If you have some cycling shorts, and you are planning a gym session, you may be wondering if you can reuse them…
Can you wear cycling shorts to the gym?
Yes, you can, and they’re quite comfortable if you work out aggressively. Designed to prevent chafing, they’re certainly good for stationary bikes, but the chamois cloth also makes them more comfortable than your average pair of gym shorts.
Worn with a loose top, they are even quite fashionable, so if you feel like wearing your cycling shorts to the gym then that’s perfectly fine and you might just find that they’re an excellent fit for the task.
How do you wear biker shorts to the gym?
For men, biker shorts worn with a sleeveless, oversized T-shirt are a good, casual fit, and after your exertions, you’ll look pumped up and fashionable when you leave.
For women, a crop top or sports bra is an excellent pairing with biker shorts, and aside from looking amazing, it will also be apparent to the world that you’ve just put in a solid fitness session due to the tightness of muscle that follows a vigorous workout.
What shorts can I wear to the gym?
You can wear just about anything that you like. No one is going to give you grief unless you go out of your way to wear something that stands out. As such, it’s a good idea to go with something comfortable or just stick to the classic – standard gym shorts.
Made of a blend that typically consists of nylon, polyester, and spandex, gym shorts have a bit of flex to them and breathe well so that you won’t have to worry about sweat appearing in your shorts and making your workout awkward.
Should I wear bike shorts for the stationary bike?
You don’t have to, but it’s a good idea. Wearing biking shorts gives you a little extra padding, which can make riding the stationary bike much more comfortable, and which can also help to prevent the leg numbness that sometimes comes with an aggressive indoor stationary bike session.
The added comfort will also help you with proper form, so that discomfort from a long ride doesn’t lead you to just ‘push your way through’ without concentrating on your leg placement and posture.
Is it better to wear shorts to the gym?
It’s up to you, but shorts are certainly one of the most comfortable options. That said, some ‘gym junkies’ will switch between full leggings for full-body workouts and shorts for cardio, while others will keep it simple and just wear shorts for both.
Either of these is perfectly fine, so we recommend simply going with what is the most comfortable option for you or simply what is the most fun for you. If you stick with one selection, you’ll have less laundry, but some folks like to switch out their clothing options for practicality or even simply for showing off.
Enjoying your session will help to motivate you to go to the gym more often, so have fun with it and simply go with the clothing options that amuse you the most.
Are cycling shorts still in fashion?
Cycling shorts tend to keep up with current fashion – after all, they wouldn’t sell at all if they didn’t look good! As such, yes, they are certainly still in fashion, with summer being the most popular time for them. The most common look of the year is a blazer on top and cycling shorts below.
Let’s face it – fitness looks good – and cycling shorts have never been out of fashion for people who like to look good, as well!
Do you wear anything underneath cycling shorts?
No, you shouldn’t wear anything underneath your cycling shorts, as they are designed to fit tightly and securely against your crotch and your skin. This is by design – the soft chamois cloth and the close fit help to keep the shorts from bunching up and chafing you.
Just make sure that they fit you like a second skin – if you get loose shorts, then you will get some chafing. If you want to wear underwear anyway, keep in mind that your panties or briefs will work against the shorts, scrunching up inside and rubbing against your skin, while also making them warmer.
It’s best to just wear nothing underneath so that the cycling shorts can work the way that they are designed for.
Why do athletes wear cycling shorts?
Cycling shorts are lightweight and also soft and padded for extra comfort when riding on that bike seat for prolonged periods. As they fit tightly, they also won’t move as much as classic shorts and this reduces chafing, and they won’t get caught in gears as untucked leggings or pants would.
So, in a nutshell, athletes wear them because they are lighter, more comfortable, and safer to wear when competing or when getting into a solid workout with an hour or more of cycling.
What is the difference between bike shorts and cycling shorts?
Well, most types will be of a similar design, which is a padded chamois cloth that has a tight fit so that chafing is reduced and so that the rider is more aerodynamic without the presence of flapping clothing.
The terms ‘bike shorts’ and ‘cycling shorts’ are most often simply interchangeable, with one exception being for mountain biking ‘bike shorts’ – these are simply comfortable, baggy shorts, that have no padding included in the design.
Don’t worry about getting them mixed up, however, as you can simply pick up a pair and you’ll feel right away if they are soft and padding or not.
Can you wear cycling shorts alone?
Yes, you could wear them instead of underwear in a pinch, but it’s not recommended. As they are designed for fitness, by putting them on under jeans to wear for something else, such as work, you aren’t doing yourself any favors.
The shorts will be warm and likely to trap moisture, plus having the tight shorts under loose jeans is going to move either a little restrictive or simply noticeably ‘weird’ and distracting. Stick with underwear when you aren’t working out and leave your cycling shorts for cycling or your gym sessions for the best results.