Finding the right pair of men’s gym shorts sounds simple enough. Most guys just want a pair that they can sweat in and forget about. But with gym clothing growing more innovative and activity-specific, there are a lot of variables to consider when buying a new pair, like liners, inseam lengths, and moisture-wicking technology. There’s no one universal pair for everyone, of course, but after testing dozens over the past few years, it became clear to me that a few key features set the standard for the very best gym shorts. I also spoke to personal trainers, athletes, and active folks to find out their favorite pairs for each activity.
A gym short’s material is the most important thing to look for when choosing a new pair. Gym shorts are made to move and sweat in, so we’re looking for fabrics that can stretch well and wick moisture efficiently, thus keeping you comfortable and dry. A blend of polyester, nylon, and spandex is the most common combo. We also paid attention to the exterior fabric, and how their durability stood up to our experts’ most intense workouts.
Our picks and my personal favorites come with built-in liners, which generally provide more support and help with wicking sweat off the skin. Some pairs offer a snug, compression-short feel, while others have a liner that feels more like a pair of active underwear. We understand that some guys might prefer the comfort and freedom of an unlined pair, and we noted where those options are available below.
A short’s inseam can affect your workout experience. A shorter short has more potential to bunch and rise up in the thigh, while the fabric on a longer inseam can restrict movement. While it ultimately comes down to preference and your height, our experts recommended their favorite inseams for specific activities below.
Material: Polyester and spandex | Lining options: Lined or unlined | Inseam length: 5 inches, 7 inches or 9 inches
These seven-inch-inseam Ten Thousand Interval shorts come as close as you can get to quiver-of-one gym shorts. In the four years that I’ve been testing the Intervals, I’ve worn them not only for workouts and runs, but also for summer hikes and beach trips, and they show no signs of wear. For those reasons — and the wide size range, from XS to XXL — I think the Intervals is among the best investments you can make when it comes to gym apparel.
Shorts with a seven-inch inseam are the most popular among the guys we spoke to, with eight telling us they exercise in this style, but the Intervals also come in two other inseam lengths: five- and nine-inch. (Five-inch shorts are the second-most-popular length with the guys we spoke to.) They come recommended by personal trainer Ariel Brill and multisport athlete Nik Karbelnikoff. Brill loves the lightweight stretch fabric of the Interval short, which he says would be great for any sort of heavy lifting at the gym. Karbelnikoff likes that these shorts are tough enough for CrossFit and gym workouts but also have the mobility and comfort needed for a six-mile run. “They are my go-to shorts, no matter what I’m training for. The liners never ride up, and I love having pockets for everyday use,” he says. But if you prefer to skip the built-in liner, they’re also available without it.
Material: Polyester and spandex | Lining options: Lined or unlined | Inseam length: 3 inches, 5 inches, 7 inches, or 9 inches
This pair of five-inch gym shorts has all the features of a premium pair of gym shorts (a stretchy fabric, supportive liner, and a small zippered back pocket) at a more affordable price. It comes recommended by personal trainer Andrew Flores, who says the shorts have been his “go-to for the last six months when I practice Muay Thai or boxing.” Describing the feel, Flores says they have a “great stretch to them, meaning you can perform exercises in all planes of motion without obstruction.” And from a fashion perspective, he says they also “go well with a long-sleeved tee for that post-workout run to the store.” Target also offers these in an unlined version with a seven-inch inseam.
Material: Polyester and elastane | Lining options: Lined or unlined | Inseam length: 5 inches, 7 inches, or 9 inches
The Pace Breaker short is a Strategist staff favorite, as well as a favorite among stylish men we’ve spoken with over the years. “These shorts have been my go-to for a long time,” says Ralph Lauren creative producer Yale Breslin. Like other Lululemon acolytes, he says the Vancouver-based brand has “mastered fit, simplicity, and technology” in creating this unlined pair, which he calls the ultimate gym shorts. Their five-inch inseam, according to him, is not too long and not too short, making these ideal for his at-home HIIT, yoga, and boot-camp workouts. A smaller detail he appreciates is that the shorts have minimal branding. Lululemon also offers the short in lined seven- or nine-inch lengths. Chris Keyloun, a senior CrossFit coach at CrossFit Union Square, likes the seven-inch version, noting how its zippered pocket comes in handy during workouts. “It will hold your phone securely in place whether you’re rowing a 6K or sprinting a 2K,” he says. Matt Jared, co-founder of the yoga-and-meditation nonprofit United We Om, is yet another Lululemon Pace Breaker fan, but he prefers the slightly longer nine-inch version. “I wear these shorts when I teach yoga because the fit is loose and relaxed, but they stay in place and don’t pinch no matter what shape I find myself in during class,” he says.
