The Best Gym Shorts for Your Fitness Journey

• Inseam: 7-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex

Most of us don’t have the budget — or time — for 12 different pairs of shorts for 12 different activities. We’d prefer one pair of shorts we can wear for virtually every athletic pursuit. If that describes you, the Interval is a perfect silhouette. Featuring a thick no-pinch waistband, a few well-placed pockets and an ultra-wicking shell (plus a comfy liner for $10 more), these shorts easily accommodate kettlebell swings, med ball tosses, box jumps and bench presses. Every detail is painstakingly considered, leading to a pair of shorts you don’t have to think twice about. “The simplicity and refined minimalist details are what I love the most,” says Mike Aidala, personal coach and founder of the MAST Method.

• Inseam: 7-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 80% Nylon, 12% Polyester, 9% Spandex

These impressive shorts take the brand’s popular Luka lineup and beef up the durability through a diamond ripstop fabric that’s prime for pushing limits in training. We also like the laser-cut perforations at the rear, giving each lift and set a nice sense of breathability. Lined and linerless options are available in the Luka HD shorts, but be warned — the liners are compression, so don’t expect the same support and snugness you typically rely on from your other compression shorts.

• Inseam: 9-inch
• Materials: 100% Polyester

If you’re more focused on building a rotation of gym shorts for weeks of in-gym use, consider these classic, no frills bottoms from Under Armour. We’ve had plenty of these 9-inch models over the years and always enjoy the comfort of the Tech Mesh fabric. Plus, there’s ample coverage without being too obnoxious across the thighs and knees, which helps promote maneuverability in varied training scenarios. These shorts will begin to fray if you’re not washing them with some added care, so to preserve your shorts lineups as best as possible, pay attention to the laundry instructions.

• Inseam: 5-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 100% Polyester Stretch Ripstop with a DWR Finish

Technically sound and ready for the road, Patagonia delivers, once again, with these top-tier running shorts. The Strider Pros are Fair Trade-Certified sewn and feature a polyester stretch ripstop body fabric that’s durable and water-repellent. One of the key highlights from testing was the external drawcord that allowed for a custom fit without that pesky bunching around your belly button. And when our miles took our training far into the evening, a reflective logo along the front-center hem helped us stay visible to oncoming traffic and other passersby.

• Inseam: 7-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex

We already trust Gymreapers for our weightlifting belts and other accessories, so it makes sense that the gym-minded brand absolutely kills it with these squat-ready shorts. We like how the four-way stretch fabric gives and moves through full range of motion, and the convenient zippered pocket is also a plus for keeping our smartphone or earbuds close by. We’ve also ran these shorts through multiple wash cycles and experienced no signs of wear and tear. These are linerless bottoms, though, with no option for a built-in brief. This wasn’t a negative for us, but could deter some athletes.

• Inseam: 6-inch
• Materials: 85% Nylon. 15% Elastane

Nobull’s no stranger to CrossFit, and the brand’s presence in the discipline is only magnified by these worthwhile Micro Ripstop Shorts. We found the 6-inch inseam to provide just the right amount of coverage and also found the nylon fabric to be durable across box jumps, rope climbs, wall slams and more. Plus, the four-way stretch doesn’t impede your maneuverability, which is a definite perk when sprinting from circuit to circuit. If you can, though, it may be wise to train with some headphones in, as the fabric can rustle at times and may become distracting.

• Inseam: 5-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: Shell: 86% Nylon, 14% Elastane / Liner: 89% Polyester, 11% Spandex

Tackling some plyometrics in your normal workout routine? Consider these training-ready bottoms from Tracksmith boasting a soft, lightweight, performance fabric that easily moves with you whether changing direction, changing paces or just skipping into a new set. We love the on-skin feel of these shorts, and the added brief liner is another added touch that harkens to the brand’s running routes. The 5-inch inseam allows for excellent mobility through multiple training modalities, but Tracksmith also offers the Session Shorts in a 7-inch cut for added coverage. Unfortunately, however, the liner isn’t compression-based, meaning you may experience a baggier fit than other shorts in this roundup.

• Inseam: 7-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 86% Recycled Polyester, 14% Elastane

For athletes that favor an unlined profile, Lululemon delivers its impressive Pace Breaker Shorts with key updates across the silhouette. Thanks to a reimagined cut, these shorts now feature more room across the hips and thighs. This was a nice experience in training, as previous iterations of this short gave off a somewhat uncomfortable snugness that proved distracting at times. The Pace Breaker Linerless silhouette also comes equipped with a side zippered pocket for improved storage capabilities, but admittedly, the zipper can be a little tricky to navigate on the fly. It’s best to stop your task if you want to efficiently open and close this pocket without ruining the clasp.

