Gym Underthings
Ooooh la laโฆ.
One of the frequently-asked questions when I post workout pics or a video:
How do you avoid panty lines?
So the secret, friends, is the picture above! Feel free to sing that Sisqo song, even though I was, like, 5 when that came out.
The answer is thong underwear. If youโre not a fan, you might not be wearing the right type or size, but for workouts, I tend to stay away from the pure cotton or lacy variety and have two drawers: one fancy/nice and the other for workout/comfy. I used to keep them mixed together but after the great silly-bow-sticking-outta-my-pants incident of 2008 (it was a gift, it was also 2007), I realized that some things in life are not multipurpose.
Here are some faves for workouts:
The lululemon Light as Air thong (above). At $16, theyโre kind of pricey for what they are (as is everything at lulu) but the quality is great and like the name suggests, feels like youโre wearing nothing at all
VS No Show Sport Panty ($12.50 or 3 for $33). For the comfort and fabric, these are a great deal. Bonus: they come in cute colors, too.
Favorite sports bras:
lululemon Flow Y bra ($42). This is my favorite โeverythingโ bra. Perfect for weights, yoga, light/moderate cardio, teaching, lounging, sleeping, everything. Itโs seamless with stretchy, comfy fabric. It also manages to escape the uniboob look that many sports bras create so beautifully.
Champion Smoothie Bra ($38). This is now my go-to sprinting and race bra. The straps are so comfy and can easily be switched to a racerback, the cups are soft and SUPER supportive- keeps the girls in place.
So spill, friends: what do you wear under your workout gear? Any faves? Thongs or nay?
Iโm excited to read your answers!
xoxo
Gina
Gifts to buy yourself this season:
-My friend Lacey Stone (she trained me once, and killed me) launched her fitness app.
-The lovely MizFit (a mom and fitness inspiration to me) came out with an eBook!
-and the long-awaited Pop Pilates DVD is out <3 Lots of awesome stuff.
Surprise:
In the style of 26 random acts of kindness, congrats to Avery G. (check your email, lovely!) โ Iโll be sending a custom batch of macaroons next week as a little way to say thank you for reading. This is random act #1, in memory of Charlotte Bacon, 6 years old. Join the revolution here <3
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I have never considered wearing (or even buying) thong work out undies. I have a few pairs of regular thongs for when I need to wear them โ but I just donโt like wearing them that muchโฆever.
I have a couple of pairs of workout undies that are not cotton. I canโt wear cotton underwear when working out โ it just rubs me the wrong way (ha!). I donโt really care if I have panty lines โ I havenโt even checked in the mirror to see if I do have them..opps?
Rebecca I am soooo right there with you! I really donโt like thongsโฆat all. I just feelโฆuncomfortable? Iโm not sure.. just donโt like them. So I stick to m victoria secrets lace and cotton undies.
And sometimes I wonder, as I am running on the treadmill facing the window with lines of people behind me staring in that same general direction, whether I have really obvious panty lines. But then my speed interval kicks in and I am so focused I completely forget the thought.
And if Iโm not thinking about it, no on else is! Right? Ha, it is like the lie we told ourselves as kids โIf I close my eyes, no one can see me.โ ๐
A thong while working out sounds like madness to me! Hahaha. I donโt wear anything. I thought thatโs why shorts come with the built-ins? And if Iโm out running in the cold in my tights, I donโt really care about panty lines. As for bras โ this has become an issue since I started breastfeeding. I used to be able to wear whatever, but now I need more support. I have some Lulu tanks and bras and they are great despite the $$$.
Maybe Iโm old school but the thought of leaving the house without ANY underwear on seems kind of gross to me. Not judging, just had NO idea so many of you worked out without underwear. Moving on, I wear a thong because I also would feel like I had a diaper on trying to workout with full underwear on. To each his own I guess. And lastly, whoever could spin Ginaโs post about comfy underwear to workout in into a debate have waaaayy too much time on their handsโฆ.
I think everyone should do the 26 random acts of kindnessโฆ This world needs it!
agree <3
Have you ever tried the brand commando for thongs? They are a little pricey too, but they are seamless and so comfy!
no, iโve never heard of them! will check it out ๐
I workout commandoโฆTMI? If I do decide to wear something underneath my shorts/tights, it is definitely a thong. Too much bunching with briefs. As for sports bras, I have yet to find a bra that doesnt need to be doubled up to fully support the girls.
Exactly. I really donโt understand why people think going commando under workout clothes is grossโฆthatโs kind of the point, right? Thatโs why they put hygienic liners in most workout clothes! Plus, I think itโs WAY more gross to be constantly picking at underwear that are bunching, sagging and riding up!!
agreed!
Luluโs Ta Ta Tamer is the only sports bra I found that can support my ladies fully. Totally worth the money ๐
I love the 26 acts of kindness idea! Thanks for passing it on. I will be participating now, too! <3
Commando is the only way to go! ๐ Love this topic Gina
I have tried many types of undies for working out and I too have a separate drawer for workout stuff including my workout undies. I have a few different Lululemon style thongs and I find some of them sit too low for my liking and donโt feel comfortable. I have some cheap cotton ones that I usually wear. Iโve also tried some Lulu full-backs that arenโt supposed to show the lines, but they arenโt comfortable.
