Thursday, August 8, 2013

Men’s Workout Shorts: Buying Guide

Buying mens’ athletic shorts can be a little more involved than you might initially think. These days, there are different kinds of shorts, all specifically made for every sport or activity under the sun. Men’s Workout Shorts #1: Compression Shorts1 Compression shorts are the athlete’s new jock strap. They provide extra support for the groin, [...]

The post Men’s Workout Shorts: Buying Guide appeared first on BuiltLean.com.

Buying mens’ athletic shorts can be a little more involved than you might initially think. These days, there are different kinds of shorts, all specifically made for every sport or activity under the sun.

Men’s Workout Shorts #1: Compression Shorts1

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Compression shorts are the athlete’s new jock strap. They provide extra support for the groin, thighs, and hamstrings, as well as extra warmth, reducing chance of pulling or straining muscles. They can also come in handy when trying to protect skin from rashes or chafing. Studies also show compression shorts can help improve blood circulation and decrease chance of blood clots. Compression shorts are commonly used by competitive athletes. For example, triathletes often wear compression shorts in an effort to shave off time and prevent injury during serious training. They are also perfect for male athletes
because they help support the man’s body.

Men’s Workout Shorts #2: Biking Shorts2

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While biking shorts are similar to compression shorts, they vary in a few different ways. Bike shorts are recommended for more recreational cyclists, while compression shorts are often worn while cycling by serious athletes and triathletes. Bike shorts are usually made from spandex and compression shorts are made from materials like neoprene, which hug even closer to the body. Most bike shorts have padding sewn in the saddle area to create greater comforter during rides.

Men’s Workout Shorts #3. Basketball Shorts3

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Sports such as basketball have their own type of shorts for a few reasons. First of all, basketball shorts are longer than knee length, and roomier than most other men’s athletic shorts. They are also made of performance fabric, which is heavier, than say, polyester in running shorts. While looser fitting shorts are more effective during a game like basketball, legend has it that Michael Jordan requested longer shorts because he habitually held onto his shorts’ fabrics in between plays, and everyone else followed suit.

Men’s Workout Shorts #4. All-Purpose Shorts4

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For all-purpose workout shorts, there are several options for men. Looser cotton fabrics or cotton blends are recommended for optimal comfort during sessions on free weight machines or using free weights. Plus, cotton helps to wick away sweat during workouts, washes well, and requires minimal care. It is a good idea to find a looser fit to allow for plenty of movement. Men working out in the gym generally wear shorts with drawstrings, falling to the mid-thigh or longer. However, it’s important to make sure shorts are not too big during gym work outs because extra fabric can get in the way and sometimes even cause safety issues.

General Sizing (Waist in inches)

  • Small: 28-30
  • Medium: 32-35
  • Large: 36-38
  • Extra Large: 40-42
  • 2X: 44-46

Men’s Workout Shorts #5. Running Shorts5

Length tends to be an issue with men’s shorts, especially running shorts. Running shorts typically come in three length options – 5, 7, and 9 inches, noted by the inseam measurement.

Running Shorts Sizes:

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5 inch – Puma

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7 inch – Adidas

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9 inch – Nike

Choosing length depends on your body type, personal goals, and comfort level. If you are prone to chaffing at the thighs during runs, it may be smart to invest in a slightly longer pair. It is common for runners to opt for shorter shorts during quicker, shorter runs. Otherwise, make sure running shorts are lightweight and made out of lycra or polyester, which is breathable and helps to wick moisture from skin. Cotton shorts will rub and irritate skin during runs.

Mens’ Workout Shorts: Pricing

Men’s athletic shorts range vastly in price, and can start as low as $2.99 for shorts like Official Issue’s Varsity Inseam Mesh Shorts. Prices can reach up to about $75 for shorts like Reebok’s Crossfit Windowpane training shorts, which are made especially for Crossfit workouts. According to Amazon.com, the top sellers below come from four brands, including Champion, Under Armour, Soffe and Russell.

What are your favorite workout shorts?

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