Material: Polyester | Lining options: Unlined | Inseam length: 5 inches
I throw on these simple Uniqlo shorts for pretty much every workout I do (except running), and they’ve been my most-used gym shorts in recent months.
What I like most is their material, which features Uniqlo’s Ultra Stretch fabric. They look more like a pair of cotton shorts, and you couldn’t tell they stretch just by looking at them. They hold their shape and don’t look loose or drape weirdly over my legs like other shorts made of a stretchy material. They felt supremely light and airy on a recent humid 80-degree day in North Carolina spent playing tennis and walking around town. Plus, they have two mesh pockets and a back zip-up pocket, and they’re simple enough to wear with other casual non-workout outfits. I like that they don’t have any glaring logos or branding.
For 30 bucks, they’re a steal. The only reason they’re not my pick for best less expensive overall gym short is because they’re only available in a five-inch inseam and unlined, whereas the Target and Lululemon pairs offer more options.
I use the Ultra Stretch shorts for weight lifting, yoga, and tennis — they’re super versatile.
Photo-Illustration: Jeremy Rellosa
Material: Nylon | Lining options: Unlined | Inseam length: 8 inches
I’d been looking for gym shorts that didn’t scream “athleisure,” a pair that I could also wear with more casual outfits outside of the gym. I landed on these Umbro shorts after I spotted three of my softball teammates wearing them. The nylon construction barely stretches, except for the waistband, so I don’t use them for anything that requires dynamic movement (although Umbro is a classic soccer brand). But they have a subtly shiny checkered pattern that elevates them from just being a plain black pair of gym shorts.
Material: Nylon, elastane, polyester, and spandex | Lining options: Lined | Inseam length: 5 inches or 7 inches
Boston-based running brand Tracksmith makes some of the most stylish and unfussy active apparel available today, and its Session shorts are no exception. The Session shorts feel most at home during runs, of course, but they work just as well for sweaty, aerobic gym sessions. I’ve been running in both the five- and seven-inch versions of the Session since 2019 for daily training. While these shorts have held up for countless miles, I also reach for them on rest days. The Session shorts have a buttery-soft texture and feel equally as good on the run as they do while relaxing. Drew Westphal, who works in digital marketing, says he has also worn these lined shorts to do yoga, Pilates, and “a lot of stretching at home to help my golf game.” While they’ve been comfortable for all of his workouts, Westphal says the real appeal of the shorts may be their lesser-known branding and interesting colors, which range from “espresso” (dark brown) to “forest” (dark green) to “wine” (dark red). They’re also available in a five-inch inseam.
Photo: retailer
Material: Polyester, nylon, and spandex | Lining options: Lined or unlined | Inseam length: 5 inches or 7 inches
This unlined Nike pair with a five-inch inseam can be used not only for running but for all types of sweat sessions. Given that the Flex Strides come in 14 different sizes (XS to 4XL Tall), a seven-inch inseam, and a lined version as well, we think they’re a worthy contender for your next go-to pair of workout shorts, especially for the price.
They came recommended to us by personal trainer Chris Legitime of LegitFitNYC and Jackson Howard, an editor at publishing house Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Even without a lining, Legitime says the shorts still feel secure around the hip, but the lack of a liner means they’re “not tight on the groin or quads, making them super-breathable and flexible for hip movements,” he explains. While Legitime says he’s not so interested in how shorts look, Howard adds that these lightweight shorts do have some aesthetic benefits too. “They make my butt look really good,” he says. He wears his pair — which he has had for more than two years — for running, yoga, or just hanging around the house. The shorts also have four pockets: one zippered back pocket, two on the side, and a liner drop-in pocket.
Material: Nylon, lycra | Lining options: Lined | Inseam length: 5 inches or 4 inches
I previously had written about the Ciele DLY as my favorite pair of running shorts with a long liner, but these five-inch-inseam shorts from Bandit are my new favorite after testing them for eight months. What sets them apart from other shorts is their fabric. I’m guilty of describing lots of tech fabrics as having a “silky” feel, and the Litewave certainly fits that description, but they’re much more breathable than other shorts that are similarly smooth.
Unlike most lined running shorts, which have a brief liner, the Litewave shorts have a longer, boxer-brief-style liner that doesn’t bunch up or give me a wedgie. These shorts have a zippered back pocket plus a hidden phone pocket on the thigh. The Litewave’s liner fits me a bit looser than a pair of running half-tights would, so keep that in mind if you like a more compressed feel — or want a more secure pocket for your phone (my phone still jostles around in the thigh pocket). They’re also available in a shorter, four-inch inseam.
