Shorts Or Joggers – What’s Best For Exercise
The answer to this has so many dependables – the type of exercise, the weather, cost, or breathability. But, one consideration trumps them all: personal preference.
Exercise shouldn’t be a fashion show; however, wearing what you feel comfortable in (in terms of both physical and confidence) is the most impactful decision if you should wear joggers/sweatpants or shorts. Regardless if it’s leg day, cold or hot – if you have a strong preference, it will increase your ability far more than any other factor.
However, if you don’t have a preference or aren’t totally against wearing one or the other, there is a time best suited for shorts or joggers/sweatpants. Below we explain.
Should You Do Leg-Day In Shorts Or Joggers/ Sweatpants
Shorts are recommended for leg days due to their increased mobility around the glutes, allowing you to bend, extend and raise your legs – without fearing they rip and show everyone a little bit too much!
To make the best decision, consider how far your legs are likely to have to stretch. If you can’t reach comfortably in joggers, use shorts; else, make the decision based on the weather and the breathability of your legs.
However, it isn’t a one shoe fits all – leg day isn’t necessarily machines and weights. Instead, it can be sports, in which case joggers/sweatpants could be a better option.
It all depends on the extent to which your legs bend before the fabric begins to rip. Sometimes, joggers (similar to leggings) can stretch further than shorts. So, the final answer? Pick out whatever is most stretchy in your wardrobe for leg day!
Side note: leg day can make your bum sweat and reveal’ the dreaded outline.’ Light colors reveal more than darker ones. So sometimes, you may have to prioritize the color over what you wear.
Are Joggers/Sweatpants Better For Gym Than Shorts
(For upper body) Most individuals’ train of thought follows something like: I’m training upper body, so my legs won’t have to stretch that far, so I can wear joggers/sweatpants. This isn’t false; however, there are a few more considerations that may change your mind.
- Shorts are more breathable than joggers, allowing more air to diffuse into your skin and cool you down. Some joggers, especially thick cotton ones, trap air and do not let any more come in. This can result in excessive sweating and lead to dehydration.
- Joggers are more expensive than shorts. So if you’re designing your gym wardrobe on a budget – stick to shorts.
- Shorts are portable and light enough that you can carry them in your gym bag without noticing they’re there.
So are joggers/sweatpants better? Well, they keep you warmer, but that’s about it. However, despite the continuous advantages of shorts, we still choose to wear joggers. They look cooler, and the sweat you put on makes you feel productive (as long as you stay hydrated!)
This is why we recommend you give both a go. The textbook will almost always say shorts, but as mentioned above, you should wear what you feel comfortable in – and you won’t know until you try.
Should You Run In Joggers Or Shorts
This highly depends on the weather; we aren’t going to advise running in shorts in artic temperatures because of the better mobility it offers. Instead, we must look into different situations and when either is beneficial.
Hot, sunny conditions? Wear shorts to run. Freezing, icy conditions? Wear joggers/sweatpants to run. However, if it is somewhere in the middle, combine both by wearing shorts on top of a leg base layer. The leg base layer provides the warmth of the joggers but is an extremely flexible, breathable material, and the shorts… well, nobody tends to wear leg base layers without anything over.
In most cases, whatever you think you should wear is adequate; and you should just go for the run rather than worrying about wearing the best gear.
Will Wearing Joggers Help You Lose Weight
In our minds, we picture someone in joggers/sweatpants and a hoodie when they are trying to lose weight. How effective is this exactly?
The truth is that using joggers/sweatpants to exercise won’t burn any more calories than wearing shorts. The only significant impact it has is a larger water loss, so further dehydration. As it doesn’t burn any more calories, you’ll lose weight at the exact same rate if you wear shorts and a t-shirt.
Click here to read about the experiment. Contrary to the hypothesis, findings show no significant differences in perceived effort, temperature, calories burned, or heart rate under conditions of increased heat retention (wearing joggers and a hoodie.)
What Are The Best Gym Shorts and Joggers/Sweatpants
Stuck for inspiration? Here are some of the best fitness brands that provide quality and comfortable bottom wear:
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