What to Wear to the Gym?

Hey, it's me again. The least model-esque writer on this blog. But I'm back, and I'm still on my quest to lose my belly. I'll never be as rail-thin as UMan, but I don't have to be twice his size, either. Just an update - as of this week, I have lost 34lbs from when I started tracking last summer, and I am about to hit my first-stage goal. Now, if only I could wave a magic wand and make that stubborn, beastly muffin top disappear overnight...

Anywho... So we opened a new wellness center/workout facility in my little corner of nowheresville, and I've started working out a few times a week. My running pace is crummy compared to where I left off last fall, but it feels good to stretch my legs, even if it's just on the treadmill. I haven't worked with weights in years, so that's nice, too.

What that brings me to is this: What does an average joe wear to work out in? And specifically, what kind of underpants does one wear for running? I've asked UMan this, and he's one of those sickeningly thin people who doesn't have to work out, so that was a bust. So I'm going to talk about three pairs I have recently worn to the gym, and how they worked for me.

First is a Calvin Klein jockstrap. I have had this one for years, and it is the only "street" jock I own. It is mostly cotton, but it is wicked comfy (although it may not have enough room for someone as gifted as UMan). As far as workout wear goes, it does the job, and it didn't get all sweaty. I think I could like working out in jockstraps like this, if I had more of them. What do you gentlemen wear for running undies? Do you, O Reader, have any recommendations for running jocks that don't cost a fortune?

Second is a pair of UnderArmour 6" BoxerJock. These are entirely synthetic fabric, and they have a ventilated pouch. I like these, especially for running outdoors on a cool day. I wish they actually made my basket look like the guys in their ads, but I suspect I haven't got enough "padding" for that. I think I'd rather wear a jock more often than this pair, though.

Third is a pair I just got recently - a Jockey Sport H-fly trunk. The fabric makes the same claims as most athletic underwear - form-fitting, sweat-wicking, and so on. They feel nice, and I really like the way the H-fly pouch holds my bits, and makes my bulge look. They're good, but nothing super-spectacular in terms of workout wear.

So... What are your recommendations for undies for running? For gym wear?

New Brand: Undertoys

Undertoys is a fairly new brand of underwear that is inspired by children's underwear. It is similar to Ginch Gonch but with a lower price point (just $20 a pair) and no sexual innuendo. There are currently only five styles of underwear, but there are plans to expand the line. The website is also very fun and childlike. You have to shoot at the sizes you want in order to place an order. The brain behind this new line is Daniel Fryer, here's an exclusive insight into how he was inspired to start this line and how he managed to get it off its feet:

I got the idea when I saw this kid proudly holding a pair of fighter plane undies in Big W. I thought they looked pretty cool and wished they came in men's sizes. So bounced the idea off a few mates who agreed with me and so i started doing my research. I wanted to put the fun back into wearing undies.

I was only 22 at the time, 23 now, and i came to the conclusion that I'd need money to start this thing up and like any person my age – i had none.

A few weeks later I entered a competition called 'Nescafe BigBreak' – for young people with big ideas. Anyway, my idea made it through to the final 14 of 4,500 people from Australia and New Zealand. From that i won a little cash to get things started.

So I scrimped and saved and designed a few pairs, then got my first order made.

I received my first shipment late Jan this year and have been selling ever since. I've got a few stores around Australia, plus the website.