Should I wear a jockstrap at the gym?
That’s the eternal question. I swear I spend 90% of my time in the gym adjusting my junk, and that’s not intended as a boast. Wedgies, front wedgies, nut smashing; all are potentially dangerous distractions when I should be focusing on my next rep.
Add to that the desire to have your assets looking their best when you’re squatting, lifting, and thrusting; deciding what to wear under your shorts is a crucial decision when planning your gym-wardrobe. So should I be wearing jockstraps at the gym, and are they really better for my … performance?
Pros and cons of jockstraps?
Despite being used mainly for fetish websites and bubble-butt tumblr feeds, jockstraps were originally conceived as a purely functional form of underwear to improve athletic performance. Invented for cyclists back in 1874, the purpose of a jockstrap is to hold your boys in place and reduce any excessive movement down there while exercising.
It has the added advantage of being able to add a protective cup for those of you taking part in sports or other events where your testicles might sustain some heavy impact.
The major downside of the jockstrap is the stigma that surrounds them. Having your ass hanging out of the back of your shorts is not as socially acceptable as it once was (although that may be part of their appeal). Its bulky front might not be as comfortable as you’d imagine when you’re sprinting on a treadmill or swinging a kettlebell.
Alternative: Compression shorts/leggings
In addition to keeping your package in place, compression shorts and leggings support the whole upper leg, your butt, and can help to reduce friction/chafing all over. They keep things in their place and “out of harm’s way” so to speak.
A study published in the “Journal of Sports Science” in 2003 indicated that compression shorts might also increase performance and help prevent injury to the upper leg muscles.
However, if you do decide to opt for these, it’s only really socially acceptable to wear them under a pair of shorts. Despite what the afore-mentioned tumblr feeds might suggest, the regular gym-going public will not enjoy seeing your sweaty compressed bulge looking them right in the eye while you’re stretching.
Do you wear jockstraps at the gym?
So now we need to know, do you wear jockstraps at the gym? Or compression shorts, short shorts, leggings, joggers, or something we haven’t thought of?
Need some compression pants? Check out the huge selection on Amazon.
Let us know in the comments below, or better yet, show us by tagging us @gayfitnessuk on Instagram!