm level of compression, but for everyday comfort, this size felt fantastic.
The Updated Waistband and Contouring
One of the biggest improvements I’ve noticed with the newer Body Sculpt design is the waistband.
It has a lovely wide panel that runs around the entire midsection, giving you that pulled-in, supported feeling without digging in.
For someone like me who carries a little extra around the tummy, this is something I really appreciate.
The contouring also extends around the lower back, glutes and knees.
On the reverse side, you can clearly see how the bands are positioned to provide that extra support.
There’s contouring around the knees that extends towards the calves, additional shaping around the glutes and more structure around the tummy.
The leggings also have pockets, which is always a bonus, and the updated design is intended to be squat-proof.
But the real test for me was going to be whether they stayed up.
Do Fanka Leggings Roll Down?
This is probably my biggest frustration with workout leggings.
Because of my body shape, I find that so many leggings roll down around my tummy, particularly when I’m bending, squatting or doing burpees.
It drives me absolutely mad!
So naturally, the first thing I did was put these through my usual squat and bend test.
And I genuinely couldn’t believe it.
They didn’t move.
Not even a little bit.
Now, that was impressive enough, but I wanted to see whether they would still perform during an actual workout.
Putting the Fanka Body Sculpt Leggings Through a HYROX Workout
I decided to wear the leopard print leggings for a pretty intense HIIT-style HYROX training session.
With my HYROX competition coming up, my workouts have included plenty of movements that really put leggings to the test.
We’re talking burpees, squats and lots of getting up and down off the floor.
Exactly the sort of movements that usually have me constantly pulling my leggings back up!
And I am very happy to report that these leggings were absolutely incredible.
Throughout the entire workout, they stayed exactly where they were supposed to.
Even during the burpees, which are usually the worst for causing that dreaded waistband roll, they didn’t budge.
They felt supportive, comfortable and completely unrestricted throughout the session.
I wasn’t constantly adjusting them or thinking about what I was wearing. I could just get on with my workout.
For me, that is a massive win.
My verdict: These are quite possibly my new favourite workout leggings. I absolutely love the leopard print, the updated fit and, most importantly, the fact that they genuinely stayed up during an intense workout.
Fanka PowerBand Faux Denim Leggings Review
Next up were the PowerBand Resistance Faux Denim Leggings in Vintage Indigo.
These have a completely different look from the Body Sculpt leggings, with a denim-style finish that I thought was really interesting.
They also have a drawstring waistband and a more visible pocket design.
For this pair, I decided to go down another size because I really wanted to compare the different levels of compression across the range.
And I could immediately feel the difference.
These were noticeably tighter and more compressive around my tummy, hips and legs.
But what I liked was that they still had plenty of movement.
Despite the firmer compression, I didn’t feel restricted when squatting or bending.
The material itself is beautifully soft, and the drawstring waistband gives you that extra bit of security.
Once again, these passed my initial roll-down test with flying colours.
How Does the PowerBand Design Compare?
The band placement on these leggings is slightly different from the traditional PowerBand designs I’ve previously worn.
Rather than having the more obvious crisscross design across the tummy, the resistance-style bands run more vertically down the midsection.
There’s also additional support around the glutes.
I actually turned the leggings inside out during the video to show how the banding works, although I’m not sure this particular style is intended to be worn reversibly!
What I like about Fanka’s PowerBand leggings is that feeling of extra support when I’m lifting weights.
I always feel as though I have that little bit of extra resistance and stability around my lower body.
That’s very much my personal experience rather than a claim that the leggings will actually make you stronger, but it’s a feeling I really enjoy during my workouts.
My verdict: A lovely soft legging with a firmer level of compression, a secure waistband and a really interesting denim-inspired design.
Fanka PowerBand Leggings in Smoky Plum – How Has the Design Changed?
I also tried the updated PowerBand leggings in the gorgeous Smoky Plum colour.
These are probably one of my favourite Fanka styles because of the crisscross banding that runs across the tummy.
I’ve always loved how this design hugs my midsection and lower back, particularly when I’m doing heavier strength training.
One thing I noticed straight away with the newer version is how much softer the fabric feels.
Some of my original Fanka leggings had more of that traditional shiny Lycra-style finish.
These newer ones have a much smoother, softer, almost buttery feel, with less shine.
They’re absolutely beautiful to wear.
For this pair, I chose the larger size, a Fanka XL or size 10, because I wanted to demonstrate how the compression changes depending on which size you choose.
I’m currently around a UK 10–12, and although these still fitted me nicely, there was definitely less compression than in the smaller sizes.
They still felt supportive, particularly around the tummy and lower back, but it was a much gentler level of compression.
And actually, I can see why some women might prefer that.
Not everyone wants their leggings to feel super tight, and if you’re looking for something you can comfortably wear throughout the day, a slightly larger size might be a better option.
Personally, I do prefer that firmer compressive feeling when I’m doing more intense workouts.