Material: Nylon, elastane, and polyester | Lining options: Unlined | Inseam length: 6 inches
A pair of unlined running shorts might sound like an oxymoron, but if you like to run with a pair of compression briefs or tights, lined shorts on top of that layer will likely be too bulky and uncomfortable. I’ve long been a fan of Tracksmith’s Bislett pants, which have a stretchy, water-resistant fabric, and these shorts feature the same fabric and side-seam pocket for a phone or keys. I’ve been testing them for the past three months, and I like how tough they are, especially in inclement weather. Wearing them on top of running tights feels like wearing a soft shell jacket — it’s a light, protective layer for rain and sleet, which bead on the fabric.
Material: Nylon, elastane, polyester, and spandex | Lining options: Lined | Inseam length: 7 inches or 9 inches
Almost all of the gym shorts on this list are available lined, but I think Saxx offers the most supportive liner. (That support comes from the same technology used in the brand’s underwear and boxer briefs, both of which I’ve written about.) “These are my go-to training shorts whether I’m working out at the gym or at home,” says Sean Sewell, a personal trainer who runs the gear-review site Engearment and the online fitness program Mountain Fitness School. Sewell owns “three or four pairs” of the Kinetic Train shorts from Saxx, which have since been discontinued — but these newer Gainmakers offer the same compression and fit as their predecessors. “They’re more expensive, but you’re getting a semi-compression short and a high-quality Lululemon-type gym short,” he explains. Sewell’s favorite part of Saxx shorts is the signature “Ballpark Pouch” liner, which he says “keeps everything in place and provides support.” Saxx also makes a seven-inch version, which some may prefer, but he thinks the nine-inch length “is really comfortable for most men, especially taller men.” If a comfortable, supportive liner is your first priority in gym shorts, then you should consider this pair.
Material: Polyester | Lining options: Lined | Inseam length: 5 inches or 7 inches
I’ve frequently worn the five-inch High Stride for short runs and gym sessions since 2021, and I like that the liner doesn’t feel too tight or restrictive yet still provides support. Outdoor Voices has added pockets to its latest version of the High Stride.
Copywriter Jon Roth is also a fan of Outdoor Voices’ five-inch gym shorts. “Since I mostly hate exercise, finding cool workout clothes has been a good motivator,” he told us. “These are cut high enough to show some thigh but also lined so nothing else shows.” Outdoor Voices has made slight tweaks to the shorts since Roth purchased them (like the addition of pockets), but the brand told us that the newest style — which comes in several colors — is very similar to Roth’s pair and, of course, has the same inseam length.
Material: Polyester and elastane | Lining options: Lined | Inseam length: 7.5 inches
I like the Kore shorts’ impressive stretch, which makes them ideal for activities like yoga and climbing. “Vuori makes some of the most comfortable and durable gym shorts,” according to Brill, who likes the versatility of this pair (which is lined) and says it would be great for any “sport or outdoor activity.” Tim Senesi of the popular YouTube channel Yoga With Tim is also a fan of Vuori and told us its shorts are among his favorites for yoga. “I love anything that fits comfortably and is not too loud of flashy,” says Senesi. The Kore’s liner is less compressive than those of other pairs on this list, so we recommend it for more relaxed workouts.
Material: Nylon | Lining options: Lined | Inseam length: 5 inches or 7 inches
Baggies are a perennial favorite at the Strategist. Besides all the other scenarios that we’ve described them as being perfect for — lounging, swimming, or everyday wear — these shorts feel right at home at the climbing gym. I’ve been climbing in Baggies since 2015, and they’ve been one of my most-used pairs of outdoor bottoms since. When wearing a harness, I prefer climbing in my seven-inch-inseam pair; I’ve found that the five-inch-inseam version is prone to bunching up near the groin. They’re made from a durable nylon that stands up to the random bursts of movement one does while climbing: scrapes against the wall, weird stretches in awkward positions, and falls on the mat. That burly construction makes it easy to brush off chalk, too, unlike a knit fabric or a fabric with a looser weave.
• Yale Breslin, Ralph Lauren creative producer
• Ariel Brill, personal trainer
• Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer
• Andrew Flores, personal trainer
• Jackson Howard, editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• Matt Jared, United We Om co-founder
• Chris Keyloun, senior CrossFit coach
• Nik Karbelnikoff, multisport athlete
• Chris Legitime, personal trainer at LegitFitNYC
• Jon Roth, copywriter
• Tim Senesi, yoga teacher, Yoga With Tim
• Sean Sewell, personal trainer, owner of Engearment and Mountain Fitness School
• Drew Westphal, digital marketer and yoga practitioner
Additional reporting by Liza Corsillo, Maura Kutner Walters, and David Notis.
