You’re standing in the locker room, tugging on your compression shorts, and you wonder if that extra layer of cotton or synthetic fabric is actually doing anything besides making you sweat more. It’s a common thought. Many guys—and a growing number of women—are choosing to go commando during their workouts. People call it freeballing in the gym, and while it sounds like a shortcut to laundry day, there is actually a lot of nuance to how it affects your skin, your performance, and, frankly, the equipment you’re sitting on.
It’s a polarizing topic. Some swear by the freedom. Others think it’s a fast track to a staph infection or a public indecency charge.
Honestly, the "right" way to do it depends entirely on your anatomy and the specific fabric of your gym clothes. If you’re wearing thin, heather-grey jersey shorts, you’re basically asking for a wardrobe malfunction. But if you’ve invested in high-end, double-lined 2-in-1 shorts from brands like Lululemon or Ten Thousand, you’re technically already freeballing because those liners are designed to replace underwear.
The Science of Sweat and Chafing
Let’s get into the weeds. Your groin is a hotbed for moisture. When you exercise, the apocrine sweat glands in that area go into overdrive. If you wear standard cotton boxers under your gym shorts, those boxers act like a sponge. They get heavy. They stay wet. This creates the perfect environment for Tinea cruris, which most of us know as jock itch.
Freeballing in the gym can actually help with breathability. Without that extra layer of damp fabric trapped against your skin, air circulates better. However—and this is a big however—friction is the enemy.
Skin-on-skin contact during a five-mile run or a heavy leg day can cause catastrophic chafing. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, often points out that moisture-wicking fabrics are essential for preventing skin breakdown. If your shorts are loose and you aren't wearing underwear, your thighs are going to rub. That leads to intertrigo, a fancy word for a painful, red rash in the skin folds.
Why the fabric choice makes or breaks the experience
Not all shorts are created equal. If you decide to go commando, you have to look at the seams.
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Cheap gym shorts often have thick, raised seams right down the middle. If you’re doing squats or deadlifts, those seams act like a saw against your most sensitive parts. This is why specialized "liner shorts" exist. They use flatlock stitching, which lies flat against the skin to prevent irritation.
- Polyester/Spandex blends: These are your best friend. They pull sweat away from the body.
- Silver-ion technology: Some fabrics are treated with antimicrobial properties to kill the bacteria that causes that "gym funk."
- Nylon: Durable, but can be abrasive if it’s a cheap weave.
The Hygiene Factor and Gym Etiquette
We have to talk about the "ick" factor. It’s unavoidable. When you sit on a weight bench in thin shorts without underwear, there is very little barrier between your body and the equipment.
Gyms are notoriously dirty. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that gym surfaces are frequently contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. If you have any tiny nicks or "micro-tears" from shaving or chafing, and you sit on a bench that wasn't properly wiped down, you’re taking a massive risk.
Then there’s the visibility issue.
Most commercial gyms have a dress code, even if it’s loosely enforced. "Modesty" is a gray area. If your shorts are thin enough that fellow lifters can see the contour of... everything... you might find yourself banned from the local YMCA. It’s about respect for the shared space. No one wants to see more than they signed up for while they're trying to hit a PR on the leg press.
Is there a performance benefit?
Some athletes claim that freeballing in the gym allows for a better range of motion. If your underwear is too tight or bunches up, it can distract you during complex movements like power cleans or snatch balances.
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There is a psychological element, too. Some people just feel more "locked in" when they have fewer layers. It’s a minimalist approach. But if you're a high-impact athlete, the lack of support can be a literal pain. For men, the "Cooper’s ligaments" aren't just in the chest; the scrotum needs some level of containment during explosive movements to prevent discomfort or even minor injury.
What the Pros Actually Do
If you look at professional CrossFitters or MMA fighters, they aren't wearing Hanes boxers. They are using compression gear. Compression gear is essentially a second skin. It provides the support of underwear with the moisture-wicking properties of high-performance athletic wear.
Many people think freeballing means wearing nothing but loose basketball shorts. That’s rarely the case for serious lifters. They’re usually wearing 2-in-1 shorts where the liner is built-in. This gives you the feeling of going commando while maintaining a layer of protection and hygiene.
Common Misconceptions
"It's cleaner because there's one less layer of dirty laundry."
Actually, it’s dirtier for your shorts. Your shorts are now absorbing everything that your underwear normally would. You must wash your shorts after every single session. No "hanging them up to dry" for round two tomorrow."It causes hernias."
This is an old wives' tale. Not wearing underwear doesn't cause a hernia. Hernias are caused by internal pressure and weak spots in the abdominal wall, usually from improper lifting technique or genetics."Everyone will notice."
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Actionable Steps for a Better Workout
If you're going to try it, don't just wing it.
Start by checking the opacity of your shorts. Stand in front of a bright light or a window and do a deep squat in the mirror. If you can see skin through the fabric, don't wear them without underwear.
Next, invest in a "friction stick" or anti-chafe balm. Applying a quick swipe to your inner thighs can prevent 90% of the discomfort associated with freeballing. Brands like BodyGlide or even simple petroleum jelly work wonders.
Lastly, be a decent human being and wipe down the equipment. Use the disinfectant spray and the paper towels provided by the gym. Wipe the seat before you sit down and after you finish your set. This isn't just for your protection; it's for the next person who doesn't want to come into contact with your direct sweat.
If you find that you're constantly adjusting yourself or feeling "exposed," it’s okay to go back to underwear. Synthetic, seamless athletic trunks are a great middle ground. They offer the support and protection you might be missing without the bulk of traditional boxers.
The goal of any gym session is to focus on the lift, not the lint in your nether regions. Choose the setup that makes you forget you're wearing clothes at all, so you can focus on the heavy metal in front of you.