'No pants' gym hack explained as expert issues warning over controversial trend

For many people, September is a time to 'reset' after the chaos of summer.

Whether we're still at school or university, or a fully-fledged adult who has been in the throes of the 9 to 5 life for some years now, many of us still see the month of September as the perfect time to commit to a 'fresh start'.

So it's no wonder why so many people are hitting the gym right now.

However, there's a pretty mad trend cropping up all over social media, and it's sparked a very heated debate indeed.

Dubbed a 'gym hack', the trend sees fitness influencers urging others to skip underwear under their leggings and shorts altogether, with the theory being that going without underwear reduces the risk of visible panty lines (VPL) and bunching mid-workout.

An expert has shared her thoughts on the 'no pants' gym trend going viral right now (Getty Stock Images)

New research from lingerie brand Pour Moi found that 1.3 million women are following the trend, reporting that they never or rarely wear underwear when going to the gym.

In a survey of 1,500 UK women, the lingerie experts found that 58% always or often wear underwear underneath their gym pants, with half (50%) saying they always do.

However, 5% of those surveyed reported that they never, or rarely, wear underwear to the gym - and while this may seem like a small figure, this is the equivalent of around 1.3 million women.

According to lingerie buyer Emma Woodrow, the overall findings are reassuring, but women who do wear underwear to the gym need to ensure they’re wearing the correct kind, and women who don’t might want to reconsider.

According to Pour Moi research, 1.3 million women are following the trend, reporting that they never or rarely wear underwear when going to the gym (Getty Stock Images)

Emma explains: "It's promising that most people are sticking with underwear rather than following this trend. However, with the research finding that 1.3 million women aren’t wearing any kind of underwear at the gym, it’s clear this trend has had an effect.

"Going without underwear isn't actually the fix for VPL that TikTok makes it out to be, as leggings aren't nearly as breathable as underwear, so sweat sits directly against the skin inside fabric that isn't washed after every wear, which can lead to irritation."

The underwear expert continued: "That said, most of the problems we blame on underwear, such as bunching, dampness, visible lines and chafing, actually come from choosing the wrong style.

"Cotton underwear is generally recommended for everyday health, but it can sometimes work against you at the gym. Cotton is hydrophilic, meaning it absorbs sweat and holds it against your skin rather than letting it evaporate."

The expert recommended synthetic seamless knickers with a cotton gusset for maximum gym comfort (Getty Stock Images)

Emma's main recommendation for gym-friendly underwear is a pair of synthetic seamless knickers with a cotton gusset.

"As this is seamless, it helps to avoid chafing and reduces the look of visible panty lines, all while the moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from your skin so it dries fast - keeping you cool rather than damp," she said.

Emma added: "Seamless isn't a strict requirement for everyone – for lower-impact workouts like slower yoga, your regular underwear will do the job.

"It just earns its place when you're moving dynamically or sweating a lot."