9 Best Workout Shorts

Getting motivated to exercise is difficult enough without worrying about how you look. And needless to say, going all out in the gym is challenging enough without the wrong clothes holding you back.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a runner, a biker, a gym rat, or a CrossFit enthusiast. Whatever your preferred workout is, you’ll benefit from having good-quality activewear at your disposal.

In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know to select the best workout shorts for your needs. Sure, the market is saturated and the sheer number of options we have can be confusing. Luckily, it’s nothing that a quick read-through of this guide can’t remedy.

Ready? Let’s dive right in!

Why should you invest in proper workout shorts?

For fitness enthusiasts, investing in good quality activewear is a no-brainer. But for the rest of the population, the importance of wearing proper workout clothes isn’t as obvious.

Many of us are probably guilty of wearing regular cotton shorts—or worse, even denim shorts—to the gym at least once in our lives. Hey, no judgment here. We didn’t know any better, right? But if you happen to still be in that phase where you don’t quite get why proper workout shorts are necessary, here’s a brief explainer:

• They won’t limit your movement. Workout shorts are cut and constructed differently than casual ones. They’re specifically designed to facilitate natural movement, and their seams are a lot more durable. That way, you won’t have to deal with embarrassing bulges or ripped shorts. Plus, you’ll be able to freely execute your reps without worrying about your clothes.
• They’re lightweight. Walk into any fitness store and you’ll see different brands boasting about how lightweight their workout clothes are. This only shows that in the world of active folks, lightweight clothing is given a lot of importance. In the end, clothes that weigh you down are bound to negatively affect your performance and comfort.
• They will keep you feeling cool and dry. The best workout shorts will wick away moisture and remain breathable all throughout your workout. Everyone hates the feeling that comes with excessive sweating, right? Well, proper workout shorts are there to help keep you dry.
• Regular clothes show wet stains. You know those sweat stains you get along the neckline of your shirt after a particularly strenuous activity? With non-moisture-wicking fabrics, they can show up on your shorts, too. Even worse, these wet stains tend to form on the groin area and along the middle of your backside—making it look as if you had a nasty accident. A good pair of workout shorts will help prevent this from happening. After all, no one wants to be more self-conscious than they already are in the gym.
• They’re better at fighting odor. Because workout shorts help evaporate moisture faster, they keep odor-causing bacteria from infesting your clothes. What’s more, some of the more advanced workout apparel even have fibers or materials that boast inherent anti-microbial properties.
• They can make or break your workout. Making the most out of any exercise starts in the mind. When you walk into the gym knowing that you’re wearing the right kind of clothing, you become more confident, self-assured, and free to move.

Ultimately, investing in proper workout shorts will improve your performance, confidence, and comfort level and help lower the risk of injuries. Sure, you might wear them only a few times a week, but they’re well worth it in the long run.

Types of Workout Shorts

Obviously, workout shorts are not one-size-fits-all. Some workouts will require special cuts, fabrics, or features. If you want to learn more about the different types of workout shorts, check out this section.

Compression shorts

Compression shorts are useful in so many ways. They provide added support to the hamstrings, thighs, and groin—therefore helping lessen the risk of injury. Compression gear, in general, is designed to stimulate blood circulation by adding a bit of pressure to the muscles. This decreases the chance of blood clots and helps the muscles recover faster.

Because compression shorts hug the skin, they’re a great option if you want to protect yourself from chafing and rashes. What’s more, they provide extra warmth to the muscles, which then makes your muscles less prone to pulling or straining. Overall, if you are a competitive athlete or into some serious training, compression shorts are a must-have.

Running shorts

Running shorts are designed to be super lightweight to avoid weighing you down during your runs. They’re also usually made of polyester or lycra—breathable fabrics that wick sweat away from the body. Good quality running shorts avoid the use of cotton because this fabric makes your inner thighs more prone to chafing and irritation.

Typically, you can get running shorts in one of three lengths—five, seven, or nine inches inseam. The best length for you will, of course, depend on your preference, height, and body type. If you frequently struggle with chafing, a longer pair of shorts would probably suit you best. On the flip side, short shorts are great for a quick running session in the summer.

Yoga Shorts

Unlike any other type of workout shorts, yoga shorts should be loose and comfortable above all. They should allow free movement in order to let you execute even the most complicated poses without worry. At the same time, they shouldn’t be so loose that they ride up and expose the wrong body parts when you’re trying to execute anything that would require your legs to go upside down.

All-Purpose Shorts

If you’re looking into all-purpose shorts for when you’re using free weights or machines in the gym, consider cotton-blend shorts that are mid-thigh to above-the-knee in length. Anything longer than that might limit your movement and even give way to safety issues.

Plus, while cotton fabrics are not the best at keeping you dry, they’re comfortable, low-maintenance, and they wash well—perfect for workouts that don’t make you generate a ton of sweat.

How to buy the best workout shorts

When it comes to clothing, we know you’re probably used to walking into a shop, buying the first decent piece that fits, and then leaving. But when it comes to choosing the best workout shorts, there are actually several factors that you have to consider before making the best purchasing decision.

Aside from checking the reviews and ratings of a particular pair of shorts, here are some of the other key considerations you should think of before shelling out cash. Now, not all of them might matter – some will depend on the type of workout you like doing. Nonetheless, scanning this list will definitely help you make a better choice.

Fabric

When it comes to the best workout shorts, the type of fabric used will always make a difference. Shorts will either be made using natural or synthetic fibers or a combination of these two.

Synthetic fibers provide great moisture management and are frequently stretchable. Polyester, polyester-spandex, and nylon blend are some examples of synthetic fabrics.

Natural fiber workout shorts are usually made of cotton. These shorts will offer good stretch, comfort, and movement. However, they aren’t as great at wicking away moisture from the skin. Natural fibers are also less durable than synthetic ones.

Breathability

Breathability is important to keep you cool and comfortable. If you live in a place where it gets extremely hot in the summer, wearing shorts that aren’t breathable enough can lead to heat rash, excessive sweating, and discomfort.

Using breathable fabrics, as well as a cut that allows for excellent ventilation, will keep your groin from turning into a sweat fest. Some shorts also use mesh inserts to improve their breathability.

Moisture control

Moisture-wicking materials will make your workouts more pleasant—especially if you do a lot of sweaty cardio.

Working out in a clearly-drenched pair of shorts can be quite embarrassing. At the same time, fabrics that don’t have moisture-wicking abilities tend to get weighed down by sweat. You might also want to go for water-resistant fabrics if you live in a wet climate.

Pockets or storage

Depending on your preferred workout and situation, you might want to go for workout shorts that come with pockets. Different workout shorts will offer varying degrees of storage capacity. Some pairs will have tiny pockets for valuables like keys, while others will have enough space for you to carry an energy bar or a replenishing gel for long-distance running.

Liner

Some workout shorts come with a liner built-in. A liner can be good for your performance because it provides ample support and moisture-wicking properties. The idea behind having a liner is to make it unnecessary for you to wear underwear—helpful if you find that that extra layer of fabric is causing chafing issues. The liner should be supportive enough to keep your goods in place and wick away sweat.

Design

We all love a classic, understated pair of plain black workout shorts. But choosing a pair with a unique and colorful design can pay off, too! After all, the color of the clothes you wear can impact the effectiveness of your workouts.

Visibility

Visibility becomes important if you like to run, bike, or jog in the evening. Choosing a pair of shorts that has good reflective detail will help prevent accidents. At the very least, go for a pair that is vibrant in color (think neon green) as darker fabrics have less visibility.