A woman has called out an apparent trend involving people not wearing underwear under gym leggings.
The heated debate surrounding gym etiquette reignited when Aussie Laura Henshaw asked her podcast co-host and fellow fitness influencer, Steph Claire-Smith, the age-old question: "Do you wear undies with your workout gear?"
Speaking on their podcast, KIC, the pair delved into the subject matter and exactly why they were so grossed out by it in the first place.
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Getting straight to it, Laura asked Steph: "Do you wear undies with your workout gear?"
Clearly a hot topic at the moment, Steph immediately replied: "Yes! I had to ask you this, too! I know people who don't! Wait, are you about to say you don’t?"
Quickly confirming that she does in fact don a pair of pants under her gym leggings, Laura joked: "I would get thrush! I would get thrush!"
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Steph responded: "Thank you! I agree! I don't understand how that's possible!"
Laura then asked: "How many of you wear underwear with your leggings? And if you don't, how do you [...]"
"I have dreams about forgetting to wear underwear. Like nightmares, not dreams," she went on.
Steph then started to theorise what some people's reasoning would be for going au naturel at the gym.
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"Like if it's a look thing like you don't want the lining of your undies sticking out? Is it because you haven't found the right seamless thing? Or do you actually find it more comfortable not wearing underwear? That's what I'm not sure about," she wondered.
"Imagine jeans!" Laura concluded.
Laughing, Steph replied: "Why have you gone there?!"
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The podcast, which was later shared on Laura's Instagram account to her 316k followers, went on to clock up thousands upon thousands of likes with dozens of comments from people eager to share their verdict on the matter.
Some were in total agreement with the podcast host with one Instagram user writing: "I couldn’t even imagine not wearing them.
"I can understand people that say they’re more comfy etc etc BUT what about the hygiene reason / health stuff that goes on down there? Ughhh I can’t imagine!"
A second added: "I can think of nothing creepier than dudes at the gym knowing that I’m not wearing underwear. Panty lines for the win because I’d rather not have em guessing/thinking about it."
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"Undies all the way!" declared a third. "I’m a runner and get very sweaty, plus the undies stop the seam of my tights rolling up my butt or bits. Surely the non undie wearers aren’t sweating that much?! Plus what are y’all doing on your period?"
Many, however, couldn't have disagreed with Laurie any more.
One Instagram user who has been 'undie free since 2017' revealed: "Soooo much more comfy then having a constant wedgie!!
"I also don’t wear them in everyday life either. (Skirts n dresses if above knee yes) and it’s given me sooo much more of a stronger pelvic floor n everything (yes that means no discharge 'falling out')."
A second admitted: "I don’t!!!!! Wayyyyyy more comfortable, I can’t start wearing undies."
"Leggings nowadays are so seamless that I don’t need to wear undies," disclosed another. "It helps with getting wedgies or fixing undies mid run (hate doing that).
"I haven’t worn them since 2020 and I absolutely love that I can move freely in my tights. Also I’d never wear the tights again.
"They go directly in the laundry after being worn once."
A fourth echoed: "I’ve been flying commando for a decade. Let the lady parts breathe!!!!"
One Instagram user went as far as to name exactly who allegedly gave her the idea to go underwear-free when hitting the gym.
They commented: "Haha I don’t! So much more comfortable, no lines under my pants. Khloe Kardashian told me to do it so I did and I haven’t looked back!"
Others took the opportunity to raise some key concerns surrounding the situation with one gym-goer asking: "Does anyone else just have the fear that one day your pants might split?"
A fair point was raised indeed.
What are your thoughts?
Rhiannon Ingle