Is It Rude to Show Your Bulge When You're Working Out?

The clothes we wear have become as streamlined as the gadgets we use, especially in activewear, but one thing you may not have considered when getting dressed is “does my bulge look big in this?” Yes, we get it, as if re-immersing yourself back into society wasn’t hard enough, you now have to be aware of if you’re exposing too much, too soon. Now don’t get us wrong, this has always been a concern especially if you work hard and likes to show off your physique however now there is a new element to take into account because you’ve probably undergone a reconditioning period, where you’ve become accustomed to the freedom of dressing and acting without fear of judgment. So if that sounds familiar, you may need to retrain your brain and be a little more considerate the next time you decide to work out in public (especially in the gym) because just because you may feel comfortable, doesn’t mean everyone around you is too. RELATED: How to Start Working Out For a majority of us, the swift swap from wearing regular clothing to slipping into soft, cozy, and stretchy fabrics was easy, because no one had the strength to endure yet another restriction, especially if the enforcer was our clothes. So now that gyms are open, switching to smooth sportswear that snugly fits like a second layer of skin sounds supportive, right? Well, it depends. The evolution of gym wear has come a long way, thanks to technology and science which has helped facilitate everyone from Olympic athletes to mere exercise enthusiasts, to perform at their best with lightweight, breathable, and astonishingly thin ply. On the other hand, less fabric can often mean less visible protection, meaning a higher chance of noticeable erect nips, VPLs (visible penis lines and also panty lines), and camel toe whilst you are getting in the zone. Although is this a bad thing or part of human nature? We took a poll with a range of people to see whether they personally felt comfortable revealing or concealing their body parts and even though the results leaned more towards concealing, most added it was based on personal preference not based on the judgment of others. Kelly Newton, the founder of Bp3 Underwear created her brand out of necessity because she plays hockey, works out several times a week, and “basically lives in tight gym legging but hates VPL [visible panty lines]” and that’s why it was so important for her to offer a product that provides comfort and support whether her customers are PMSing and just living an active lifestyle. Newton also added that since launching, all her customers have often been pleasantly surprised and celebrated that the fact that her underwear has no VPL and hides their camel toes — which is great that she is plugging a gap in the market but it’s a shame that we’ve got to this stage where we find it a bonus to not look as if we’re wearing a normal item of clothing that most of us do every day. However, if you think this sort of prudence is only directed at women (even though for the most part, it often is) think again, as a quick search online using keywords such as “men, gym, and bulge” will have you inundated with threads from Reddit, Quora, and Twitter on debates such as whether ‘men should wear running leggings without wearing shorts on top’ and ‘how to hide your penis whilst wearing gym shorts’. Oh, and how could we forget the number of Buzzfeed articles dedicated to the ‘best celebrity bulges’ and ‘relatable problems for guys with big bulges’. For some reason, we just seem to be obsessed with what we can’t see or be offended by what other people have to offer. If You're in Need of Extra Support and Coverage Below the Belt The thickness of sports pants is decreasing, it’s a fact; and following at its tailgate is the amount of coverage available, as brands focus their attention on producing durable and moisture-resist items, not sparing a second thought for the conservatives out there. So whether you’re a grower or a shower, investing in items that include built-it soft cups or jockstraps and, wearing compression underwear can give you peace of mind because no one wants to look like John Travolta in Perfect, no-body. Although if you have been gifted with a package that is reminiscent of Adam Demos’ character in that unforgettable gym shower scene, then you’ll need reinforcements such as double layered pants, netted shorts, and – you guessed it – your new best-friend, compression clothing. See, you should never feel discouraged from exercising for fear of feeling exposed, no matter what your age, and wearing compression clothing allows you to feel protected whilst doing so. Also, studies have shown that wearing either compartmental (made for specific body parts and sports) or graduated (used during workouts for the core) compression helps increase blood flow circulation, prevent swelling and inflammation, and speed up recovery after intense workouts. What about days when you’ve forgotten to prep or just need external reassurance when you’re deadlifting? Why not try a dick towel, for size, favored by “The Rock” for helping him wipe his sweaty hands during reps and worn “always tucked in the front, mid-waistband, and hanging betwixt the hip bones” as described in detail by Jezebel's Tracy Clark-Floryby, it’s great for spur of the moment sessions. Is There a Bulge Etiquette? It’s fascinating how judgmental some of us can be when it comes to bulges and we understand, there is a time and a place to reveal your inner exhibitionist, but when you are going about your business and trying not to draw attention to yourself, why should someone feel the need to call you out, on being able to see something on your body? On a recent Reddit/Twitter thread, a man shared his story of how on two different occasions, when he was wearing compression shorts in the gym, he was approached by two women who deemed his choice of pants inappropriate but added that no one else including the gym staff approached him, so he took to AITA to see if he was in the wrong. Now, let’s imagine this scenario was reversed and a man commented on a woman’s visible nips or camel toe and told her how she should cover up, it wouldn’t be okay, so why is it the case vice versa? In situations like this, it’s best to be considerate because for most people exercise is a form of therapy and an outlet to help them clear their minds. Also, exercise and body image can be delicate and often trigger sore spots, so it’s advised to be mindful because we aren’t aware of what’s going on in someone else’s life, so if someone has taken the steps to workout to potentially escape from their current situation, the last thing they need is to feel insecure about a normal part of the human anatomy. We all have sexual organs and we shouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable about the fact and as long, as it’s not popping out unwarrantedly to say hello or touching you unsolicitedly, we should embrace our bodies because we weren’t made in a factory and shouldn’t be striving to resemble unrealistic smooth and seamless body standards. You Might Also Dig: Best Personal Trainer Apps Best Streaming Workouts Experts Reveal the Most Common At-Home Workout Mistakes