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A 5-minute search online will quickly reveal to you that compression gear can offer tons of benefits. Regardless of whether you’re looking to improve your running performance or treat any potential injuries, there are claims that compression gear is just the thing you need. When it comes to running, compression shorts seem to stick out more than most. So today I found myself wondering, how exactly are compression shorts good for running?
Compression shorts can help runners in numerous different ways. Examples include reducing fatigue, reducing the risk of injury, and maintaining good posture. Runners looking to use compression shorts for running should make sure they are using a size, design, and style that benefits them the most.
To figure out how exactly compression shorts can help you, I looked into the main benefits that compression shorts have on runners, what the science says, and the personal feelings that runners have about compression shorts.
By the way, if you want to learn more about running shorts in general, I’ve written an entire guide on them which you can find here.
Benefits of Compression Shorts
Running shorts can be split up into three main categories – compression shorts, V-Notch shorts, and split-leg shorts. You can learn about the benefits of each by checking out this guide I wrote. However, for the sake of this article, we’ll look at just the benefits of compression shorts below:
Could help reduce injury and increase performance
Simply put, compression can make muscles warm. According to experts, as muscles warm up, it makes it easier for blood to flow through them. This means it’s easier for oxygen to get around the body, which increases endurance. Furthermore, improved circulation can help reduce lactic acid.
Reduce Fatigue
In addition to reducing injury, the warmth that compression shorts provide helps to reduce shaking. As a runner’s endurance improves and the risk of injury is reduced, it makes the process of running much easier, which means you’re a lot less likely to feel tired at the end of a run. This is especially useful for those who are training for a big race or sprint and don’t want to feel as if they’ve overdone it.
Better Stabilization
Compression shorts help act as a support system for the muscles and joints. This is especially useful for trail runners or fell runners who are likely to jump, dip and dive throughout their runs. Think of compression shorts as a brace that will help support your hip’s movements as you go from stride to stride.
Less Drag
If you’re a sprinter, compression shorts could save you a few precious fractions of a second. Compression shorts are designed to be skin-tight. So it’s a much better idea to wear them when compared to their baggy alternatives if speed is the aim of the game.
Downsides To Compression Shorts For Running
Despite the many benefits that compression shorts (and compression gear in general) can provide, there are still a few problems that running in compression shorts can cause.
Chafing
Chafing is very common amongst runners. Surprisingly, there is a lot of controversy around whether or not compression shorts actually help or increase chafing.
I wrote an article on whether or not running shorts in general can increase or prevent chafing. You can find it here. After holding a poll online it seemed that runners were more or less 50/50 for and against running shorts causing chafing. So it seems like it comes down to factors like the preference of each individual runner.
Compression shorts can act as a second skin for runners. If this second skin is made of high-quality sporting materials and comes with a great design you may not need to worry about compression shorts causing chafing.
However, if you sweat excessively around your groin area and your compression shorts consistently ride up or rub around your thighs, this could increase your chances of chafing.
Too Restrictive
Compression shorts work by putting pressure on muscles. Whilst a little pressure is good, too much pressure can recuse the flexibility of a runner and make it significantly harder to move. Not only can this make it harder to move, but runners can also find the pressure that compression shorts apply is uncomfortable. On some occasions, compression shorts can be so tight that they even leave areas of a runner’s body feeling numb.
What The Science Says
There have been numerous studies that have looked into the benefits that compression gear in general can have on a runner’s body and their performance.
- This study from Sports Medical looked into performance and recovery for a group of runners after they armed themselves with full compression gear. After analyzing the results, it turned out that compression shorts can slightly improve running performance by changing running temperature and improving economy. However, it seems they didn’t have an impact on things like muscle pain, damage, and inflammation.
- There was also this study by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning which looked at the effects of compression stockings on performance. By taking 21 male athletes who had been running for a minimum of 4 years and arming them with compression stockings, this study found that there is a notable improvement in performance. However, this could be down to the runners feeling more aped up and motivated after wearing the compression stockings.
- On the other hand, this study from the Journal of Sports Sciences took 15 well-trained endurance athletes and monitored the differences that compression clothing could make on their workouts. The results showed that, after monitoring things like oxygen uptake and arterial lactate concentration, the compression gear didn’t make a huge difference.
It seems clear that whilst there is some evidence to support the idea that compression gear in general can be great for running performance, there is still a lot up for debate.
Want to hear more from professionals about the impact that compression shorts can have on running? Check out this video below from the guys at Runners World.
Why Do Runners Wear Compression Shorts?
The studies above give us a pretty good idea of what the science says about using compression gear for running. But what do runners think? I headed on to an online running forum to find out. The results are in.
“Hey runners, what are your thoughts on using compression shorts for running?”
Underdog Running
“I dislike that they are often more expensive/sometimes not as cute or flattering
But I like that they cannot be eaten by my thighs. I really, really like that.”
Impossibly_Hungry
“Compression? No thank you. But bike-short length leggings-style shorts? Almost always. Chaffing is a cruel mistress to those of us with powerful thighs.”
opholar
“Depends on what I’m doing. Threshold or interval work I hate them – give me 2” splits. Long runs on the other hand, depending on the time of year, I like compression.”
Cmlvrvs
“They don’t chafe so much. Chafing really hurts after a while.”
CatKungFu
Running In Just Compression Shorts
Running shorts are skin-tight and many runners choose to wear compression shorts as an underlayer – especially in the winter. With this in mind, you may be wondering if it’s ok to run in compression shorts and nothing else.
As a general rule, running in only compression clothing is no different than running in regular running clothing. Whilst compression gear is a lot tighter than other kinds of running clothing, it is generally socially accepted just as much.
You may have some concerns about the way that you look when running in just compression clothing. This can often be the case if you’re slightly overweight. But I would say don’t let this stop you. Most of the time people nobody is as interested in what you’re wearing as you are.
For example, I once carried out a poll asking runners whether or not they thought it was acceptable to run without a shirt. Out of the 370 runners who voted, more than 58% agreed it was fine. You can check out the full article here. But it’s worth noting that if it’s generally ok to run without a shirt, then it should be fine to run in only compression gear.
Best Kinds Of Compression Shorts
There are dozens of compression shorts that you should consider trying out. But I think that the following are a couple of great examples!
Workout Ready Compression Briefs
These brilliant compression briefs by Reebok have been made with a quick-drying mesh build which means that runners who experience issues with chafing can feel safe in knowing that sweat won’t stick around for long. If that wasn’t enough, the side leg has angled seams which are designed to offer a runner plenty of comfort whilst receiving all the benefts of compression.
Reebok Men’s Workout Ready Compression Briefs in Black Size L – Training Clothing
Want to learn more about running shorts? Click here!
