The Best Gym Shorts for Your Fitness Journey

• Inseam: 7 inches (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 86% polyester, 14% Spandex

Most of us don’t have the budget — or time — for 12 different pairs of shorts for 12 different activities. We’d prefer one pair of shorts we can wear for virtually every athletic pursuit. If that describes you, the Interval is a perfect silhouette. Featuring a thick no-pinch waistband, a few well-placed pockets and an ultra-wicking shell (plus a comfy liner for $10 more), these shorts easily accommodate kettlebell swings, med ball tosses, box jumps and bench presses. Every detail is painstakingly considered, leading to a pair of shorts you don’t have to think twice about. “The simplicity and refined minimalist details are what I love the most,” says Mike Aidala, personal coach and founder of the MAST Method.

• Inseam: 7 inches
• Materials: Body: 86% Recycled polyester, 14% Elastane / Liner: 82% polyester, 18% Elastane

Made from lightweight fabric with just the right amount of stretch, these well-designed shorts suit every activity from dog walking to deadlifts. The liner is true to the brand with soft and supportive comfort, even featuring a clever little phone sleeve that'll keep that essential device from bouncing all over the gym. We found the construction to be plenty durable, too, so you can work out as hard and as often as you like while lowering the cost-per-wear in the process.

• Inseam: 7 inches
• Materials: 86% polyester, 14% Spandex

These shorts have been on our radar since Brooks launched its first cross-functional lineup this past spring. As comfortable logging miles as they are at tackling deadlifts, the Run Within 7-inch linerless shorts boast a distraction-free design that’s soft to the touch and plenty stretchy. A handy back-center pockets provides easy phone storage for runs or lifts, and the four-way stretch doesn’t hinder movement or agility. Simple in design but bold in opportunities, these wallet-friendly bottoms are a must-have for multi-disciplined athletes.

• Inseam: 5 inches (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: Body: 100% polyester stretch ripstop with a DWR finish

Technically sound and ready for the road, Patagonia delivers, once again, with these top-tier running shorts. The Strider Pros are Fair Trade-Certified sewn and feature a polyester stretch ripstop body fabric that’s durable and water-repellent. One of the key highlights from testing was the external drawcord that allowed for a custom fit without that pesky bunching around your belly button. And when our miles took our training far into the evening, a reflective logo along the front-center hem helped us stay visible to oncoming traffic and other passersby.

• Inseam: 7 inches
• Materials: Shell: 88% polyester, 13% Spandex / Liner: 85% nylon, 15% Elastane

Finding that perfect liner and shorts combo can be tricky at times, but Saxx’s Gainmaker 2N1 shorts take all that guesswork out thanks to the built-in semi-compression fit liner. Our tester really appreciated the support and flexibility offered up in this build, and the relaxed fit shell made grinding through training sessions all the more comfortable. We do recommend, though, that you don’t carry all your belongings in the shallow pockets, as our tester did have an instance (or three) where their wallet and phone were sent plummeting to the parking lot asphalt due to the less than ideal security.

• Inseam: 7 inches (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 91% polyester, 9% Spandex

If your ideal training session involves barbell-bending numbers, then you need a short that’s up to the task. The Luka 7-inch lined shorts from Legends are constructed from a durable, four-way stretch fabric that moves with you through your most grueling lifts. Laser-cut ventilation helps you stay dry and cool, while antimicrobial tech helps keep these fitness shorts funk-free. Plus, there’s plenty of colorways and patterns to choose from, so your in-gym style can be as impressive as your bench PR.

• Inseam: N/A
• Materials: Speedwick 100% recycled polyester plain weave

CrossFit is one of those training disciplines that requires a lot from its athletes, so the gear you wear should be as versatile as possible. As the name suggests, the Workout Ready Strength shorts are, well, ready to put in the work thanks to a [Ree]cycled polyester plain weave profile. Lightweight and agile, these shorts also feature a PerformBand lay-flat waistband, which we found exceptionally comfortable across the midsection. While there’s no drawstring, which can hinder that perfect fit, we often turn to these for HIIT-centric training.

• Inseam: 5 inches (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: Shell: 86% nylon, 14% Elastane / Liner: 89% polyester, 11% Spandex

Tackling some plyometrics in your normal workout routine? Consider these training-ready bottoms from Tracksmith boasting a soft, lightweight, performance fabric that easily moves with you whether changing direction, changing paces or just skipping into a new set. We love the on-skin feel of these shorts, and the added brief liner is another added touch that harkens to the brand’s running routes. The 5-inch inseam allows for excellent mobility through multiple training modalities, but Tracksmith also offers the Session Shorts in a 7-inch cut for added coverage. Unfortunately, however, the liner isn’t compression-based, meaning you may experience a baggier fit than other shorts in this roundup.

• Inseam: 5.5 inches (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: Shell: 86% polyester/14% Spandex / Liner: 85% polyester/15% Spandex

Pre-workout isn’t the only thing that can give your training a jolt of energy. Take these impressive lined shorts from Chubbies. Falling right in-line with the brand’s vibrant motif, the Ultimate Training Shorts are available in a variety of flashy styles that can easily boost your confidence when tackling a notebook’s worth of exercises. We enjoyed the comfort of the snug yet cozy compression liner that didn’t completely strangle our thighs during workouts, and the double-layered waistband rides perfectly across the midsection. While some might prefer a more subdued aesthetic, for our money, these shorts are the perfect amount of flair.

