Why do some people wear tight spandex leggings or shorts when they work out?

Question

My friend Brandon is always jogging every morning, and he wears either Under Armour spandex legging, or spandex compression/biker shorts.

I was wondering why I see people wear tight spandex when they run/jog. Does the compression/tightness provide some kind of added athletic benefits that I'm not aware of?

I just wear either loose shorts or loose jogging pants. But, I've contemplated trying the running tights or spandex shorts.

Answer 1

It really comes down to personal preference, as far as i know.

In the same way that you have 9-inch, 7-inch, 5-inch, and shorter running shorts, there are other styles, such as the tights you've seen.  

Though I haven't run in them, there are some advantages that come with running in tights.  One is that you don't need to worry about resistance from wind as much.  Just like a tight singlet catches less air than a loose t-shirt, spandex tights catch less air than running shorts.  

From what I was told by a teammate, the tights keep him warm when it's cool out, but are very nice because they are sweat-wicking as well.

There are, of course, downsides to tights.  One such downside is that if they tear, you lose the entire layer, whereas in a lined running short, you still may have the liner between your skin and the air.  

Another disadvantage is that it hugs every curve of your body, and as such, it takes a great deal of self-confidence to run in these alone, with nothing over them.

Hope it helps!

~Abab

Answer 2

Shorts with room chafe my skin on my legs. Bike shorts, compression shorts etc.are a barrier between the roomy shorts and my skin. No discomfort on my legs means I can run without  distraction.  

Answer 3

The first answerer that can't be the only reason because many girls wear leggings in cross country races as well! I'm just gonna stick arround to find the answer.

Answer 4

.....

To put it blunty it keeps your d**k from swinging around when you run.

^^ probably against the rules but that is why.

I would suggest wearing spandex (I call them compression shorts) when you run UNDERNEATH a regular pair of shorts. That way it isn't really weird and you are still dressed.

Splits (the long distance running shorts that are REALLY short) usually come with a lining inside them that serves the same purpose.