Underwear

Increased comfort for your most sensitive area

Underwear is the one piece of clothing that’ll be closest to the most delicate part of your body when you’re working out, so why not spend some time choosing the right ones.

Thongs

Some women cringe at the though of having a strip of material wedged up their backside, but others can’t imagine life without thongs. If you’re not used to wearing them look for a pair that fits snug but not tight, is pre-shrunk and made of a microfiber material so it’s less likely you’ll feel uncomfortable.

Briefs

Briefs, although the most traditional choice in women’s undergarments, require careful consideration when being worn for workouts. Boy briefs are great, as long as they don’t have a faux front opening that’ll show through fitted yoga pants. And beware of too-tight leg openings on full coverage briefs because they can be uncomfortable when you’re moving around a lot.

Bikini

There are two issues you’ll have to deal with when it comes to bikini-style underwear. Because there is less coverage in the back, if the panties are too tight you risk the dreaded double-butt (the elastic in the butt area creates a visible line on each butt cheek, making it look like you have four cheeks). And if they’re too loose, well…if there’s one thing worse than having a skinny strip of material up your butt, it’s having an entire bikini up there.

Boy shorts

If you’re looking for full coverage in the back and want to avoid panty lines without resorting to thongs, boy shorts may be the answer. This underwear often has coverage that extends down the leg, so there are no worries about wedgies.

What to look for in workout underwear

• Down-there care - If you’re sensitive down there it might be best to avoid synthetic underwear altogether, although high tech fitness fabrics (such as a nylon/spandex mix) have been garnering recent praise form gynecologists for their sweat-wicking and chafe-minimizing abilities. Lace is a definite no-no.
• Tagless - Tags can really irritate, even when you cut them off as close as you can. Tagless underwear is a must, which is why many brands now offer stitched-in labels and care directions.
•  Seamless - Look for underwear that’s seamless so lines don’t show and chafing it kept to a minimum.
• Stretchy - A little bit of spandex is a good thing, especially in underwear. Without it your pair might end up sagging in the rear or becoming permanently misshapen.
• Odor controlling - Antimicrobial treatments can control odors and prevent bacteria growth.