Archive for the tag - underwear

Should I Wear A Jockstrap To The Gym?

September 4, 2015 By

Dear Davey,

I’m new to the gym and, quite frankly, I need all the help that I can get. When I was a young guy in sports, I remember that a lot of my teammates would wear jockstraps. Since I’m working out again, is there any advantage to exercising in a jockstrap?

From,
Bill

598652510_tpHey Bill,

I couldn’t be more excited for an excuse to talk about jockstraps!

But first, let’s have an educational moment.

As best I can tell, jockstraps were invented in the mid 1870s by a Chicago sporting goods company. They were popular among the bicycle jockeys that rode the cobblestone streets of Boston. With an open backside and a pouch in the front, jockstraps provided an element of safety and support, and kept things nicely in place for the jockeys. Over the years, jockstraps became more popular with athletes and were often fitted with a cup for extra protection.

In essence, men wear jockstraps for the same reason that women wear bras.

7be5fb77ded9eb430161ad3f3c7b47b4But times have changed, and there are more modern options. For those of us not engaging in high-risk sports, simple compression shorts or athletic underwear are a more supportive and comfortable choice. Today, there are hundreds of brands and underwear styles specifically designed and engineered to help you get the most out of your workout.

So are jockstraps a relic of the past? Not exactly. Some men still opt for jockstraps because, let’s face it, they’re sexy. And the open backside is convenient for other, non-gym activities. Wink, wink.

So while modern athletic underwear may be a more functional choice, wearing a jockstrap just might give you that extra boost of confidence and pep in your step. If that’s the case, more power to you.

And send me a picture.

Love,
Davey

P.S. For a core workout that you can do at home (with or without a jockstrap), download Davey Wavey Six Pack Program and receive a free gift!

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Best Men’s Gym Underwear.

July 14, 2015 By

Hey Davey,

I’m new to the gym and want to make sure that I’m using the best gear. I haven’t been able to find any good information about the best underwear to wear while working out. What’s your favorite?

From,
Jim

Hey Jim,

The only thing I love more than working out is underwear. And the only thing I love more than underwear is men. So I’m probably the best person to answer your question in the entire world.

underarmou_underwear_review-585x292When it comes to workout underwear, my criteria is as follows:

  • Comfort
  • Non-chafing
  • Support
  • Sweat-wicking

I think some of the sexier men’s underwear brands deserve kudos for their creativity, but most of their underwear doesn’t pass the gym comfort test. With all the mesh, straps and tiny pouches, it’s a recipe for rope burn and testicular difficulties. These underwear are made for show, not performance. Rather than underwear that detracts from your workout, opt for underwear that enhances your workout.

Which leads to the next point, non-chafing. It’s an issue so important that it is deserving of its own paragraph. From jock straps to briefs to boxers and everything in between, I have exercised in every underwear known to man. As someone who runs frequently, the only underwear that doesn’t chafe my thighs is boxer briefs. Because the fabric is tight around your thighs, chafing is minimized or eliminated entirely. Hands down, boxer briefs are the way to go.

Which leads to the next point, support. Even beyond chafing, baggy underwear like boxers don’t keep the family jewels in place. No one wants a ball slip while doing crunches or having things bounce around every time you do a lunge.

blue-frontAnd speaking of the family jewels, specialized moisture-wicking fabrics help keep things dry. Heavier fabrics like cotton tend to absorb your sweat; this makes for a thick, smelly mixture of swamp ass that is only appealing to a small subset of men on Craigslist.

So what are my top choices?

Well, I’m biased. As the creator of the DirtyFit underwear line, I can’t help but plug my undies. Not only do they meet all four criteria, but they’re made in the USA and people swear by them. Though you can order them through my DirtyFit Apparel online store ($26.95), Amazon.com is currently having a buy 2 get 1 free special.

LM9299S_0001_1If money isn’t a consideration and you’re really looking to make an investment, I also really enjoy the Lock ‘Em Down Boxer Brief from Lululemon ($38). I exercised in them until finally the fabric around the thighs wore out.

But I’d love to hear what your favorite gym underwear is… Please share your favorites in the comments below!

Love,
Davey

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Tight Underwear Prevent Muscle Growth?

September 22, 2011 By

Hi Davey,

There are a lot of people that say that tight underwear lowers our sperm count and testosterone levels, thereby preventing muscle gain. Is it true?

From,
Frank

Hey Frank,

I’m so glad you asked this question!

First things first, it’s common knowledge that testosterone aids in muscle growth. The more testosterone you have, the more muscle you’re likely to build through your training. And, of course, this has been proven time and time again through the use of anabolic steroids, which - though dangerous - mimic testosterone and result in muscle growth.

If you do a Google search, you’ll see countless websites warning of the link between tight underwear and reduced testosterone and sperm counts. But rarely do they cite any research to back up their claims. I’m interested in science - not rumors.

These rumors note that the testes hang from the body for a reason; they need to be cooler to function properly. By wearing tight underwear, we hold the testes close to the body - thus, potentially raising the internal testicular temperature and decreasing functionality.

Not surprisingly, researchers have studied the link. In fact, back in 1998, Munkelwitz and Gilbert from the University of New York published a study about underwear and fertility titled, “Are Boxer Shorts Really Better?” After studying a number of volunteers, the researchers concluded that there is “no difference in scrotal temperature depending on underwear type” and that it was “unlikely that underwear type has a significant effect on male fertility.” Since testosterone influences sperm count, the research suggests that its levels aren’t influenced by tight underwear. Since then, other studies have come to similar conclusions.

Reduced testosterone levels can be caused by any number of conditions or circumstances, including:

  • Testicular damage
  • Post-puberty mumps
  • Radiation or chemotherapy
  • Testicular tumors
  • HIV/AIDs and other viral infections
  • Genetic conditions

Whether you’re in favor of boxers or briefs, know that it won’t affect your testosterone levels or your ability to build muscle. What you eat and how you work out, on the other hand, will greatly impact your results.

Love,
Davey Wavey

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