For bras, I had to buy the Ta-Ta Tamer from Lulu when I had my son in August. Iโm breastfeeding and needed the extra support. I can run in that sucker with milk-filled boobs and it holds the ladies in tight with no flopping. You can switch the straps to racer-back, which is how I wear it all the time since all my tanks are racer-back.
I wear thongs every day and also for working out. They are so comfortable to me. Once you have worn them for a while, itโs hard to wear regular underwear. To not wear anything under pants just seems icky to me. Also, depending on the workout, I may wear the pants more than once and IMO you could not do that if you didnโt wear something underneath them. I donโt spend a lot on my undies though. I usually get Maidenform on sale at Kohlโs and just wear whatever I grab.
The only thing that offends me about this post is that you made me feel old when you said you were 5 when the Thong Song came out. I was in collegeโฆand old enough to drink! Gah!
But really, I havenโt figured out my undies situation yet. Nothing seems comfy to me! Iโll try the thong thing. ๐
i was in high school! i just said i was 5 because i thought everyone would be able to tell i was joking haha
When I read โ5โ I was slightly distressedโฆIโm 28 so I was in high school (and on Spring Break the first time I heard that song). Anyway, I was thinking, โplease tell me sheโs joking, and how old is sheeeee!? 5?!โ Hahahaโฆglad to know my irrational fit of feeling old was just thatโฆirrational ๐
I totally had to look up the year that song came out! I was like no way!!! LOL.. I was 19 when it came out.. and I know yo are younger.. but I did not think you were that much younger! ๐
Thongs all the way, my friends. Wear them to the gym, to yoga, even when Iโm riding my horse. Iโve been wearing them for years though โ my riding coach had me in thongs to prevent visible underwear lines through my breeches. Hanky Panky makes my favourites โ theyโre costly, but worth it.
Hi fellow horseback rider! I always wear boyshorts to prevent underwear lines in my breeches. Also, I wear breeches that are like two sizes too big so they are pretty baggy (I hate riding in tight clothesโฆweird I know).
Thank you for sharing the 26 random acts of kindness link. All those ways that people are showing their love and appreciation for one another is amazing! ๐
Thanks Gina, what bras did you find offered the most support while breastfeeding?
BTW, I dont seee anything wrong with wanting to look good in work out clothes. Everyone wants to be the girl in the gym that looks hot! ๐
Being โthe girl in the gym that looks hotโ is the least of my concernsโฆ
i wore a tank with a shelf bra in it, and a sports bra OVER that. sounds totally weird, but it worked for me!
Kind of off topic from this post but would you consider doing a review of the Pop Pilates DVD? Would love to know your thoughts about it before purchasing ๐ Love your blog!
The only beef I have with this post is that Gina has a better butt than me ๐ Write on, Gina! Great post!
Iโm super late to the game here, but I used to wear thongs to the gym for years. (I had a drawer of โworkout thongsโ from target and a drawer of โreal thongsโ from VS or wherever.) But then I spent a year abroad at the end of college in a VERY VERY dry environment and (total TMI here) dry environments + excessive sweating = chafing in areas that are very sad to have chafing. So, I just stopped wearing underwear. All and all it feels about the same, just less adjusting ๐
Also, this is a totally okay topic. People who have issues with this clearly have other insecurities. Its nice to be able to talk to other women/fitnessistas about stuff like this. Who else are you going to talk to about it??
Always thongs for working out or just every day wear. I hate panty lines! I wear full bottomed underwear to bed at night and that is the only time. I think thongs are the comfiest things ever lol
When I want to prevent panty lines, I wear boy shorts. But for working out, I usually go commando (if Iโm wearing running shorts with built ins) or just wear whatever underwear Iโm wearing that day. It also depends on what Iโm doing. If Iโm running or doing cardio, I want something that wonโt chaff (spelling?) but if Iโm just lifting weights, underwear doesnโt matter too much to me.
I have yet to find a sports bra that isnโt supportive enough. I donโt feel like I have ginormous boobs where I should have a problem. But I do. Whenever I do jumping jacks or running, I feel like a bimbo! Ugh! ๐
I was a C(+) before pregnancy and as a nursing mama I am a D โ maybe a DD. OUCH!
So, I double up on the sports bra (the Moving Comfort Fiona is $$$ but can be used as a nursing bra!) and yes, I too am a thong-tha-thong-thong-thong girl.
Thongs always give me UTIs, and Iโd rather sport a panty line than a camel toeโฆ so briefs it is! ๐ I always thought my sister & mom were so odd for sleeping in thongs and then complaining about chronic UTIs, seems like a clear connection to me.
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing the 26 acts idea. As a new mom, too, the Newtown tragedy hit me hard, and one layer of the mourning was helplessness. Already, my first 7 acts have helped me feel like I am in control, and not the fear or grief that resulted from that devastating loss. There is still good left, and we can all be a part of it!
Iโll never understand why ladies worry about panty lines and camel toes.