Engaging in a satisfying workout session has the potential to enhance your mood and regulate your hormones and having a good pair of activewear for the gym can enhance this accomplishment. However, one of the biggest issues that gym girls face when it comes to workout pants is the appearance of camel toe. Constantly having people stare at you in the gym or while jogging can be distracting.
As someone who has faced the frustration of dealing with a camel toe while striving for that summer body, I understand how important it is to find effective solutions, and I bet you would love to know how to avoid camel toe with workout pants.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my first-hand experiences and tips that have helped me bid farewell to this common faux pas once and for all, but first, let’s talk about what causes camel toe in workout pants.
What Causes Camel Toe In Workout Pants?
1. Perspiration
Sweat from working out can cause your clothing to cling to various parts of your body, including your labia. This can result in the visible wedge that we all dread. It doesn’t help that most workout activewear is made of stretchy materials that are tight fitting, coupled with perspiration; they make a perfect recipe for camel toe.
2. Low quality fabric
Light fabrics do not provide enough support for physical activities. They crease, squeeze and can get into the crevices pretty easily, not to mention they are likely to be sheer as well, making the crotch very visible.
3. Wrong size of pants
When pants are of the wrong size, it can present a number of concerns, especially if it is too small. Pants that are smaller than they should be will press on every curve on the body, causing a camel toe appearance.
4. Physical activities
Working out involves dynamic body movements like stretching, squatting, lunges and so on; these repetitive motions can cause the fabric of the pants to gather, leading to a camel toe
5. Shaving your vagina
Pubic hair serves as a barrier or protective layer between your crotch and the clothing; removing this barrier can create a smooth layer for the fabric to glide into unwanted areas.
13 Effective Ways To Avoid Camel Toe With Workout Pants
You can avoid camel toe in workout pants by carefully selecting your activewear. Workout pants are designed to be tight fitting in order to allow free movement of the body and make you as comfortable as possible, but since tight pants are the main causes of camel toe, this can cause a dilemma.
You need something fitting but flexible, so you have to find workout pants that complement these needs. All these factors have been put into consideration, so to avoid camel toe with workout pants effectively, follow these tips:
1. Start with your underwear
How your underwear fits can affect your health and overall outfit, so it is important to consider the size and style of underwear that fits your body shape, be it apple, pear, or hourglass. Consider the crotch length and the leg openings because these are the parts that tend to influence the appearance of a camel toe through clothing.
Many types of panties are available out there, from regular ones like thongs and briefs to more daring ones like crotchless panties. Everyone is different when it comes to what they like, but take it from me, when you start wearing underwear that fits you well, you might be surprised at how much better it feels.
The best way to get the underwear that fits properly is to go to a store and request assistance; there are experienced shoppers that will be happy to help you out.
2. Use a camel toe concealer
Just as the name implies, a camel toe concealer is a silicone product that you place in your pants to make your camel toe invisible.
This simple yet brilliant tool has been a game-changer for me during sweaty workout sessions. The camel toe concealer provides reliable comfort and confidence throughout the day with its moisture-proof adhesive and seamless finish. Plus, it’s washable and reusable, making it a convenient addition to your workout gear.
3. Size up on pants
Embracing the right fit for workout pants is crucial in the battle against camel toe, and a general rule is to avoid pants that are too tight. Based on my personal trials and errors, I’ve found that opting for a size larger than usual can significantly reduce the chances of camel toe. Don’t worry; it doesn’t mean sacrificing style for comfort. Depending on the style, choose one or two sizes up to enjoy a camel-toe-free workout.
4. Go for workout pants with built-in liners
You can go for pants that already have liners, which removes the problem of having to readjust yourself while working out. To provide a double layer for comfort, some activewear is lined all through while some only line the crotch area. Either way, it prevents camel toe from occurring. However, these types of workout pants are relatively expensive, but then again, who can put a price on comfort?
5. Opt for darker colours
Bright coloured pants are less forgiving of camel toe as they will show every lump, bump and contour on the skin, whereas darker colours, on the other hand, serve as a sort of camouflage to cover camel toe, creating the illusion of smoothness. We recommend sticking to pants with dark colours such as black, navy blue, emerald green and charcoal grey for your workout pants.
Darker colours may not stop the camel toe from happening, but it will help hide those folds.
6. Be careful of fashion trends
Cute workout pants can increase confidence and even serve as a motivation to hit the gym, so when something new and exciting launches, it is only natural to want to check it out. But wait, before you add that popular new activewear to your shopping cart, ask yourself, will this provide the support I need during my workouts? Is the style tailored to my needs?
I love pretty workout gear as much as the next person, but as someone who has fallen for fashion trends in the past, I’ve learned the hard way that not all cute workout pants are created equal. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new launches, but pause for a moment and consider your needs.
Make informed choices that cater to your workout routines, and you will not only steer clear of camel toe but also save yourself from buyer’s remorse.
7. Wear loose workout pants
As a fitness enthusiast who’s experimented with various workout apparel, let me debunk a common myth – you don’t have to stick to tight workout pants to achieve your fitness goals. You will feel much more confident and less likely to get a camel toe if you wear looser pants.
Opting for looser options like sweatpants or tracksuit pants is always a good alternative. Just make sure that they are made with a breathable fabric and safe to wear around gym equipment.
8. Consider the girl shorts
Girl shorts are the female version of the guy’s gym shorts. They come with a tight lining attached to looser briefs to provide coverage and mobility, making them a great option for your conventional active wear. And because I am a DIY girl, I dare say you can make this at home, just grab a pair of breathable biker shorts and stitch it with a cute brief and voila, you have your very own customised gym shorts.
9. Choose thicker fabrics
Thin clothing fabrics tend to get caught up in skin folds, and some active wears come in just too thin fabrics. This is not generally an issue since lighter fabrics can make movement easier, which is great. However, if your goal is to avoid camel toe, it is best you stick to thicker fabrics for your workout pants.
There are a number of great brands out there that cater to this need. When shopping for activewear, pick the one that is right for you and remember quality over quantity.
10. Sew in a gusset
You can choose to modify your workout pants by sewing in a gusset. A gusset is a panel inserted into pants to prevent bunching around the crotch. You can take your pants to a seamstress to be fitted, or you can easily do it yourself at home by reading this simple guide on how to sew in a gusset.
11. Do not go commando
Underwear serves as a barrier and a layer of protection between the crotch and the pants. Going commando will remove that covering, allowing friction to take its course resulting in a camel toe and even causing irritations.
Some women like to go out without underwear because they do not like the visible panty lines. However, it is better than having your pants wedged up your labia.
12. Make use of a panty liner
As a fellow gym lover who has struggled with camel toe, I’ve discovered a handy solution that keeps me comfortable during workouts. Panty liners can work wonders in creating a protective barrier against camel toe. Applying a panty liner across the front inside your workout pants can provide that much-needed confidence and peace of mind.
13. Wear period panties
Period panties have rendered a lifelong service to women at that time of the month; permit me to add one more practical use for the good old period panties. The thick leakproof layer can serve as an appropriate buffer between the fabric of the clothing and your crotch to protect against camel toe.
Final Thoughts
Having a camel toe can make for an embarrassing workout, but with this guide, you will be able to fix any issues beforehand by making smart choices. You do not have to stick to one fix, though. Mix and match these tips to find the methods that work for you.