• Inseam: 7-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 90% Polyester, 10% Elastane

While there’s plenty of shorts in this roundup that are multifaceted, our tester couldn’t find a discipline where the Rhone Mako Tech shorts didn’t perform exceptionally well. We like these bottoms for everything from hard-nosed squat sessions to relaxed and blissful yoga flows, and the four-way stretch perfectly creates that profile that moves with you in every exercise. While our tester did notice some uncomfortable rubbing at the waistband on a few occasions due to the thick drawcord pronounced in the build, we still admire how these do-it-all shorts can truly do it all.

• Inseam: 7-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 80% Recycled Polyester, 20% Elastane

Seriously, these are some cozy training shorts. The lightweight polyester blend sits effortlessly across the thighs during movement, but what we really admired in testing was the Stay-Put waistband. The soft material keeps everything in-place without digging into the hips, and the flat interior drawstring also eliminates any bulging knots from imprinting along your midriff. The Apex Hybrid Shorts are available in 5- and 7-inch inseams, but sadly, the available colorways aren’t universal across these cuts. This lineup is still rather new to the Gymshark stable, though, so hopefully offerings improve as this Apex family ages.

• Inseam: 5.5-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: Shell: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex / Liner: 85% Polyester, 15% Spandex

Pre-workout isn’t the only thing that can give your training a jolt of energy. Take these impressive lined shorts from Chubbies. Falling right in-line with the brand’s vibrant motif, the Ultimate Training Shorts are available in a variety of flashy styles that can easily boost your confidence when tackling a notebook’s worth of exercises. We enjoyed the comfort of the snug yet cozy compression liner that didn’t completely strangle our thighs during workouts, and the double-layered waistband rides perfectly across the midsection. While some might prefer a more subdued aesthetic, for our money, these shorts are the perfect amount of flair.

• Inseam: 7-inch
• Materials: Outer Shell: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex / Inner: 91% Nylon, 9% Spandex

These shockingly affordable shorts boast handy features such as lightweight, breathable fabric, an inner compression liner (with added phone pocket) and four-way stretch. But the reason they earn their unique superlative is simple: a designated waist-loop on the back left is perfect for stashing a workout towel or, you know, your workout shirt. These are a little thicker than other shorts on this list, but don’t let that deter you from rocking these ready-to-go bottoms that are prime for showing off your gains.

• Inseam: 10-inch
• Materials: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex

Not quite ready for the Spandex, next-to-skin look? These clever shorts employ zippers and Velcro straps to convert from form-fittingly close to comfortably loose in seconds. For an extra $60, you can score a combo deal with the Liberator liner and enjoy some critical long-distance padding, too.

• Inseam: 6-inch
• Materials: 100% Polyester

Okay, so maybe you’re an athlete that needs to work in a gym session in-between morning Zoom meetings and emails. Well, to make your at-home work more accommodating, and your laundry hamper less full, we recommend these comfy Solotex Mesh shorts from Reigning Champ. Whether sitting in a desk chair or sitting at their rowing machine, our tester loved the breathable comfort of these stylish yet performance-ready bottoms. While not the best pick for intense training (the smooth knit reverse can get hot during grueling exercises), if you want a short that’s all business — pun intended — look no further.

Editor’s Note: If you like the luxe aesthetic of Reigning Champ but want a more training-oriented short silhouette, we also recommend the brand’s Dot Air Running Shorts that feature a built-in liner and four-way stretch.

• Inseam: 3-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: AFO: 88% Recycled Polyester, 12% Elastane / Liner: 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex

As our top pick for long-distance running shorts, these bottoms have exceptional breathability thanks to a deep split up the outer seam. What does this mean for training purposes? Cooler temps, greater range of motion and plenty of thigh. Our tester notably spent a majority of their time in these shorts along their favorite outdoor running routes, but also took in some training sessions in the gym as well. The performance shone through in every scenario, and if you’re confident enough to show this much skin when training, these can be the ultimate exclamation point in any wardrobe.

• Inseam: 7.5-inch (other inseam lengths available)
• Materials: 46% Recycled Polyester, 44% Polyester, 10% Elastane

For poses like downward dog and warrior II, you want to keep things classy with a liner. These shorts, from laidback-California-cool brand Vuori, not only offer a breathable boxer-brief liner, but they’re also uber-comfortable thanks to quick-drying four-way stretch fabric and a roomier fit. We felt no discomfort when changing poses on our yoga mats, and a helpful anti-odor treatment keeps you from stinking up the studio, too.

• Inseam: N/A
• Materials: 100% Polyester

Take your play above the rim in these stylish court essentials. Made from breathable, lightweight, sweat-wicking mesh, these shorts hark back to Jordan’s playing days with the iconic diamond side panels and added heritage-inspired details throughout. Convenient side pockets are a good place to put your hands, too — when they aren’t mimicking the “I don’t know” shrug after draining too many 3s, of course.

• Inseam: N/A
• Materials: 100% Polyester

Named after the Italian word for flavor, the Condivo 20s should add a little spice to your weekend kick-arounds. The lightweight and breathable AEROREADY fabric will have you zipping around the pitch like a young Roberto Baggio. They're versatile enough for other activities, too, like watching soccer and playing FIFA.