Change Your Gym Game: The Best Men’s Underwear for Working Out

July 16, 2025

You probably put some thought into what you wear to the gym.

The right shorts. A lightweight shirt. Good shoes. Maybe even a different outfit depending on whether you're lifting, running, or doing cardio.

But what about what's underneath all of that?

Your underwear can make a surprisingly big difference in how comfortable you feel during a workout. Too much fabric can bunch underneath your shorts. Boxer briefs can ride up your thighs. A bad pouch can leave you constantly adjusting yourself between sets.

The right workout underwear should provide support, freedom of movement, and enough comfort that you barely think about it once your workout starts.

And one of the best options might be a style you haven't considered.

The jockstrap.

Yes, seriously.

What Makes Good Workout Underwear?

Think about how much your body moves at the gym.

Squats. Lunges. Running. Cycling. Leg presses. Deadlifts. Stretching.

Your underwear has to move through all of that with you.

Good gym underwear should keep everything supported without restricting your legs. It should stay in place, avoid unnecessary bunching, and feel lightweight underneath your workout clothes.

Most importantly, you shouldn't have to keep stopping your workout to adjust it.

Boxer Briefs: The Familiar Choice

There's a reason boxer briefs are one of the most common underwear styles at the gym.

They provide coverage and support, and a good performance boxer brief can work perfectly well for working out.

The downside is all that extra fabric.

During squats, running, or other exercises involving a lot of leg movement, the legs of boxer briefs can sometimes start creeping upward.

If you've ever finished a set and immediately reached underneath your shorts to pull your underwear back down, you know exactly what we're talking about.

For some guys, boxer briefs work beautifully.

For others, the extra fabric is exactly what makes them annoying.

Briefs: Simple and Underrated

Briefs solve the leg problem immediately.

There's no fabric extending down your thighs, which means your legs have more freedom to move.

You still get front and back coverage along with the support you'd expect from traditional underwear.

Briefs can be particularly comfortable for leg day, cycling, running, and workouts involving a lot of lower-body movement.

Sometimes the simplest solution works.

You Might Be Shocked by How Comfortable a Jockstrap Is

Now let's talk about the jockstrap.

If you've never worn one to the gym, you might be surprised by how much sense the design makes once you actually start moving.

Jockstraps were originally designed for physical activity.

You get a supportive pouch in the front, while two straps run underneath the buttocks to keep everything securely positioned.

There's no fabric around your thighs.

There's no full back panel.

There's almost nothing available to bunch underneath your workout shorts.

That combination can feel incredibly freeing during a workout.

Why Jockstraps Work So Well at the Gym

The biggest advantage is freedom of movement.

Squat. Lunge. Run. Stretch.

There's no boxer brief leg pulling against your thigh or gradually working its way upward.

There's also considerably less fabric underneath your workout clothes, which can feel especially nice once you start getting hot.

But you're not giving up support.

That's what makes a jockstrap different from simply going without underwear. The pouch still keeps everything securely positioned while the rest of the design stays minimal.

Support in the front. Freedom everywhere else.

It's a simple concept, but it works.

Aren't Jockstraps Uncomfortable?

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about them.

If you've never worn a jockstrap, the straps might look like they'd feel strange.

And the first time you put one on, you'll probably notice that it feels different.

Different doesn't mean uncomfortable.

A properly fitting jockstrap made from soft, stretchy material can become surprisingly easy to forget about once you start moving.

The straps should sit underneath your buttocks without digging in. The waistband should feel secure without squeezing you. And the pouch should provide support without crushing everything against your body.

Get the fit right and you might finish your workout wondering why you've been fighting with bunching boxer briefs for years.

What About Thongs for Working Out?

Here's another option some guys might not expect.

A men's thong can also work surprisingly well underneath gym clothes.

Like a jockstrap, there's no fabric extending down your thighs. That means nothing around your legs can ride up during squats or running.

There's also very little material underneath your shorts.

The main difference is the back.

A thong has a narrow section of fabric through the center, while a jockstrap leaves the center open and uses two straps underneath the buttocks.

Which one feels better is completely personal.

Some guys barely notice a thong once they're accustomed to it. Others prefer the open feeling of a jockstrap while exercising.

There's no reason you can't try both.

Fabric Matters

Whatever underwear style you choose, pay attention to the material.

You're going to sweat at the gym.

Lightweight fabrics with stretch can feel much better during movement than heavy, rigid materials.

Nylon and polyamide blends with elastane or spandex can provide a smooth feel while stretching with your body.

The goal is something soft, flexible, and comfortable enough to move with you instead of fighting against you.

Leg Day Is the Ultimate Underwear Test

Want to know whether your workout underwear actually works?

Wear it on leg day.

Squats expose pretty much everything that's wrong with a pair of underwear.

Too tight? You'll know.

Not enough stretch? You'll know.

Leg openings digging into your thighs? You'll definitely know.

Underwear riding up? Give it three sets.

This is where briefs and jockstraps can really shine.

Removing fabric from around your thighs gives your legs more freedom to move, which can make a noticeable difference during lower-body workouts.

What About Short Gym Shorts?

If you like shorter workout shorts, underwear length becomes even more important.

Long boxer briefs can sometimes extend below the bottom of your shorts, especially when you're sitting or squatting.

Briefs, thongs, and jockstraps eliminate that problem completely.

You still get support without having to worry about several inches of underwear making an unexpected appearance.

Stop Assuming More Fabric Means More Support

More coverage doesn't automatically mean more support.

Support comes largely from fit and pouch construction.

That's why a jockstrap can use dramatically less fabric than boxer briefs while still keeping everything securely positioned.

You don't necessarily need fabric covering your butt and half your thighs to feel supported during a workout.

Sometimes you're just wearing that extra material because it's what you're used to.

Your Gym Underwear Can Look Good Too

There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good at the gym.

You chose shorts you like.

You probably chose a shirt that fits the way you want.

Your underwear doesn't suddenly have to become boring just because you're exercising.

A fitted brief, thong, or jockstrap can be functional, comfortable, and sexy at the same time.

If putting on something you feel good in gives you a little extra motivation to get yourself to the gym, we'll take it.