There's only one man who can get away with being commando at the gym, and his name is Steve Willis. The rest of you fellas need to wear underwear.
There's only one man who can get away with being commando at the gym, and his name is Steve Willis. The rest of you fellas need to wear underwear — always.
Every gymgoer has a horror story about copping an unwanted eyeful, usually of someone who's bench pressing (or in any similar position that involves lying back with legs set apart).
There are already enough things that should never be encountered in the gym — unflattering activewear, soppy couples working out together, people yet to discover deodorant has been invented — without adding the no-underwear crowd.
The good news is that, anecdotally, most men I spoke to about this issue have never intentionally gone commando while they work out. If it's happened, it's happened because they forgot a change of underwear.
But there are deliberate, frequent commandos out there. Staff at one major inner-city Sydney gym tell me about a former member so notorious for his constant lack of underwear that he was ultimately asked to leave for good.
Coach writer Stu Marsh spins a tale of another Sydney gym where one of the regulars is renowned for both his lack of underpants and for wearing running shorts with especially high side splits (a double no-no).
Fellas: this is not cool. Maybe you don't think anyone will notice you're not wearing underwear — but we do. Maybe you don't care if anyone notices you're not wearing underwear — but you should.
If you don't consider decency, consider safety. Surely you don't want everything hanging loose in the gym, knocking around and getting squeezed while you're using the leg press? As Stu poetically puts it to me: no tangle, no dangle.
You need proper support when you exercise, and the baggy gusset (a word up there with "moist" and "panties" for its grossness) hanging in your shorts doesn't cut it.
So what should you wear? My personal preference has long been a pair of comfortable-fitting swimwear: the tightness provides better support than regular pair of undies — think of them as the male equivalent of a sports bra — and they're easy to wash, quick to dry, and don't smell as bad as day-to-day fabrics if you accidentally leave them in your bag overnight.
If the burden of carting around swimmers or a pair set of undies is too much to bear, Sydney-based men's activewear brand teamm8 recently released its two-in-one Activ8 brief/trunk that you can wear all day in the office then to the gym — saving you precious seconds getting changed.
Teamm8's 2in1 Activ8 Sports Brief
"The days are now gone of awkwardly having to carry your 'sweaty' post-gym underwear around in a plastic bag," Teamm8 founder Michal Nicolas said in a press release.
(I tried out a pair and can confirm that they're as comfortable at work as they are working out. That said, I'd still recommend changing into fresh underwear after any sweat session.)
None of this is to say men should cover themselves head-to-toe for fear of revealing more than they intended. Absolutely feel free flash your thighs at the gym in stylish shorty shorts. Just wear something underneath them.
And FYI, jumping on the compression gear trend doesn't give you an excuse to ditch underwear. As we've noted on Coach before, if you're going to go tight, you have a duty to keep yourself, uh, neatly packaged to avoid the dreaded "moose knuckle". Sans underwear is just as unflattering in tights as it is in baggy basketball shorts.
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FAQs
Without anything down there to wick moisture -- and there is a lot of moisture down there during workouts -- sweat would remain directly on the skin, Dr. Gersh explains. This can lead to chafing, rashes and infections if you don't promptly wash and dry your body.
Is it okay to not wear underwear at the gym? ›
“Going without underwear with just workout leggings or shorts is likely best for vagin*l health by improving breathability and reducing trapped moisture,” she says.
Is it OK for a man not to wear underwear? ›
Underwear can help protect delicate genital skin, but you may not always need to wear it. Going commando may help prevent common concerns like yeast infections, UTIs, or jock itch. When you do wear underwear, stick with cotton, avoid a tight fit, and change it daily, experts say.
Is it good to wear underwear all the time for men? ›
Are they necessary for the health of our groin? The good news is there isn't any medical reason that states you need underwear for support, says Jamin Brahmbhatt, M.D., co-director of the PUR urology clinic in Clermont, Florida. If you're looking for a sign to go commando more often, here it is.
Do men wear underwear under gym shorts? ›
Lined gym shorts are designed to be worn without underwear to prevent chafing. The inner liner is usually made of a light, breathable material that wicks away moisture and reduces friction between your skin and the fabric of the shorts.
Why is it important to wear underwear in bed for guys? ›
Hygiene and Health Considerations
The genital area is prone to sweat and bacterial growth, which can lead to infections if not managed properly. Breathability and Moisture Control: Wearing breathable underwear can help manage moisture levels, reducing the risk of fungal and bacterial infections.
Can guys go commando at the gym? ›
Related to Guys Going Commando at The Gym
No, it's not recommended to go commando at the gym. If you sneeze, cough, laugh too hard, or experience hormonal changes, wetness might appear on the outside of your leggings. It's better to wear underwear to absorb these changes.
Is it healthier to go commando? ›
Going commando may promote better circulation and temperature regulation in the pelvic area. Probably not something you think about often, but it's true. Without the constricting confines of tight underwear, blood flow is less restricted, allowing for optimal circulation throughout the region.
Do I need special underwear for gym? ›
Wear moisture-wicking underwear to prevent sweat from entering your genitals. Avoid underwear that's too tight and causes chafing. Choose natural fabric instead of synthetic because the material matters so much. Buy breathable, stretchable, and comfortable underwear for workouts.
What percentage of men don't wear underwear? ›
Did you know that a small percentage of men choose to not wear underwear at all? Yes, according to surveys, 5% to 7% percent of men go commando regularly.
When I play, I don't wear “regular” underwear. I wear compression shorts instead. They are about the same length as normal underwear and are tight on the skin, so it doesn't even feel like you're wearing anything under your shorts.
Have men always worn underwear? ›
Loincloths were the first and primary form of men's underwear dating back 7,000 years ago. Prehistoric men used a single piece of cloth wrapped around their waist to cover their bits.
Is it necessary to wear underwear during a workout for men? ›
We all know that even low-intensity exercise causes the body to sweat. Without tight-fighting flexible undergarments, this often leads to chafing and irritation, which can even lead to infection if persistent and left untreated. Symptoms such as this can be especially uncomfortable in the groin area.
Are boxers healthier than briefs? ›
Boxer briefs underwear are loose-fitting underwear, which is healthier for men and fertility since it allows for better scrotum freedom. Conversely, shorts are less constricted than briefs and provide the support needed for physical exercise. They are quite comfy and improve male fertility.
Can you go commando in jeans? ›
Jeans, public enemy number one
Trust me, never go commando in skinny jeans, no matter what people tell you. In fact, panties or no panties, skinny jeans should be avoided at all costs because they are guaranteed to cause irritation.
Is it necessary to wear underwear while running for men? ›
It's not necessary to wear underwear under a built-in liner short - it's really up to your personal preference. Take a sneak peek at Nike's brief-lined running shorts range below.
What type of underwear should men wear when working out? ›
The best men's underwear for running, jogging, or sprinting across varying distances should be those that offer comfort, support, and excellent moisture wicking capabilities. With this, we'd recommend boxer-briefs with a blend of materials including, nylon, cotton, and spandex.
Do I need special underwear for the gym? ›
Wear moisture-wicking underwear to prevent sweat from entering your genitals. Avoid underwear that's too tight and causes chafing. Choose natural fabric instead of synthetic because the material matters so much. Buy breathable, stretchable, and comfortable underwear for workouts.
Is wearing a supporter in the gym necessary? ›
If you do not wear a supporter in the gym , then it's a huge risk of getting major injuries because then chances increases of slipping the heavy weights from your hands.
