Depending on your preferred type of workout, you’re going to need different kinds of shorts. For example, if you like to run, you might want split shorts or some that are not as long, so the extra fabric doesn’t get caught up between your legs and slow you down.
If you’re going to the gym to lift weights, on the other hand, you’ll want shorts that are a little bit longer or ones that have a liner. That way you can keep things comfortable and classy when you lie down to bench press or do any leg raises on the mats.
We spoke with five personal trainers about the pairs of shorts they reach for every day. Each trainer looks for something slightly different — the right length, number of pockets, a soft feel that holds up after hundreds of washes. Here are the five pairs of shorts they swear by.
Ten Thousand Interval Shorts
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“The simplicity and refined minimalist details are what I love the most,” Mike Aidala, personal coach and founder of the MAST Method, says. “I used to be into more flashy gym wear, but now it’s all about not letting my workout clothes distract me from my actual workout.” Pick from a 7- or 9-inch inseam, liner or linerless and then six colors ranging from black to blue to grey. These sweat-wicking shorts move with you as you attempt that handstand for the fifteenth or fiftieth time.
Rhone’s Mako shorts are 7-inches long and come lined, or unlined — the DWR finish and sweat-wicking interior keep you dry, while the media pocket fits phones that are smaller than an iPhone Plus. “These shorts are relatively indestructible and incredibly comfortable. A standout feature is the media pocket inside the front pocket that helps keep my phone from bouncing all around when I exercise or go for a run,” Rick Richey, owner of Independent Training Spot and Recover in New York, says. He’s been a trainer since 2002 and finds the inspirational quote inside each pair of shorts meaningful.
Rich Velazquez, a coach and COO at Mile High Run Club in NYC, recommends the Nike Split short — a typical choice for dedicated runners. “They’re lightweight and provide a full range of motion for running strides,” he explains. While it might take a bit to get used to wearing shorts with split sides, these shorts are ideal for activities like hopping on a treadmill for interval hill workouts.
“I love that the pockets are discreet yet adequate enough to manage my keys, wallet and other small items without adding bulk to the fit,” says Gideon Akande, a two-time Chicago Golden Gloves champ and Men’s Health Next Top Trainer. “These shorts look great in a variety of settings, making it easy to switch from chill mode to go mode in an instant!” He also appreciates the supportive built-in liner and four-way stretch, for freedom of movement no matter what kind of workout you tackle.
“There’s only one brand I wear for my workouts, and that’s Birddogs,” says Dariusz Stankiewicz, co-founder of Body Evolved in NYC. “They come in three different short lengths. It's a huge deal because for my runs and squatting days I want shorts shorter, so that I don’t have to deal with extra material hanging down. For my casual workouts, I wear them little longer.” The cheeky brand's gym shorts are available in 17 colors and patterns the three lengths are 6-inch, 8-inch and 9.25-inch.
“Anytime I can flow in new gear while in class, is a recipe for continued success,” says Kyle Jones, wellness pro and co-host of the Off the Strength podcast. Slightly longer options like the Y7 Lululemon Pace Breaker Shorts are ideal for poses like Downward Dog and Pigeon because there’s some added coverage. “These [types of] shorts are perfect for yoga, because they give you the freedom of a baggy basketball short, but the chic style and look of modern athleisure wear.”
This is a perfect layer for spring. Just about everything NYC-based Todd Snyder makes is quality and damn good looking, but this definitely takes it up a notch. If you want to use it as a liner underneath a topcoat, it is an excellent choice, but it also pairs exceptionally well with a sweater or t-shirt.
These water- and sweat-proof earbuds are our pick for the best workout earbuds. They have 6-hour battery life and are MIL-STD 810G certified, which means they have passed repeated shock, vibrations, drop, and crush tests as well as extended exposure to tropical humidity, hurricane-force water and desert sandstorm conditions.
