What to Know About Compression Shorts

By now it seems everyone is getting increasingly curious about compression gear. Encountering bikers, runners, and other athletes on the street, it’s fair to assume at least one will be sporting a pair of skin tight compression shorts, and there is a reason for that. Actually, there are a few.

Although research has been sparse, and at times inconsistent, many professionals agree that there are indeed a great number of benefits to wearing compression gear. The design is founded on indisputable science. In a nutshell, compression gear works to counteract the vibration of muscles during heavy exercise and keep blood flow at an optimal level. The effects of this, however, have been recorded differently for different athletes - but they are always positive.

The well-regarded theory is that compression gear will speed up post-workout recovery. How? Simple. With less vibration and better blood flow, the risk of swelling and soreness is greatly reduced.

For the quads, glutes, and hips, compression shorts can work wonders by squeezing blood back to the heart, which should slow the symptoms of fatigue. For a competitive athlete, fatigue is the difference between winning, and losing; achieving your goals or not.  Some athletes even believe that compression gear enables better performance. Some studies support this theory, suggesting that by slowing the impending threat of fatigue, one can go harder, faster, for longer. Even Redskins Quarterback Robert Griffin III agrees that in his compression gear, he “feels faster.”

A recent Australian study showed that male rugby players wearing compression shorts maintained lower heart rates and developed less lactic acid while running on a treadmill. Another suggested that even oxygen consumption was improved in runners wearing compression gear.

Besides all of the athletic benefits compression apparel boasts, there is also the question of comfort to consider. It’s no secret that people perform better when they are comfortable. While they may not look particularly pleasant to squeeze into, the truth is that many athletes find that the compression shorts cause less friction and chafing - an automatic bonus.

Of course, it makes sense that there are many athletes out there who swear by compression gear. The reported benefits of compression shorts include quick recovery due to stabilized muscles, improved cardiovascular efficiency, increased oxygen flow, breathability, and comfort.

If you are looking to improve your athletic performance, especially at the levels of endurance and recovery, compression apparel is highly recommended. Compression shorts can easily be worn under regular shorts, and will help you physically and mentally prepare for the long-haul.