Source
r/xxfitness•
InternetBird

Question About Gym Garb (x-post from fittit)

Hello fellow ladies! (Hope no one minds, I just copy/pasted my post from r/fittit after I was directed here).

So I've been doing strength training for a few months now and have changed from wearing loose shorts/sweat pants to spandex-ey things on my bottom half. Doing this lessens my chance of pant splitting during squats or sweaty panty-flashing during push-up, reverse crunches, etc... I totally realize how superficial the following question will sound, but I don't care-- If I'm not wearing a thong, how the hell do I avoid panty lines so I don't have to see them every effing time I look in the mirror to check my form? So, if anyone has any gym "beauty [booty] secrets" they wish to share with the group, I'm listening.

Posted Jun 30, 2011, 8:57 PM UTC

1229
o0ctrlaltdel0o•

Honestly, I couldn't give less of a fuck whether or not my panty lines are showing. Having other people discover that I, gasp, wear underwear doesn't make me a huge social pariah.

In any case, I sometimes will wear spandex bike shorts underneath looser shorts. The two layers are enough to either hide panty lines or make you feel less exposed if you don't wear panties. Attractive? No. Panty line problem solved? You betcha!

13
mens_libertina•

i do this too.. no worries when doing straddle stretches and not as "sexy" as just the spandex. especially these days when it seems like you can't find shorts long enough to cover your butt!!

1
redandshiny•

I usually wear wicking boy shorts - or none. That's why I loove running shorts with the built in underwear.

10
AdventuresofPippi•

they have shorts with build in undies?

please, please, take me out of the dark ages

5
redandshiny•

Yeah most running shorts have built in undies. See Nike Tempo, although the fabric isn't great for lifting, lululemon shorts although they cost an arm and a leg, and lots of much cheaper (~10$) shorts if you just go to TJMaxx or Marshalls and browse the athletic gear.

3
Jewleeahh•

I'm so glad to have come across this, because I own nike shorts like that and have been very confused on whether or not I'm supposed to wear underwear with them. I guess not!

2
CaffeineGenie•

Wicking underwear needs to get in my life. Where do you find it?

2
redandshiny•

pretty much any sports store. I get REI brand bikini or string bikini or the Patagonia stuff is much nicer but also more expensive. I usually scour online websites (backcountry, altrec, moosejaw) or set up a price alert for when they go on sale. They're great and last forever (line/air dry for longer life).

3
Aaaaaagh•

I wear guy's athletic shorts in the gym (and most other places in the summer, since I bike everywhere). Usually commando, but sometimes with whatever underwear. No panty lines, but not terribly sexy either. I figure I'm sexy with my clothes off, so who cares?

7
TheGreatKhan22•

I recommend these all the time. No panty lines and considerably less wedgies.

However, if your pants are super-duper tight, you'll go from panty lines to boy short lines. But your pants need to be really thin and almost unbearably tight for that to happen.

6
InternetBirdOP•

These look good and affordable. Thanks!

5
huntingbears•

Commando?

6
NoShadowFist•

Are you unfamiliar with this euphemism, or are you questioning not wearing underwear? Usually it is known as "going commando" a.k.a. unfurnished basement, free ballin' (men), etc.

1
huntingbears•

I was suggesting it as a way to avoid panty lines.

1
NoShadowFist•

Sorry, I read that wrong. Kind of the nuclear option though, don't you think?

1
huntingbears•

Hence the question mark.

1
mens_libertina•

NO. Too much sweat, usually. AND do you really want to sit on a bench commando, or after someone else going commando? Plus, if OP's afraid of a panty flash, surely commando would be mortifying.

No. Please exercise with good hygiene practices (guys, you too)!

1
WerewolfBatMitzvah•

Soma Intimates has these "vanishing edge" undies that are amazing. They're expensive, but if you can find them on sale it's not too bad. Plus they're worth it if you hate thongs and wedgies (the silicone on the edge of the butt keeps them from riding up your butt). My favorite style is the bikini. Also, I prefer the microfiber to the cotton ones. They all have cotton gussets, so that's not a problem.

If all of my vanishing edge underwear are dirty, I just go without. Dangerous, but I am not prone to camel toe, so it's ok.

5
InternetBirdOP•

Soma appears to be having a sale. Excellent.
I am very scared of going to the gym without underwear, but yours is the second recommendation I've had. This may require reconsideration on my part.

Edit: grammar

4
WerewolfBatMitzvah•

Pants that fit well and have a gusset are necessary if you want to go commando. I recommend going with some pretty tight, firm pants.

2
mens_libertina•

no no no. i guess I'm a germiphobe when comes to commando, plus i sweat a ton. I love my cute cotton boy shorts (no ride up, no lines) that I buy when they're like $2.80 and plain old "period panties" (ie. granny panties). It's like having a sweat towel where you need it!

1
to_Becca_again•

So, they are expensive, but the fabric is thick and doubled in the crotch on most lululemon pants. If you are going to go commando... invest in a pair. Also they rock as far as making your butt look great. I have 2 pair of run inspire (one pants, one crops), 2 pair of groove pants, and another one I'm unsure of the name. It took me 2 years to own that many (because of the price) but I am happy to fork it over for the fit, performance, look, and longevity. Once you know your size you can try eBay for a pair, occasionally I got lucky there.

3
psisarah•

I am never not wearing a thong. They're too comfortable and panty lines never show. I have sporty cotton ones for the gym, biking, etc.

2
petra_reuter•

This. I really like the Gap Body cotton thongs. They're soft, comfy and don't ride up.

1
mens_libertina•

pretty much, the whole thing rides, doesn't it? X-)

I can't stand a thong for active exercise like running. I much prefer boy short styles where there's no way for them to go anywhere.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
lexabear•

I guess I don't understand the problems with pant splitting or unintentional panty-flashing that you're having. I usually wear pretty standard mesh shorts (actually from my high school gym class 11 yrs ago!!) and they're loose enough that there's no panty line or splitting issues, but tight enough that the legs aren't flopping around panty-revealingly. I also have a pair of longer, yoga-ish-but-not-that-loose pants for the colder season.

I guess what I'm saying is instead of looking for fancypants undies, look for pants that aren't as tight.

1
InternetBirdOP•

Without going into too much detail, the panty flashing thing comes from doing the reverse crunch (not sure that's the actual name) on an incline and the pant splitting fear is from wide squats and... this other thing I do for which I know no name... Anyway. I've never been one to invest money in gym clothes. I just look at them as something you're buying that you will knowingly ruin with sweat. But I do appreciate everyone's different ideas. This is one of those things I'd rather ask other women about before I go spending money trying to find the most functional solution.

2
mens_libertina•

The main problem with the flashing is that the shorts are too short and loose. Basketball-stlyle shorts are much longer and more fitting than typical "exercise" shorts, so they don't slide up the leg enough to show panties.

The other way to go is volleyball / cheerleader shorts that are so short and fitted, they have nowhere to go. :-/

1