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We Tried ‘Em: Physiclo Pro Resistance Tights

Before we even get into this review, let’s get one thing straight: these pants are insane.

In a good way.

I think.

I was recently sent a a pair of Physiclo Pro Resistance Pants ($95 to $125) to review — and I was so excited about it after hearing from my friend Gretchen that they were — yes, here comes that word again — insane but awesome. Known as “the world’s first compression pants with built-in resistance band technology, designed to challenge your body and help you achieve better fitness results,” these pants actually have built-in elastic layers that act like resistance bands around your legs.

Yes, you read that right: Resistance bands around your legs.

You can wear them for really any workout — running, bootcamp, CrossFit, cycling, barre, whatever. The leggings generate up to 10 pounds of extra resistance in any direction — including hip flexion, extension, and abduction. And just like with resistance bands, the bigger your movement, the more resistance you’ll feel. And, let me tell you from experience, they make everything much, much harder.

These people are smiling way too much to be truly training in them. Either that or they have superhero legs.

Because when I’ve worn them — mainly for running and some TRX training — it basically feels like I’m moving slowly in water, no matter how hard I try to move more quickly. It’s a strange sensation, but one that clearly lets you know that all that resistance is working.

And the best part of them? TAKING THEM OFF. Because after having that much resistance on your legs, putting on a pair of normal leggings or jeans with zero resistance makes you feel like you’re seriously flying. Which, is basically the whole point. Train harder, get stronger — and then on race day or at performance time? Fly off, little FBG, fly off.

The whole concept is so interesting and pretty cool. And overall, I dig it. Although there are some pros and cons to it that I think are well worth mentioning.

Physiclo Pro Resistance Tights: Pros

  • They’re an easy way to increase the intensity of your usual workouts without extra equipment
  • Because they make workouts harder, you can actually cut down the time of some of your workouts
  • You have increased muscle activation when wearing them — and may just improve your race times (more on that science here)
  • You feel like a secret badass when wearing them
  • They have a cool looking design
  • They’re machine washable
  • You can wear them during any type of workout — or even on leisure walks
  • They make working out (or just walking around) in every other pair of tights you own feel like you’re flying

Physiclo Pro Resistance Tights: Cons

  • These are HARD to get on … like, lay-on-the-bed-and-wiggle-around-like-an-80s-jeans-commercial hard
  • The resistance paneling comes around your thighs in a way that, at least on me, created a bit of an awkward bulge in the crotch area
  • That paneling also created a little chafing around my thighs and lady bits whenever I ran for 30+ minutes
  • Because of the resistance, I found that the tights actually changed my running form a bit — not by a huge amount, but that could result in issues/injury later depending on the person and the degree of change
  • There’s a bit of a learning curve with these — in fact, my friend damn near catapulted herself off a rower the first time she wore them because of the extra spring given off by the resistance bands
  • While the lower area of the tights kept me cool and felt good on, the resistance band areas up top were definitely warmer and didn’t breathe as well (see chafing above, too)
  • These tights are definitely not considered athleisure — like, you’re not going to brunch after in these because they’re too uncomfortable
  • Last but not least, on the bright color options … the black threaded seam down the butt seems … less than aesthetically ideal (right?)

Physiclo Pro Resistance Tights: Overall Thoughts & Recommendations

So, yep, definitely quite a few pros and cons. For me, the pros and benefits outweigh most of the cons, BUT, the cons are enough for me to be really intentional about how and when I’m training in these. They are not my go-to tights. They’re basically like like lifting weights — and you have to treat them as such. I wouldn’t do a bunch of arm stuff two days in a row, so why would I do that to my legs in these and work out in them all the time? Instead, I’m using these one to two times a week for shorter runs and workouts (nothing too explosive in movement) to boost my intensity and increase strength. And then I’m taking them off immediately AND FLYING.

Anyone else tried these? How often do you wear them? PRed after training in them? I’m hoping they help me PR at this race! —Jenn

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!

Comments

3 Comments
  1. Michelle says:

    Wow, I have never even heard of these! Thanks for sharing, definitely new information!

  2. Hi
    You have written a good article, your designs look like latest and very attractive. I like fittings and colours very much.

    Thanks
    pradeep kumar

  3. Nice post and nice read very interesting and inspirational post thanks for share.

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