The words ‘compression shorts‘ have a rather ominous sound, don’t you think? They make you think of those torture devices formerly known as girdles. They may even have you thinking of extreme discomfort and used only by those who specifically need them for a certain activity. But they’re not really as uncomfortable as they sound. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Men and women athletes wear compression shorts while they’re performing to help them stay more comfortable and protect their skin from rashes and chaffing. In fact these athletes report that even their muscles can perform at higher levels because of the ‘pressure’ and stability these shorts provide them.
To understand compression shorts it helps to compare them to ordinary clothing. A regular pair of shorts will be baggy, sometimes even loose, and you’ll have room to move around. But when you’re performing most sports, that looseness can actually hinder your performance. That extra fabric gets in your way and prevents fluid movement. Compression shorts fit close to the skin so you don’t have to worry about getting tangled up in your clothes. And they visually go and look great when paired with loose shorts, much like Basketball players do.
When you’re in the heat of the game, it’s natural to sweat. Those baggy clothes absorb some of that moisture, but not really enough to keep your body cool. And what little they do absorb causes irritation and chaffing when those baggy clothes get wrapped around your body. Both mens compressions short and womens compression shorts, on the other hand, have special linings to help absorb more moisture. This keeps your body cooler and helps prevent chaffing.
Some athletes who are required to wear uniforms will wear compression shorts underneath for extra protection and compression leggings, which also provide additional moisture absorption, can also be warn for extra warmth. When you hear someone refer to under armor you know they’re talking about the protective clothing they’re wearing under their regular clothing or uniform.
Another type of under armor, popular especially among bikers is padded compression shorts. Spending long hours on a bicycle can be painful, to say the least. These shorts have padding in all the right places to help prevent injury, rashes and pain. Most manufacturers make this style with removable pads, too, so that users can get maximum comfort and protection where they need it the most. And, like other compressions short, they also have the moisture absorbing lining.
Nike, first made famous with their athletic footwear, is one of the leading manufacturers of compressions clothing and under armor clothing for both men and women. Compression clothing isn’t restrictive at all, but it is tight fitting. And if it doesn’t fit properly it can cause even more chaffing than regular baggy workout clothes. Because of that, it’s best to choose clothing from a name brand manufacturer, like Nike, so you’ll always get the proper fit.
