Fitness
The Very Best Gym Shorts for Men
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.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Finding time to work out as a mom with young kids can be a challenge in itself, especially when you’re new to an area and don’t know where to start. However, a new fitness option strolled into Sioux Falls today. iStroll offers moms the chance to work out and meet other moms all while their kids can play or even join alongside them.
iStroll is a national organization that has more than 35 locations in the country but this is the first time one opened in South Dakota. It’s a full body workout that incorporates dumbbells, body weight, and jogging strollers when the weather’s nice.
“I found iStroll in Oklahoma and fell in love,” said Kelsi Supek who started the affiliate in Sioux Falls. “We made friends. It became our entire social network. The kids loved it and then we moved to Arizona during COVID. And all the moms were stuck at home. They were inside with our kids and lonely, honestly. And we were like, why can’t we start an iStroll and be out at the parks with the kids every day? And it took off.”
When Supek moved to Sioux Falls, she was encouraged by her family to start an affiliate and own it herself.
“Gym daycares did not work out for my children,” said Supek. “I would get 10 minutes into a class and then I’d have that person trying to knock outside the yoga studio going, Can I have Kelsey and her kids screaming in daycare? And it just didn’t work for us. So at iStroll they could be with me or I could be breastfeeding the baby as I was teaching in class.”
Classes are planned to continue each Wednesday and Friday at We Rock the Spectrum and First Presbyterian Church. For a full schedule for January and February, you can look at their Facebook. The first class is also free and memberships are for the whole family.
“Letting the kids see you work out is, it’s similar to homeschooling where like, you know, how are they going to love working out if they don’t see you working out,” said Kelly Jardeleza, a stay-at-home mom of three kids. “Whereas at other gyms they put them in a room and they don’t get to watch you. And how are you going to inspire them if they’re not watching you do it?”
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
There’s no bad time to take a more active interest in your health, but the new year, for lots of us, feels like a fresh start. Maybe you’re planning to sign up for a 10k or finally have a go at bouldering, eat a bit better or learn to swing a kettlebell. Maybe you want to keep up with your grandkids — or just be a little bit more physically prepared for whatever life throws at you.
To help things along, Guardian Live invites you to a special event with public health expert Devi Sridhar, journalist and author Mariella Frostrup, and health and fitness columnist Joel Snape. They’ll be joining the Guardian’s Today in Focus presenter Annie Kelly to discuss simple, actionable ways to stay fit and healthy as you move through the second half of life: whether that means staying strong and mobile or stressing less and sleeping better.
To make the whole event as helpful as possible, we’d love to hear from you about what you find most challenging — or confusing — when it comes to health and exercise. What should you actually be eating, and how are you going to find the time to make it? What sort of exercise is best, and how often should you be doing it? Is Pilates worth the effort — and should we really all be drinking mugfuls of piping hot creatine?
Whether your question is about exercise, eating, or general wellness, post it below and we’ll put a selection to our panel on the night.
Share your experience
You can post your question to the panel using this form.
If you’re having trouble using the form, click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
Jan 6 (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday that it will limit regulation of wearable devices and software designed to support healthy lifestyles, issuing new guidance to clarify its regulatory approach.
The guidance, along with comments from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, adds to existing policy that classifies low-risk wellness tools, such as fitness apps and activity trackers that encourage exercise, as non-medical devices exempt from stringent regulation, provided they do not make claims related to disease diagnosis or treatment.
Sign up here.
“We have to promote these products and at the same time, just guard against major safety concerns,” Makary said in an interview with Fox Business about artificial intelligence software such as ChatGPT, adding that “if people are looking up a symptom on an AI-based tool, let’s have that conversation when they come in to see their doctor or do a virtual visit.”
“We want to let companies know, with very clear guidance, that if their device or software is simply providing information, they can do that without FDA regulation,” Makary told Fox Business.
“The only stipulation is if they make claims of something being medical grade … like blood pressure measurement. We don’t want people changing their medicines based on something that’s just a screening tool or an estimate of a physiologic parameter.”
The agency also sent out a broader warning to consumers about the risks posed by unauthorized devices.
Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Henderson and Sherry Jacob-Phillips
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Noem puts Newsom on notice, vows California probe after Minnesota fraud bust
Body found during search for missing Texas teen Camila Mendoza Olmos as another teen girl disappears
Dem governor-elect taps Crockett’s former ‘chief brand strategist’ for top DEI role
Man with machete shot and killed by police, who then find 3 more dead inside home: officials
Former Detroit Tigers starting pitcher is Rockies’ first signing of winter
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Minnesota Governor Condemns ICE Shooting
Trump greenlights Russian sanctions bill, paving way for 500% tariff on countries supporting Moscow: Graham
Saudi-led coalition says STC’s al-Zubaidi fled to UAE via Somaliland
U.S. to exit 66 international organizations in further retreat from global cooperation
San Diego sues to stop border barrier construction
-
Detroit, MI5 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Dallas, TX3 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Technology2 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Health4 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Nebraska1 day agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska
-
Politics4 days agoDan Bongino officially leaves FBI deputy director role after less than a year, returns to ‘civilian life’
-
Nebraska2 days agoNebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek
-
Louisiana3 days agoInternet company started with an antenna in a tree. Now it’s leading Louisiana’s broadband push.