Ladies who lift - do you wear shorts to the gym?

2

Replies

  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    I wear padded bike shorts year round when I take spin class. For regular workouts, from May to October, I wear shorts in the rest of the gym too - I get really hot and sweaty and really need them, regardless of what everyone else wears.

    I don't wear booty shorts like some do -I'm pear shaped- but I get compression shorts that go to just above the knee. I feel confident in them.

    It's pretty easy to find them and they're aren't that $$$.
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    Cropped leggings (capri length) have always been the easiest solution for me at the gym as they stay where they're supposed to and cover up my skin's unattractively pink-white hue. However, I live in a climate that rarely exceeds 25C in summer (no humidity either) and my gym is cool and air-conditioned in summer, so getting too hot isn't much of a concern for me.

    I wear leggings (full length in winter and the aformentioned cropped ones in summer) and tech tee shirts year-round at the gym since I feel most comfortable without much exposed skin. Zero judgement for those who feel differently but I can focus better if I'm not having to adjust anything and if I don't have to endure the stares from those who enjoy checking out the flesh on display. Invisibility is always my goal.

    I run outdoors all summer as well and usually stick to the same gear. Less skin to sunburn, less temptation for the kind of idiots who yell at you from cars.
  • megemrj
    megemrj Posts: 547 Member
    Currently, I wear capris with racer back tees. I cannot wear sleeved shirts anymore, just feels wrong on me & too constricting.

    The capris are getting longer as I continue to lose weight so are almost full on leggings now. I'm short at 5'1 to boot. I'm on the market for shorts and trying to find a good pair that doesn't flash the weight room with every squat. I also have a generous thigh-butt-hip area with a smallish waist. Never easy shopping for clothes...Any clothes. Short shopping has been less than ideal.

    I must say though booty bluejean shorts fit my body type well. Love them! Think I'd make the "what not to wear when working out" thread if I wore mine to lift in?? Lol
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I usually wear leggings (full length or 3/4) but recently bought new balance shorts - they have lots of leg room, aren't too short, and are stretchy, so perfect for squatting without feeling restricted.

    I have a couple of pairs of Nike pro shorts, but don't feel comfortable in those unless I'm a bit leaner. Our gym lighting emphasises skin blemishes so much.... Everyone has cellulite!
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    trudie_b wrote: »
    What I'm not okay with would be feeling like I was dressed in a way that seemed design to attract attention...... that's just not me.

    i was going to say, probably makes the most sense to sort of observe the 'dress code' where you're lifting and blend in with that. then i saw that you said you're the only woman, so so much for that.

    i think it should be about where you're comfortable. you're the only person who knows the vibe and culture where you're lifting, so me telling you what i'm comfortable with might not translate well to where you are. fwiw though, i wear a lot of leggings but don't do shorts much. seems i don't care if the world knows everything there is to know about my shape, just so long as they can't see my skin :tongue:
  • 30kgin2017
    30kgin2017 Posts: 228 Member
    edited January 2017
    KDar1988 wrote: »
    I have 1 pair of favorite shorts and if I lose any more weight I won't be able to wear them anymore and the company doesn't make them any longer :( They are 2 in 1's...bicycle type short sewn in underneath and a mesh outer short. I have never loved anything as much as these in my life. The legs are snug, but not tight, they stay down and the only time a part of my thigh shows is when I'm squatting or doing DL's. I have ok looking thighs but this girl will never wear booty shorts no way! LOL

    I have a couple pairs of these and love them. underarmour had some just before xmas. I have an alright Adidas pair but got a target pair on clearance by gina splading or something similar and like them better because the bikepant part is a bit firmer/thicker and Adidas. Google double layer running shorts.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    I know I'm a guy, and my opinion wasn't requested. But For me, and for many of the same reasons, I wear a short or long sleeve compression shirt and compression shorts or capris for moisture wicking/cooling and a baggy cotton shirt and shorts because for myself I believe that nobody really wants to look at me.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    30kgin2017 wrote: »
    KDar1988 wrote: »
    I have 1 pair of favorite shorts and if I lose any more weight I won't be able to wear them anymore and the company doesn't make them any longer :( They are 2 in 1's...bicycle type short sewn in underneath and a mesh outer short. I have never loved anything as much as these in my life. The legs are snug, but not tight, they stay down and the only time a part of my thigh shows is when I'm squatting or doing DL's. I have ok looking thighs but this girl will never wear booty shorts no way! LOL

    I have a couple pairs of these and love them. underarmour had some just before xmas. I have an alright Adidas pair but got a target pair on clearance by gina splading or something similar and like them better because the bikepant part is a bit firmer/thicker and Adidas. Google double layer running shorts.

