# Ladies, do you ever go commando while exercising? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068 "2012-07-13T00:32:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/41 "2012-07-15T12:00:13Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Of all the things a poster named Karl might say, this one ranks right up there on the list of “Most Surprising.” But hey, I’m not here to judge. 🙂 😉 Certainly female. And yes, always underwear (except the exercise is in the water, then I have a swimsuit). ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/42 "2012-07-15T17:19:40Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Wow. It never even occurred to me not to wear underwear when working out. I’m surprised how many ladies go without. Don’t you get… you know, chafing? As far as padded bike shorts are concerned, you get more chafing with undies than without. Way more seams in the undies than in the shorts in that area. I did not know at first that you weren’t supposed to wear undies under bike shorts. Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/43 "2012-07-16T02:25:44Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > I own about 60 or so pairs of panties (thanks coupons and free promotions!). I own, at the most, 2 exercise leggings. I do not own a washer and dryer. So yes, I do wear underwear everytime I exercise. Almost exactly what I was going to post, except I have maybe 15 undies, exactly 2 pairs of bike shorts and I do own a washer and dryer but only like to do wash on the weekends. If I had enough pairs of bike shorts to wear a fresh one each day, yeah I guess commando would be fine, but as it is the underpants are necessary. With a change of underclothes I can hang the shorts up and they’ll be fresh enough for 2-3 more rides or gym visits, otherwise not so much. And underpants are cheaper and more versatile than bike shorts, so I don’t feel the need to change my habits. Directly to the OP’s question though, I see no reason why the opposite approach would be a problem as long as the workout pants are opaque, don’t have inconvenient seams, and are washed and dried thoroughly after each use. ETA: I really don’t give a crap about VPL when I’m exercising - I’m not out there to impress. I respect that others may feel differently and this may influence you one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/44 "2012-07-16T07:08:03Z")
I am not a female and I go commando in bike shorts because that is how they’re designed to be worn (chamoise wicks sweat from the groin area and the lack of underwear seams reduces chafing.) on the other hand, my partner is female and she does wear underwear. She’s not bothered by VPL, and wearing underwear with her bike shorts has never caused her problems so she hasnt had reason to change. If you go the non underwear route, go for dark coloured shorts please ;). ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/45 "2012-07-16T15:20:49Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > I never wear underwear when I work out. I wear what the OP describes. The fabric is breathable (so no risk of infection). > > **Dogzilla** what is the problem with your students not wearing underwear? Is it a visual thing or smell thing? It’s a visual thing. What I teach is very similar to coaching gymnastics. My face could be inches away from a student’s vag when I have to spot certain moves. It’s also a “keep your girly juices off the equipment, please,” and yes, having the girly bits in extremely intimate proximity to the equipment is unavoidable. I’ve taught ladies who were going commando and were experiencing leakage and unaware of it. Bleargh. At least plug it up if you’re not going to wear something underneath. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/46 "2012-07-16T16:13:27Z")
I never wear underwear under my workout pants. I don’t wear them with my padded cycling shorts either. Never had a chafing problem. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/47 "2012-07-16T22:43:50Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > I’ve taught ladies who were going commando and were experiencing leakage and unaware of it. Bleargh. At least plug it up if you’re not going to wear something underneath. Wait, are you suggesting they use a tampon when it’s not their period? I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068/48 "2012-07-17T14:29:13Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Wait, are you suggesting they use a tampon when it’s not their period? I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to do that. Well, I was actually suggesting they wear something underneath, but if people insist on going commando I’d rather not be exposed to their vaginal discharge. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-do-you-ever-go-commando-while-exercising/628068.md?page=2)