If you take a regular spinning class, you might be surprised to know that compression shorts can actually help you. The best compression shorts for spinning come with a myriad of benefits which you may not be aware of.
Do Compression Shorts Help Glutes and Hamstrings?
There are actually a variety of ways in which compressions shorts can help your glutes and hamstrings, both for your next spinning class and otherwise. The best compression shorts for spinning help you give your best performance during the class. If you wear them at home, or in the car after your class, you will recover faster. Sore glutes and hamstrings will not be an issue anymore.
Best Compression Shorts for Spinning for Women
Santic Women’s Cycling Shorts
The reason I recommend these shorts is purely out of comfort. They have extra padding in the middle to absorb the shock of sitting on the saddle. The antiskid design of a silicone band keeps the bottom in place and stops it from riding up. The non-abrasive stitching protects your skin against any damage. Top-quality, quick dry fabric together with the breathable material makes these shorts extra hygienic.
Best Compression Short for Spinning for Men
UnderArmour HeatGear Compression Shorts
These shorts combine comfort, ventilation and all the benefits of compression technology. It is a surprisingly elastic model, that takes up the form of your glutes to have maximum benefits. The shorts are ultra tight, so expect them to be a little hard to put on the first time. The mesh panels on the inside of your thighs deliver strategic ventilation. The ergonomic design prevents any chafing or skin burn. The durability of these shorts is amazing. One pair can fix your problems for multiple weeks of spinning.
Prevent Chaffing and Rashes
To start off with one of the lesser benefits, compressions shorts can help your glutes and hamstrings through moisture and temperature control. If you are wearing normal shorts or pants, you will get sweaty, wet, and hot, which is not only uncomfortable by itself, but it can also cause rashes and chaffing in all the wrong places. A good pair of compression shorts, due to increased ventilation and great moisture wicking abilities, can help prevent this from occurring.
Better Blood Flow and Oxygenation
There is no denying the fact that legs get very tired when spinning. It takes a lot of power and energy from the glutes and hamstrings to spin for a prolonged period of time. Actually, these are the muscle groups that suffer the most injuries during cycling and spinning.
Well, compression shorts do actually help to increase blood flow and oxygenation, which therefore helps the hamstrings and glutes last longer without tiring. The more blood and oxygen they get, the longer those muscles can work for without burning and tiring. It’s all about increasing overall power and stamina.
Reduced Chance of Injury
The next reason why compression shorts can help glutes and hamstring is due to the fact that they add some stability. Simply put, they help to keep everything in place, thus reducing the chances of injuring yourself, for example pulling a groin muscle because you are pedaling too fast.
Faster Recovery
Something else which compression shorts can do for you, in relation to your high-speed spinning class, is to help you recover faster. That benefit of increased blood flow and oxygenation applies not only during your workout, but after as well. In other words, wearing compression shorts during exercise can actually help your muscles heal and recover much faster, even after the workout is done.
How Compression Shorts Make Sitting on a Bike More Comfortable
Spinning compression shorts can also make sitting on a bike much more comfortable, and this is true in more ways than one. One of the reasons is due to containment. Here we are talking about men and their reproductive organs. Simply put, all of that extra gear men have between their legs can get in the way. Compression shorts help contain that manly gear, making it easier to sit on a bike for a prolonged period of time.
Compression shorts for spinning also make sitting on a bike more comfortable because they help with temperature and moisture regulation. Sitting on a bike for a long time can cause your behind to get super-hot, sweaty, and disgustingly swampy. A good pair of compression shorts can help to wick moisture away from your behind and legs, thus helping to keep you dry. Not only is it just a lot more comfortable to be dry than wet, but it can also help prevent chaffing and rashes. On that same note, a good pair of breathable compression shorts can go a long way in keeping your legs and button cooler and better ventilated. This is one of the main reason compression shorts are also used as workout gear.
Next, compression shorts can help keep you comfortable on a bike due to a reduced chance of injury, as well as a lower level of fatigue. Although maybe not inherently related to comfort, the fact that compression shorts help with these factors does in a way translate to comfort in the long run.
Finally, although this benefit is not massive, compression shorts can help add a small layer of padding between you and that rock-hard seat.
Can I Use Spinning Compression Shorts as Underwear?
The compression shorts should be worn as underwear for spin classes. You are supposed to wear another layer of gym shorts over them.
Many people want to wear their underwear for spinning classes. You don’t need extra underwear for your spin class. However a common mistake many people make is wearing their shorts without underwear for the rest of the day. This is not a wise decision from a hygiene standpoint. You can read more about whether you can use compression shorts as underwear here.
What are spinning compression shorts made of?
Something you should be aware of when it comes to compression shorts for spinning is that they can be made out of a variety of materials. Now, before we get into talking about each of these materials, it is important to note that many compression shorts will be made out of a combination of the following materials.
Spandex
The biggest benefit of spandex is that it stretches very well and is extremely flexible. Compression shorts need to be stretchy and flexible. Spandex also recovers its original shape very well. It is easy to wash, and it’s very lightweight and breathable, plus it often helps wick moisture away. Although it is not as durable as you would want it to be. It tends to wear down over time. They mix it with nylon for durability.
Cotton
Compression shorts are often made with a blend of cotton, and the big benefit of cotton is that it is extremely soft and comfortable to wear, plus quite durable. Now, it doesn’t stretch, that is why they mix it with nylon and spandex.
Nylon
The great part about nylon is that it is quite elastic, plus very affordable too. Nylon also tends to be extremely strong, durable, and resistant to tearing. The downside is that nylon is not breathable, and washing it is not the easiest either.
Polyester
Polyester is another fabric often used for making spinning shorts and the reason for it is because it is durable and super affordable, plus it’s easy to wash. The downside is that polyester does not breathe too well and it certainly does not wick moisture away from the skin.
Conclusion
The best compression shorts for spinning are those that are durable, breathable, moisture wicking, flexible, and have just the right amount of compression. As you can see, these things can have some major benefits for spinning enthusiasts, and yes, for all other types of exercise too. If you try the best spinning compression short for your next class, you will never look back!