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Dancing, especially with other people, can effectively reduce stress (Miljan Zivkovic/Shutterstock)
GUILFORD, England — Feeling stressed? Instead of hitting the gym, maybe you should hit the dance floor. Chronic stress wreaks havoc on our bodies and minds, and for years, experts have been telling us to exercise as a remedy. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend hours on the treadmill. A new international study shows that dancing can help manage stress, strengthen resilience, and improve overall well-being.
Sports psychologists have been documenting the benefits of physical activity for decades, leading to countless recommendations about getting active to cope with stress. But here’s what’s been missing from the conversation: not all forms of exercise affect us the same way when it comes to taming our stress response.
A new study published in Psychology of Sport & Exercise tackles this knowledge gap by zeroing in on dance, an activity that seems to have special powers when it comes to stress relief. Researchers from several European universities collaborated across disciplines to examine why dancing might deserve special attention in our stress-fighting toolkit.
Previous research has hinted that dance activities might be particularly good at softening the blow of stress, with some researchers informally calling it a “stress vaccine.” But this new review is the first comprehensive look at what makes dance so effective, bringing together insights from psychology, neurobiology, and anthropology.
What makes dance stand out? It’s not just another way to move your body. Dancing weaves together music, rhythm, social connection, and physical movement to create what might be the perfect recipe for stress relief.
The researchers organized their investigation around these key components: the music and rhythm that drive the dance, the partnering and social aspects of dancing with others, and the physical movement itself. Each element contributes to stress regulation on its own, but combined in dance, they create something greater than the sum of their parts.
Music itself works wonders on our stress levels. The review found plenty of evidence that just listening to music can lower anxiety and help people relax. When we hear music, our brain’s reward system kicks into gear, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins while potentially dialing down cortisol, our body’s main stress hormone.
One fascinating study discovered that dancing to “groovy” music produces a state of flow, that wonderful feeling of being completely absorbed in what you’re doing, which didn’t happen when people merely listened to the same music without dancing.
Brain research shows that music lights up the circuits involved in pleasure and reward, while also activating areas that regulate our body’s balance and stress response. Our love of rhythm might even have evolutionary roots, potentially serving as an ancient mechanism that fostered cooperation and social connections among our ancestors.
Dancing with someone else adds another layer of stress-busting power. The review notes that dancing with a partner or in a group seems more beneficial than dancing solo. Social support and physical contact can notably reduce our physiological stress response. Touch, especially, helps buffer stress by triggering pathways in the brain that release oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone,” along with endorphins.
Looking at dance through an anthropological lens shows how it has historically brought people together, building social bonds and expressing emotions collectively. Across cultures, dance creates shared spaces for healing and developing group coping strategies. When people move in sync while dancing, it fosters a sense of unity and connection that can be comforting during tough times.
Dance’s physical movement works against stress much like other exercises do but with some particular advantages. All physical activity boosts endorphins and dopamine, helps regulate stress hormones, and promotes overall health. But dance movement, with its rhythmical quality, seems to offer something extra.
One study found that dance training improved cortisol regulation in older adults more effectively than regular aerobic exercise, even though only the aerobic exercise group showed improved fitness. This suggests that dance affects our stress-response system through more than just physical conditioning.
The evidence suggests dance deserves special consideration as a stress-management tool. Its combination of features works on multiple levels simultaneously: reducing isolating feelings, building resources like self-esteem and social support, potentially dampening our immediate stress reactions, and boosting overall well-being.
This doesn’t mean you should ditch your regular workout routine if it’s working for you. But adding some form of dance, whether it’s a structured class, social dancing, or just moving to music at home, might give you stress-fighting benefits that other exercises can’t match.
The researchers initially attempted a systematic literature review on dance and stress but found limited studies directly examining this relationship. They pivoted to a narrative review approach, incorporating research from psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology. Their team organized findings into three main categories: music and rhythm; partnering and social contact; and movement and physical activity. For each section, they presented evidence from psychological studies, neurobiological research, and socio-cultural perspectives.
The review revealed that music activates the brain’s reward system while potentially lowering stress hormones. When combined with movement in dance, it creates unique states like “flow” that aren’t achieved through listening alone. Studies showed dancing with partners produces more positive effects than solo exercise, with synchronization promoting feelings of connection. The physical aspect of dance contributes to stress regulation through multiple pathways, including boosting endorphins and improving overall health. Notably, dance training improved cortisol regulation better than traditional aerobic exercise, suggesting benefits beyond mere fitness improvements.