• Inseam: 7 inches
• Materials: Outer Shell: 86% polyester 14% Spandex / Inner: 91% Nylon 9% Spandex

These shockingly affordable shorts boast handy features such as lightweight, breathable fabric, an inner compression liner (with added phone pocket) and four-way stretch. But the reason they earn their unique superlative is simple: a designated waist-loop on the back left is perfect for stashing a workout towel or, you know, your workout shirt. These are a little thicker than other shorts on this list, but don’t let that deter you from rocking these ready-to-go bottoms that’re primed for showing off your gains.

• Inseam: 10 inches
• Materials: 86% polyester 14% Spandex

Not quite ready for the Spandex, next-to-skin look? These clever shorts employ zippers and Velcro straps to convert from form-fittingly close to comfortably loose in seconds. For an extra $60, you can score a combo deal with the Liberator liner and enjoy some critical long-distance padding, too.

• Inseam: 6 inches
• Materials: 100% polyester

Okay, so maybe you’re an athlete that needs to work in a gym session in-between morning Zoom meetings and emails. Well, to make your at-home work more accommodating, and your laundry hamper less full, we recommend these comfy Solotex Mesh shorts from Reigning Champ. Whether sitting in a desk chair or sitting at their rowing machine, our tester loved the breathable comfort of these stylish yet performance-ready bottoms. While not the best pick for intense training (the smooth knit reverse can get hot during grueling exercises), if you want a short that’s all business — pun intended — look no further.

Editor’s Note: If you like the luxe aesthetic of Reigning Champ but want a more training-oriented short silhouette, we also recommend the brand’s Dot Air Running Shorts that feature a built-in liner and four-way stretch.

• Inseam: 3 inches
• Materials: AFO: 88% recycled polyester, 12% Elastane / Liner: 94% polyester, 6% Spandex

As our top pick for long-distance running shorts, these bottoms have exceptional breathability thanks to a deep split up the outer seam. What does this mean for training purposes? Cooler temps, greater range of motion and plenty of thigh. Our tester notably spent a majority of their time in these shorts along their favorite outdoor running routes, but also took in some training sessions in the gym as well. The performance shone through in every scenario, and if you’re confident enough to show this much skin when training, these can be the ultimate exclamation point in any wardrobe.

• Inseam: N/A
• Materials: 95% cotton, 5% stretch

Mack Weldon has made a name for itself by adding extra style and subtle bonus features to its wardrobe staples. Both qualities are very much in evidence here, thanks to micro-brushed French terry fabric (available in multiple colors), a tailored fit and a sneaky zippered side pocket to go along with hand pockets and a zippered rear pocket. It all adds up to elevated sweatshorts perfect for everything from gym sessions, to tennis lessons and the ever-popular brunch.

• Inseam: 7.5 inches
• Materials: 46% recycled polyester, 44% polyester, 10% Elastane

For poses like downward dog and warrior II, you want to keep things classy with a liner. These shorts, from laidback-California-cool brand Vuori, not only offer a breathable boxer-brief liner, but they’re also uber-comfortable thanks to quick-drying four-way stretch fabric and a roomier fit. We felt no discomfort when changing poses on our yoga mats, and a helpful anti-odor treatment keeps you from stinking up the studio, too.

• Inseam: 8 inches
• Materials: SurfNyl nylon exterior

Our wave-chasing Style editor recently named these the best board shorts for a few key reasons: "These iconic board shorts feature Birdwell's tough double-layered SurfNyl nylon fabric. They come with a button fly, adjustable nylon drawstring waist, snap back pocket with a key loop and top-notch triple-stitch construction throughout. After wearing for many seasons, these only get better." 'Nuff said.

• Inseam: N/A
• Materials: 100% polyester

Take your play above the rim in these stylish court essentials. Made from breathable, lightweight, sweat-wicking mesh, these shorts hark back to Jordan’s playing days with the iconic diamond side panels and added heritage-inspired details throughout. Convenient side pockets are a good place to put your hands, too — when they aren’t mimicking the “I don’t know” shrug after draining too many 3s, of course.

• Inseam: N/A
• Materials: 100% polyester

Named after the Italian word for flavor, the Condivo 20s should add a little spice to your weekend kick-arounds. The lightweight and breathable AEROREADY fabric will have you zipping around the pitch like a young Roberto Baggio. They're versatile enough for other activities, too, like watching soccer and playing FIFA.

• Inseam: 10 inches
• Materials: Body: 12 oz. 82% cotton, 18% polyester

No brand is more closely associated with throwback sweats than Champion, and these heavyweight, 10-inch fleece shorts carry on that tradition. The fleece is cut on the cross-grain to resist shrinkage, ensuring a true fit, while the brushed interior is comfy as hell. An elastic waistband with drawstring, retro cut-off hem and side pockets round out the winning package.

• Inseam: 7 inches (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: N/A

While there’s plenty of shorts in this roundup that are multifaceted, our tester couldn’t find a discipline where the Rhone Mako Tech shorts didn’t perform exceptionally well. We like these bottoms for everything from hard-nosed squat sessions to relaxed and blissful yoga flows, and the four-way stretch perfectly creates that profile that moves with you in every exercise. While our tester did notice some uncomfortable rubbing at the waistband on a few occasions due to the thick drawcord pronounced in the build, we still admire how these do-it-all shorts can truly do it all.