Working Out Commando: Benefits, Risks, and Key Considerations

Is it better to workout commando?

Working out commando, or without underwear, can offer benefits such as reduced chafing and improved breathability for some individuals, yet it also presents potential drawbacks including hygiene concerns, lack of support, and increased risk of irritation, making the optimal choice highly dependent on personal comfort, activity type, and individual health considerations.

Understanding "Commando" in a Fitness Context

Working out "commando" refers to the practice of exercising without wearing underwear beneath your primary workout attire, such as shorts, leggings, or sweatpants. This approach is often considered by individuals seeking to minimize layers, enhance breathability, or reduce friction during physical activity. The perceived advantages and disadvantages are rooted in principles of anatomy, biomechanics, and hygiene, influencing comfort and health outcomes during exercise.

Potential Benefits of Working Out Commando

For some individuals, going commando during workouts can offer distinct advantages:

• Reduced Chafing and Irritation: With fewer layers of fabric and seams, the potential for friction between clothing and skin, particularly in sensitive areas like the inner thighs, groin, and glutes, can be significantly reduced. This can be especially beneficial during long-duration activities or for individuals prone to chafing.
• Enhanced Breathability and Moisture Management: Eliminating an extra layer of fabric can allow for more direct airflow to the skin, potentially improving ventilation and aiding in the evaporation of sweat. This can help maintain a cooler, drier environment in the groin area, which may reduce the risk of moisture-related skin issues or fungal growth.
• Improved Comfort and Range of Motion: For some, the absence of underwear provides a feeling of greater freedom and less restriction, potentially enhancing comfort and allowing for a fuller range of motion without fabric bunching or pulling.

Potential Drawbacks and Risks

Despite the potential benefits, working out commando carries several important considerations and risks:

• Hygiene Concerns: Without the barrier of underwear, sweat, bodily fluids, and potentially bacteria from your skin can directly contact your outer workout garments. If these garments are not washed immediately after each use, or if you sit on shared gym equipment, there's a higher potential for bacterial transfer and accumulation.
• Increased Risk of Friction and Irritation (Paradoxically): While some experience less chafing, others may find that the seams or rougher internal textures of their outer workout clothing, when in direct contact with sensitive skin, can cause irritation, rashes, or even abrasions.
• Lack of Support: Underwear, especially well-designed athletic underwear, provides crucial support for the genitals, particularly during high-impact activities like running, jumping, or plyometrics. Without this support, there can be increased movement, discomfort, or even minor trauma.
• Modesty and Public Perception: Depending on the opacity and fit of your outer garment, going commando can raise concerns about modesty, especially in public gym settings or during dynamic movements that might cause clothing to shift or become transparent.

Key Considerations for Men

For men, the decision to work out commando often revolves around two primary factors:

• Testicular Health: The testes function optimally at a temperature slightly below body temperature. While going commando can increase airflow, potentially aiding in temperature regulation, the lack of support during vigorous activity can lead to excessive movement, discomfort, or minor impact.
• Support Needs: Activities involving repetitive motion or high impact can cause the scrotum and testes to bounce or rub against the inner thighs, leading to discomfort, chafing, or even a sensation of pain. Proper support from athletic underwear or compression shorts can mitigate these issues.

Key Considerations for Women

For women, the choice to go commando involves specific considerations related to vaginal health and support:

• Vaginal Health and Infection Risk: The vaginal area is delicate and prone to imbalances. Direct contact with sweat-soaked, potentially less-than-sterile outer garments can disrupt the natural pH balance, increasing the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast infections. Fabrics that are not breathable can trap moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for microbial growth.
• Support Needs: During activities like running, jumping, or cycling, the labia and vulva can experience friction against clothing, leading to chafing, irritation, or discomfort. Underwear, particularly styles like boy shorts or bikini briefs made from moisture-wicking fabric, can provide a protective layer and reduce direct skin-to-fabric friction.

When Underwear Might Be Preferable

There are several scenarios where wearing appropriate athletic underwear is generally recommended:

• High-Impact Activities: For activities like running, HIIT, CrossFit, or plyometrics, where significant movement and impact occur, underwear provides essential support and reduces friction.
• Public Gyms and Shared Equipment: To enhance hygiene and reduce the potential transfer of sweat and microbes to gym equipment, wearing underwear adds an extra layer of protection.
• Individuals Prone to Infections or Skin Issues: If you are susceptible to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, folliculitis, or severe chafing, the protective and moisture-wicking properties of athletic underwear can be beneficial.
• When Outer Garments Are Not Designed for Direct Skin Contact: Some workout shorts or pants may have rough seams, non-wicking inner surfaces, or thin fabrics that are less comfortable or appropriate for direct skin contact during vigorous exercise.

Choosing the Right Underwear (If You Opt For It)

If you decide that underwear is beneficial for your workouts, selecting the right type is crucial:

• Material: Opt for moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, or blends with spandex. These materials draw sweat away from the body, helping it evaporate quickly, unlike cotton, which absorbs and holds moisture, creating a damp environment.
• Fit: Choose underwear that is snug but not restrictive. It should stay in place without bunching or riding up, and without digging into your skin. Seamless designs can further reduce friction.
• Style: Select a style that suits your activity and personal comfort. For men, briefs, boxer briefs, or compression shorts offer varying degrees of support. For women, boy shorts, bikini briefs, or thongs made from appropriate materials can work, depending on the outer garment and desired coverage/support.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

Ultimately, the decision of whether to work out commando is a personal one, with no definitive "better" answer that applies to everyone. It requires a careful balance of personal comfort, the specific demands of your activity, individual hygiene practices, and health considerations.

Listen to your body, experiment with both options if comfortable, and prioritize cleanliness of your workout attire regardless of your choice. For many, the benefits of support, hygiene, and reduced specific irritation that well-chosen athletic underwear provides will outweigh the perceived advantages of going commando, especially during intense or public workouts.