The authors acknowledge several constraints. Few studies directly examine recreational dance and stress, forcing them to broaden their approach. Their narrative review methodology lacks the systematic rigor that would minimize selection bias. They couldn’t address all relevant dance characteristics, omitting factors like communication, body awareness, and emotional expression. “Dance” encompasses many styles from structured routines to spontaneous movement, a complexity they couldn’t fully explore. Finally, it’s difficult to isolate which specific components (music, social contact, or movement) drive particular benefits.
The researchers emphasize this review provides a first step toward understanding the complex relationship between dance and stress regulation. They argue dance uniquely integrates mind, body, and cultural elements, making it particularly effective for building coping skills and resilience. For the field of exercise psychology, they recommend moving beyond the traditional focus on exercise intensity to consider social components, touch, and musical elements. Understanding the mechanisms behind different exercise types could lead to more personalized and effective stress management recommendations.
The paper does not mention any specific funding sources or financial conflicts of interest.
The paper, “Dance and stress regulation: A multidisciplinary narrative review,” was authored by Sandra Klaperski-van der Wal, Jonathan Skinner, Jolanta Opacka-Juffry, and Kristina Pfeffer. It was published in Psychology of Sport & Exercise (volume 78, Article 102823) in 2025. The authors are affiliated with Radboud University (Netherlands), the University of Roehampton, the University of Surrey (UK), and the University of Southern Denmark.
When Vincent “Vin” DiMonte decided to hit the gym in late December of 2014, he liked it so much, he worked out again the next day.
And the next day.
And the day after that.
More than 3,700 days later, he hasn’t missed a single day of exercise, though he does take some easier days of light cardio to give his body a chance to recover.
The 74-year-old from Rhode Island said the regular routine of combining strength training with cardio has kept him energized, healthy, and strong over time.
“I am hardly ever sick, and I don’t get headaches. I have maintained my drive, diligence, dedication, and determination all these years,” DiMonte told Business Insider in an interview coordinated by Planet Fitness, his gym of choice.
DiMonte’s current workout schedule is about an hour each day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It’s been this way for 10 years and counting, and he has no plans to slow down.
“I have treated exercise like a ‘job’ — Get up, dress up, show up, and don’t give up,” he said.
Here’s what a typical workout looks like for DiMonte, and why science says it’s so good for longevity.
The bulk of DiMonte’s workouts, pun intended, is strength training to build muscle.
“The goal has been to become ‘a lean mean, fighting machine,’ as John Candy proclaimed in ‘Stripes,’” DiMonte said.
He spends about 45 minutes of his workout, six days a week, on strength machines. Each focuses on a different muscle group, a strategy called a workout split that allows one muscle group to rest while you work on another.
One recent gym session included calf extensions, leg extensions, and bicep curls. Other go-to exercises include chest presses and cable pull-downs.
DiMonte said he prefers strength training machines to free weights because the movements are easier on his body.
Machine exercise can be great for building muscle, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete, since they help to isolate the target muscles. And healthy muscle mass is key to living longer, making the body more resilient, preventing illness, and bolstering the metabolism over time.
For older athletes exercising for longevity, gym machines can help prevent injury since they provide more support and stability, personal trainers previously told Business Insider.
Over the years, DiMonte has added more time on the treadmill to his workout routine for aerobic exercise.
His current sessions include about 12 minutes of cardio daily, and Sundays are reserved for cardio-only, a type of active recovery so he can keep moving while his muscles rest.
Aerobic or cardio exercise can help extend lifespan and health by protecting your heart as you age, whether you’re walking, biking, jogging, or doing other activities that get your heart rate up.
Walking also kept DiMonte active and exercising daily during COVID when gyms were closed.
DiMonte said the key to maintaining his health, and his decade-long habit, has been staying consistent. His advice is to do something active every day and find a community to build a lifelong habit. Having strong social connections and a sense of purpose is not only linked to better longevity — a workout buddy is one of the best ways to stay motivated at the gym too, according to science.
As DiMonte puts it: “Go one day, then go the next day, and soon you will have a routine. You will make friends with those who have the same goals. They will become your ‘peeps!’”
If you’re anything like me, finding the time to work out can be more challenging than the workout itself.
Busy lives seem to squeeze out the things we enjoy or do to take care of ourselves, with thoughts of, “Oh, I must do that,” and “I need to get that done,” taking precedence.
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