    Marshall's has this type of shorts in stock a lot. I don't know which brands, because the style doesn't fit me right (I need a higher waistline.) But I'm guessing that they'll start putting a bunch out in another month or so since that's when they start getting warmer weather clothes in stock.
  • aflane
    aflane Posts: 625 Member
    I like leggings under my shorts in the winter. I feel like I'm covered, and don't have to worry opacity or how low they are in the back. My shorts are cotton jersey material.
  • Z_I_L_L_A
    Z_I_L_L_A Posts: 2,399 Member
    Just lift...I know, I know, eat a snickers bar Z.
  • jagodfrey08
    jagodfrey08 Posts: 425 Member
    Z_I_L_L_A wrote: »
    Just lift...I know, I know, eat a snickers bar Z.

    "Just lift." You need to make that into a t-shirt.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My wife wears capri workout leggings.
  • RebeccaNaegle
    RebeccaNaegle Posts: 236 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    I have a pair of those shorts with the rubber (silicone?) band to keep them from going up and I don't like them. It feels like wearing rubber bands on my legs, which is more distracting then having to pull the legs back down.
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Willbenchforcupcakes wrote: »
    I wear Nike pros and under armour heat gear shorts. I'd wear booty shorts if they were allowed in my gym. Especially on squat days. I hate pulling my knee sleeves on over pants.

    You're gym doesn't allow booty shorts?

    (I generally lift in capris- especially now that it is winter) but- I'd probably switch to wraps if I was using sleeves- I know they are a pain in the *kitten*- but I love my pants to much LMAO.

    I always like to hear what other gyms do/don't allow. The gym I go to doesn't allow tank tops or sleeveless shirts but has no rules about bottoms.

    I would HATE not being able to wear a tank top in the gym!!!!! I would get so hot!
  • julie_broadhead
    julie_broadhead Posts: 347 Member
    I usually don't wear shorts during workouts because, even though my legs are really thin, my thighs rub together during my workouts. This causes every pair of shorts I've tried to ride up and cause some pretty bad inner thigh chaffing. I can wear long compression shorts and the compression short/baggy combination shorts.
  • Gimsteinn
    Gimsteinn Posts: 7,678 Member
    I wear yoga shorts when I know I'll be warm AF.. and leggings when it's not as intense of a workout
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Your say your legs feel fat in running shorts but not in booty shorts, which are shorter and your thighs are more visible. So this suggests to me that the problem is mainly your perception of yourself, not the fit of the clothing. I'm not sure how to help you with that.
    I wear stretch/compression shorts that are several inches long. They are great! The problem with running shorts is that because they are baggy they would flop up when doing any floor work, like planks or a floor press or glute bridges and show more of what you might not want to show.
  • KDar1988
    KDar1988 Posts: 648 Member
    30kgin2017 wrote: »
    KDar1988 wrote: »
    I have 1 pair of favorite shorts and if I lose any more weight I won't be able to wear them anymore and the company doesn't make them any longer :( They are 2 in 1's...bicycle type short sewn in underneath and a mesh outer short. I have never loved anything as much as these in my life. The legs are snug, but not tight, they stay down and the only time a part of my thigh shows is when I'm squatting or doing DL's. I have ok looking thighs but this girl will never wear booty shorts no way! LOL

    I have a couple pairs of these and love them. underarmour had some just before xmas. I have an alright Adidas pair but got a target pair on clearance by gina splading or something similar and like them better because the bikepant part is a bit firmer/thicker and Adidas. Google double layer running shorts.

    Mine are sewn together as 1 in the thigh area which is really nice! I have looked at some brands and they don't seem to be sewn in that area. I'll give your suggestions a look. Thanks :)
  • jagodfrey08
    jagodfrey08 Posts: 425 Member
    Jtalaskamom wrote: »
    I usually don't wear shorts during workouts because, even though my legs are really thin, my thighs rub together during my workouts. This causes every pair of shorts I've tried to ride up and cause some pretty bad inner thigh chaffing. I can wear long compression shorts and the compression short/baggy combination shorts.

    I have had this problem. Have you ever tried a Glide stick? It goes on like deodorant in the areas where you chaff, and it helps those areas slide over one another instead of creating friction. It can sometime help with the shorts riding up.
  • trudie_b
    trudie_b Posts: 230 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Your say your legs feel fat in running shorts but not in booty shorts, which are shorter and your thighs are more visible. So this suggests to me that the problem is mainly your perception of yourself, not the fit of the clothing. I'm not sure how to help you with that.
    I wear stretch/compression shorts that are several inches long. They are great! The problem with running shorts is that because they are baggy they would flop up when doing any floor work, like planks or a floor press or glute bridges and show more of what you might not want to show.