We love just about all of Brooklinen's offerings and when something goes on sale, we jump at the chance to snap something up at a discount. If you don't have a duvet cover yet, and you absolutely should, you cannot go wrong with this one, especially at 20 percent off.
These Bose headphones are some of Gear Patrol's favorite noise-cancelling headphones of the past year, owing to excellent design and top-notch sound quality. Don't like this color? The black and white colorways are both on sale for $330.
Flint and Tinder's bestselling jacket almost never goes on sale — usually only once a year, if you're lucky. Immensely warm and tough-as-nails, this is a heritage piece that you'll have forever. Now is the time to pick up this weather-resistant jacket for the cheapest price you'll ever see it.
For three years running, we’ve awarded the top slot to Mountain Hardwear’s Super/DS StretchDown jacket, and right now, at arguably the best time to buy a jacket, it’s on sale for 40 percent off. If you don't like the orange, there are other colors on sale at a lesser discount, as well.
Filson has been making some of the best gear to come out of the Pacific Northwest, and probably the whole country, for years. This tote is tough-as-hell and water-resistant — perfect for weekend trips to the farmers' market.
Originally a tennis shoe in the 80s, the Killshot 2 has become one of Nike's most coveted kicks. After years of only being available through J.Crew, they are now available in multiple colorways directly from Nike. They sell out almost every time they go on sale, so act fast to get yourself a pair.
Spring is coming and we're thinking hard about our next trips out into the wilderness. When it comes to backpacking gear, a good sleeping pad is one of the more important pieces you can have in your pack, so it is best to opt for quality. This insulated pad keeps you warm and cozy when the ground gets cold.
Apple's premium AirPods have been hovering around $200 for a while now, which is a great deal. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
You've probably worn your favorite pair of sweats down a bit over the winter, so pick up a new pair for spring that work just as well at home as they do for your workouts. These have a slim fit and relatively short inseam that keeps them out of the way when you're on the move but are still comfy enough for lounging.
As we head into spring, you may not need the heavier layers you've been donning all winter, but you still need something. This light jacket from Nike is perfect for breezy days and will even help if you encounter a drizzly April shower.
The Eco-Drive from Citizen is powered by light, so you never need a battery. This diver is highlighted by a date display at 4 o'clock, a luminous dial, and a dual-tone bezel.
When looking back on life and thinking hard about every travel mug and thermos you've seen, odds are high that most of them are made by Stanley. This classic brand has made some of the best insulated mugs for years, so picking one up is a no-brainer.
Staub's enameled cast iron is versatile, distributes heat evenly, and works with any heat source, including induction. This is one of our favorite pieces of cookware.
Huckberry and Timex threw it back to the 70s and 80s with this collaboration. Starting with a blank slate, the brands led with the iconic cola colorway, added a military-inspired dial and finished it off with a woven stainless steel bracelet and aluminum timing bezel.
Now that many of us are working exclusively from home, Wi-Fi connectivity has never been more precious. Make sure your entire home is covered with this Wi-Fi extender, which can boost coverage up to 1,200 feet and connect to 20 devices.
Being at home more often is a blessing to many of us, but only if our home is prepared for our presence. If the air is getting a little stale and dry, pick up a humidifier to bring your space back to life and give you some fresh breathing room just in time for allergy season.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket.
Solo Stove took the 360 Airflow Design that made its fire pit so exceptional and turned it into a charcoal grill that is perfect for backyard hangs. This bundle comes with the grill, a grill stand, a cover, a carry case, plus briquettes and starters to get you going.
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 31 percent off, you do it.
Making more coffee from home now? So are we. Ditch the Mr. Coffee and unlock all the flavor your freshly roasted beans have to offer with a french press. It is super simple to use and really does make exceptional coffee.
Stasher bags are one of our favorite alternatives to single-use plastic wrap and bags. They keep your food fresh, contain no BPA and are dishwasher and microwave safe. Plus, you can also use them for marinades or sous vide thanks to their Pinch-Loc seal.
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