What Shorts Should I Workout In?: Your Essential Guide to Athletic Wear For Comfort and Mobility

Many people prefer to wear shorts whenever they’re working out because of the free range of motion that comes with them!

Main image courtesy of Women’s Running Magazine.

 

Exercising is a big part of everyday life for many people and it’s also an essential way to stay fit and healthy. No matter if you’re a runner, play sports, swim, go hiking, or do yoga, there are many ways to get up and move your body around to burn calories and work towards a better you.

There are endless amounts of athletic brands creating new and improved shorts for both men and women to wear, but it’s important to know what is the best to workout in. One pair of shorts could specifically be for one sport, while another type could be for running in, so it’s important to know the basics and what to purchase.

Check out these tips and tricks to find the best pair of shorts to workout in that provides comfort and allows you to get your fitness on!

Why Should You Wear Shorts While Working Out?

There is a big debate for leggings or shorts while working out, but here’s why shorts are a must!

Depending on the weather and what type of workout you’re doing, some choose to wear leggings and others workout shorts. There are many different types of athletic shorts that are great to wear, and there are many reasons as to why they’re a much better option, especially for women.

Built-in Breathability in Shorts

Wearing athletic shorts is a better option to workout in compared to leggings or sweatpants because of the built-in breathability they provide. There are tons of athletic shorts with built-in underwear, which is thinner and is moisture-wicking, helping to breathe better. It also helps you to feel cooler no matter the sport you’re playing, or even if you’re out on a long-distance run. 

Better For Certain Sports

Shorts are a popular type of athletic wear for a ton of reasons, and they may be better depending on the sport or exercise activity you’re doing. For example, biking, or spinning classes are among the most popular exercise activities to participate in, and baggy pants could get in the way. Baggy pants, like sweatpants could potentially get caught in the bike chains and risk you falling and hurting yourself. Wearing a pair of athletic shorts can prevent this from happening, along with providing comfort, breathability, and mobility

Essential For Hot Summer Months

Depending on if you workout inside or outside during the summertime, shorts may be necessary. Trying to run or even walk outside in leggings on a hot eighty-five degree day is not fun, which is why shorts are a much better option. Shorts, especially ones with built-in underwear, can provide a cool feeling when you’re exercising outdoors, making sure that you’re not overheated.

Overall Comfort

While leggings are one of the most popular garments to wear in the gym, many people can feel they are restricting. While they provide compression to reduce the risk of sore muscles from leg exercises and other workouts, shorts provide a breeze on their legs and the feeling of not being so confined in what they’re wearing. Shorts can be comfortable to wear for any exercise that provides mobility no matter if you’re running, doing yoga, or lifting weights. 

 

What Shorts Should I Workout In?

Your essential guide to what kind of shorts you should wear while doing specific exercises is finally answered!

It’s important to get an idea of the best type of shorts to wear for popular exercises and sports in order to get the best benefits from it. Image courtesy of POPSUGAR.

 

For certain types of physical activities and sports, there are certain kinds of athletic shorts that you should be wearing. From shorts that provide the correct fabric and durability needed for weightlifting, or something lightweight and airy for runners, there is something  for every athlete out there.

Check out some of the best types of shorts to wear based on a few popular forms of exercise to narrow down your choices!

Running

Running shorts that allow freedom of movement and are lightweight are perfect no matter if you’re training or running a marathon. Image courtesy of GoalFive.

There is no doubt that running is one of the most popular sports out there. When it comes to finding a pair of shorts for running, there are a couple different options to choose from. Many people opt for shorts that are looser with built-in underwear, providing a lightweight and breathable feel no matter the distance.

For  others, spandex shorts are popular because it helps to reduce the amount of chafing that can come from running long distances, supports your muscles, and even provides aerodynamic advantages that are noticeable throughout the run. Choosing the pair of shorts to wear can also depend on the weather where a looser pair of running shorts can help air to get through much easier. 

Yoga or Pilates

A pair of spandex bike shorts are great to wear to do yoga or pilates because it keeps everything compressed but flexible. Image courtesy of GoalFive.

Some folks don’t realize how intense both yoga and pilates can be, and there are many benefits to participating in one or both of these activities. From working on your flexibility and balance, posture, core strength, and even stress management, there are lots of reasons to give these types of exercises a try, but it’s crucial to know what kind of shorts to wear for the occasion.

 Bike shorts are great to wear for yoga and pilates because it helps to add compression to your legs and glutes, and they are super lightweight when they are on. For added comfortability, high-waisted shorts are great so you avoid pulling them up the entire class, and they help to keep your stomach nice and tight while working on your core too. 

Weightlifting

Shorts that don’t hold you back when you’re weightlifting and are made out of a stretchy, durable material is ideal. Image courtesy of GoalFive.

Weightlifting and getting bigger gains is something that many people strive to work on every time they’re in the gym. There are many benefits to weightlifting that include muscle strengthening, injury protection, boosts metabolism, improves heart and brain health, and it even can help to prevent certain diseases as well. Finding shorts for weightlifting can be challenging, and you want something that is stretchy and made out of a durable material.

It is important to find the right material when it comes to finding the perfect pair of shorts to lift weights in, and it is recommended to go with a top-quality elastane-boosted fabric that provides the perfect stretch you need to get your workout done. This kind of fabric also helps to prevent chafing and sweating during a workout because it allows your body to flex and stretch the way it needs to.

Sports

The ideal shorts to wear when practicing sports, or even playing a game, offers something light on the skin. Image courtesy of GoalFive.

There are tons of popular sports to play outside that include baseball, softball, football, tennis, basketball, golf, soccer, and even the newest craze, pickleball. Finding a simple pair of athletic shorts is important for any of these sports, and the same pair can be used to play multiple sports. For shorts for whatever sport you play, something non-restricting, gentle, and loose on the skin is what is most comfortable.

Polyester shorts, to be specific, are great shorts to wear for any sport you play because of their moisture-wicking properties, not to mention they are ultra comfortable. No matter the brand, these types of shorts offer a diverse range of colors that is great to personalize to your style, and they can come with different waistbands, and can be either high or low-waisted. Lots of these shorts also come with built-in underwear, or shorts to add extra protection and comfortability too.

There are tons of reasons to get involved in exercising daily for the health benefits, but also to look and feel better in your own skin. Finding the best workout gear, especially shorts, is crucial to be comfortable and get the most out of any workout that you do, whether it’s a sport you play, weightlifting, yoga and pilates, or running.