    I think that's the problem - you expect running shorts to be loose, so when they aren't, they give the impression of chunky legs. But you can see that booty shorts are supposed to be tight.
  • gradchica27
    gradchica27 Posts: 777 Member
    I wear tight capris all year round. I have bigger thighs as well and shorts either ride up my behind or are super long and old lady looking. I just don't want to be messing with them at all.

    Enter the tight (perhaps indecently so) capris. I feel comfy and covered, but they're tight enough to not bunch up and I never have to adjust them.
  • slefko
    slefko Posts: 32 Member
    I am definitely pro leggings, usually capri length. I also have one or two pairs that are a little shorter, coming just below my knee. The funkier colors, the better!
  • goldenbeaut
    goldenbeaut Posts: 47 Member
    I also was very uncomfortable wearing shorts to the gym but mostly bc im kinda tall (5'6) and i feel like i show alot of leg when wearing shorts lol. but i have yet to find work out pants that are not see through when i bend over for squats or deadlifts. right now i wear shorts similar to these :

    http://www.champion.com/shop/champion/womens-workout/workout-bottoms/workout-shorts/champion-womens-shorts-cm8865?D1=SEARCHA&cm_mmc=Google-_-PLAs-_-NA-_-NA&ef_id=WIi9bgAAAN3v2T8B:20170125195300:s

    I also have gotten used to wearing just the spandex shorts with like a baggy tshirt or tank top and really no one notices or gives me grief about it. i dont feel like i get any more awkward stares than i already do :)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I wear capris or unpadded bike shorts in the summer.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    ...I always like to hear what other gyms do/don't allow. The gym I go to doesn't allow tank tops or sleeveless shirts but has no rules about bottoms.

    I wear a tank top in January and the heat is set on only 64-67 degrees...they'd have to have the AC super cold for me to be comfortable there in the summer.

  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    I wear short booty shorts to the gym, and yes, just a sports bra, when it's hot and I don't want to be covered in damp fabric. I don't bust my butt in the gym so hard to NOT get admired :D

    But Soffe sells mesh short shorts that are super comfortable, and fit more loosely around the thigh. They might make you feel a little more comfortable than traditional booty shorts, while still staying cool.
  • sllm1
    sllm1 Posts: 2,130 Member
    I honestly had no idea some gyms have dress codes!

    I wear capris but may experiment with shorts this summer. I'm thinking the booty short style (tight), but they do make some that are a couple of inches longer.

    Always, always tanks - no sleeves.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    ...I always like to hear what other gyms do/don't allow. The gym I go to doesn't allow tank tops or sleeveless shirts but has no rules about bottoms.

    I wear a tank top in January and the heat is set on only 64-67 degrees...they'd have to have the AC super cold for me to be comfortable there in the summer.

    I mostly workout at home in my basement where it is nice and cool. The no tank top thing doesn't bother me much because I only go there intermittently. I mostly find it funny, especially when I see other clothing options that fit into the "standard of decency" but show more skin. It just seems really weird to be so against bare shoulders. It's a college gym, not the Sistine Chapel.
  • jayneway0317
    jayneway0317 Posts: 5 Member
    I wear compression capri tights but I found a brand of workout tank (Lucy workout tank) that is a little longer and gives me a little more coverage on backside.. as a pear-shaped gal, I feel good in this! Mostly though, I've worked hard to get over how I do or do not look at the gym :) It takes a little work, but the insecurities can be conquered!
  • LiftandSkate
    LiftandSkate Posts: 148 Member
    Never. I just find them to be uncomfortable for lifting. I wear capris leggings + tank top, year-round.
  • Meganthedogmom
    Meganthedogmom Posts: 1,639 Member
    edited January 2017
    I'm just now getting comfortable enough with my body to start showing my legs. I've worn shorts to the gym two or three times since December. The ones I found I think were Reebok Crossfit brand? They don't ride up near as much as any of the other shorts I've ever worn. They are not quite booty shorts… A little longer. The best part is, they are reversible! AND they were on clearance!
    I basically got to the point where I don't give a crap about my cellulite. If I want to wear shorts then I'm going to wear shorts. Oh, but I only wear them for lifting. I start running and I get an instant major uncomfortable vag wedgie...
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