Is It OK Not to Wear Underwear When You Work Out? (Video)

To go commando or not? Some people wear undies to the gym and other don’t. Experts are now explaining which is best! Lindsey Granger has more:

You might feel the urge to ditch the panties and go bare in your leggings before heading to spin class—no panty lines or wedgies to worry about—but is that really such a good idea? Do you risk any gross side effects happening down there? Will it make you smell more? Can you wear your leggings again before tossing them in the laundry? When it comes to maintaining a healthy vagina, there’s no such thing as TMI.

Go Ahead, Go Commando

First, is it safe to not wear underwear when you work out? Yep. Nothing too serious health-wise is going to happen, says Alyssa Dweck, M.D., an ob-gyn in New York. It boils down to an individual preference, and results can depend on the intensity of the workout, says Dr. Dweck. “Some women prefer to go commando during running, elliptical, spinning, kickboxing, etc., which affords less chafing, less visible lines in tighter workout clothes, and gives a sense of more mobility and flexibility,” she says. So, if underwear and extra fabric are rubbing you the wrong way (literally) during your workout, going commando might actually have performance benefits.