My verdict: Beautifully soft, comfortable leggings with lovely shaping around the tummy, glutes and knees. Just be aware that sizing will make a big difference to the level of compression.
Fanka Body Sculpt 7/8 Leggings in Wild Cherry
Finally, I tried another pair of Body Sculpt leggings, this time in the gorgeous Wild Cherry colour.
These have the same updated Body Sculpt design as the leopard print leggings, with contouring around the knees, glutes and midsection.
They’re also reversible, so you can choose whether to have the contouring lines on show or wear the smoother side out.
I absolutely love this colour.
However, I deliberately chose the larger size again so I could compare the fit.
And once again, there was a noticeable difference.
They were still incredibly comfortable, and I could feel the support, but they definitely didn’t have the same level of compression as the smaller leopard print pair.
This really reinforced just how important sizing is when buying Fanka leggings.
If you want something that feels softer and less compressive, you may prefer to size up.
But if you’re buying them specifically because you want that firmer support around your tummy, hips, lower back and knees, then I’d look at choosing a size closer to your normal measurements.
My verdict: A gorgeous colour and a beautifully comfortable legging, particularly if you prefer lighter compression.
[SHOP FANKA BODY SCULPT WILD CHERRY LEGGINGS]
Fanka Leggings Sizing Guide – Should You Size Up or Down?
This was one of the biggest things I wanted to explore in this review because Fanka leggings do fit a little differently from your average pair of gym leggings.
With my original Fanka purchases, I’d followed the advice to size up because of the compression.
However, having lost weight since then, some of those original leggings are now a little too big for me.
So this time I tried several different sizes.
And what I found was that the level of compression really does change quite significantly depending on the size you choose.
If you prefer a more relaxed, comfortable fit that you can wear all day, sizing up may work really well for you.
You’ll still get some of that supportive feeling, but it won’t be quite as firm.
If, like me, you enjoy that tighter, more compressive feeling during strength training and high-intensity workouts, then choosing a size closer to your usual measurements may give you the fit you’re looking for.
For reference, I’m currently around a UK size 10–12, and the smaller sizes I tested gave me noticeably more compression than the XL.
However, I would always recommend checking Fanka’s individual size charts and your measurements rather than simply sizing down.
You want your leggings to feel supportive, not uncomfortable or restrictive.
Are Fanka Leggings Worth the Money?
This is always the big question, particularly when you’re investing in more premium activewear.
For me, there are a few things that make Fanka stand out.
Firstly, I love the functional design.
The built-in PowerBand technology gives a very different feel from traditional leggings, particularly around the tummy, lower back and knees.
Secondly, the quality of the newer materials really impressed me.
The updated designs feel softer, smoother and more comfortable than some of the original versions I’ve tried.
And finally, there’s the fit.
I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the new Body Sculpt leggings during my HYROX workout.
For someone who has spent years constantly pulling leggings up during training, finding a pair that genuinely stays put feels like a bit of a game changer.
Of course, everyone’s body shape is different, and what works for me might not work exactly the same for you.
But based on my experience, I do think Fanka is a brand worth considering, particularly for women in midlife who are looking for supportive, comfortable and functional activewear.
I also think it’s worth being realistic about what compression clothing can do.
While I personally love the supportive feeling of the resistance-style bands, leggings aren’t going to replace proper strength training, mobility work or rehabilitation if you’re dealing with joint or back problems.
For me, they’re an additional layer of comfort and support rather than a solution in themselves.
My Favourite Pieces From This Fanka Haul
If I had to choose just two pieces from everything I’ve tried, it would definitely be the built-in bra tank top and the leopard print Body Sculpt 2.0 leggings.
The tank top is pretty much my ideal training top.
I love the loose fit, the built-in bra, the extra coverage around my tummy and the fact that I can comfortably wear it all day.
And the leopard print leggings are an absolute winner.
They look gorgeous, they feel incredible and they stayed put through one of the most demanding workouts I could have put them through.
I really do feel that Fanka has listened to feedback and made some great improvements to its newer designs.
The softer fabrics, updated contouring and improved waistbands have made a noticeable difference for me.
Final Thoughts on My Latest Fanka Review
Overall, I’ve been really impressed with this latest Fanka haul.
I’ve always liked the brand, but I genuinely think some of these newer designs are a step up from the originals.
As a health and fitness coach working with women over 40, I know how important it is to find activewear that makes you feel comfortable and confident when you’re exercising.
We don’t all have the same body shape, and we don’t all want super-tight, revealing gym clothes.
Sometimes we just want something that supports us, feels good and stays exactly where it’s supposed to!
And for me, that’s where Fanka has really delivered with these latest pieces.
If you’ve been considering trying Fanka leggings, hopefully my experience with the different designs and sizes has helped you decide which ones might be right for you.
And don’t forget, Fanka has kindly provided an exclusive discount for my audience.
My Fanka Discount Code: EMMA15
Have you tried Fanka leggings before? I’d love to know what you think of them, particularly if you’ve tried the newer Body Sculpt designs. Let me know in the comments!
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