“They are my go-to shorts, no matter what I’m training for. 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.
(Five-inch shorts are the second-most-popular length of the guys we spoke to.) They come recommended by three stylish men: personal trainer Ariel Brill, multisport athlete Nik Karbelnikoff, and former Strategist associate editor Daniel Varghese. 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. These seven-inch-inseam Ten Thousand Interval shorts come as close as you can get to quiver-of-one gym shorts. Polyester and spandex | Lined or unlined | 5-inch, 7-inch, or 9-inch inseam While it ultimately comes down to preference and your height, our experts recommended their favorite inseams for specific activities below. A shorter short has more potential to bunch and rise up in the thigh, while the fabric on a longer inseam can restrict movement. Inseam: A short’s inseam can affect your workout experience. We understand that some guys might prefer the comfort and freedom of an unlined pair, and we noted where those options are available below. Some pairs offer a snug, compression-short feel, while others have a liner that feels more like a pair of active underwear. Lined versus unlined: Most of my favorites, and the most-recommended gym shorts, come with built-in liners, which generally provide more support and help with wicking sweat off the skin. We also paid attention to the exterior fabric, and how their durability stood up to our experts’ most intense workouts.
A blend of polyester, nylon, and spandex is the most common combo it’s what the majority of these shorts are made with. 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. Material: A gym short’s material is the most important thing to look for when choosing a new pair.