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LifestyleHealth & Wellness

A brief guide to choosing the right underwear for workouts, and mistakes to avoid

Women’s health experts explain the issues caused down there by sweat and friction during exercise and the best materials for preventing them

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We have trainers, leggings and sports bras designed specifically for exercise and sweating – but should we also be thinking about what kinds of underwear to wear? Photo: Shutterstock
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Most of us probably would not contemplate going for a run in jeans or tackling a HIIT class in an everyday bra, yet the underwear beneath our gym kit tends to receive considerably less thought.

But with sweat, friction and tight-fitting gym clothes all potentially affecting intimate skin, perhaps it deserves more consideration. From moisture-wicking seamless briefs to plastic-free thongs, there are now plenty of pairs designed – or marketed – specifically for exercise, but do we actually need designated “workout underwear”, and could your trusty cotton underwear be doing more harm than good during a sweaty session?

Experts explain what happens when we sweat down there, which fabrics perform best and the underwear mistakes to avoid at the gym.

Can the wrong underwear cause thrush or a UTI?

There is an important distinction between causing an infection and creating conditions that may contribute to irritation.

“Tight, sweaty clothing combined with repetitive movement can cause rubbing and irritation of the delicate vulval skin, particularly in women who are already prone to eczema, dermatitis or vulval conditions,” says Dr Nikki Ramskill, women’s health doctor and founder of The Female Health Doctor clinic in the UK. “Thrush tends to thrive in warm, moist environments, so staying in damp, non-breathable clothing for prolonged periods may contribute to conditions that favour yeast overgrowth in women who are susceptible.”

But she stresses that sweaty underwear does not directly cause urinary tract infections.

“UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, so sweaty underwear itself isn’t a direct cause of a UTI,” Ramskill says. “However, changing out of damp clothing and maintaining sensible vulval hygiene is worthwhile, particularly if you’re someone who experiences recurrent infections.”
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