Yoga shorts are shorts worn by people who practice yoga. They are commonly worn by people practicing Bikram yoga, a type of yoga practiced in a heated room and also known as hot yoga. There are two main types: compression shorts and loose-fitting shorts. Loose-fitting shorts are popular because they allow for extra ventilation and excellent maneuverability, while compression shorts provide the same feel as yoga pants. They allow your skin to breathe.
Why They Help Performance
Yoga shorts are extremely comfortable, and allow you to breathe freely while also maintaining your flexibility. Almost all yoga shorts are made from material with moisture-wicking properties, which helps keep you cool by removing sweat from your body. This is especially important in Bikram yoga, where you may sweat profusely, which can make it difficult to hold certain poses.
What are They Made of?
Loose-fitting yoga shorts are generally made from Lycra, Coolmax, Light Luxtreme, or Swift. All of these fabrics are lightweight, stretchy, and soft. Tight-fitting shorts, or compression shorts, are usually made from either Spandex or Luxtreme, which is a technical fabric that fits the body like a second skin and offers a low-friction performance with fantastic support.
Washing and Care Instructions
You always want to take care of all you workout clothing and yoga shorts are no different. Lululemon, one of the most popular brands of yoga clothing, offers general washing guidelines on the tags of their articles of clothing. Almost all yoga shorts can be washed safely in a machine, although you should avoid placing towels in the same load. Use only a small amount of detergent to prevent the fabric from breaking down, and use a cold water cycle as opposed to hot water, which can damage the synthetic material. Never use fabric softener. If you are worried about your yoga shorts shrinking, avoid placing them in the dryer. Instead, allow them to air dry.
Who Makes Them?
While you can wear any athletic shorts while practicing yoga, there are several brands that manufacture shorts specifically for yoga. Lululemon is the most popular brand of yoga shorts. They have many different styles, such as loose-fitting or compression style. Other popular brands include Prana, Old Navy, and Bench. For general athletic shorts, however, the most popular brands are Nike, Reebok, Adidas, and Under Armour.
Price Range
If you are comfortable wearing regular athletic shorts when you practice yoga, you can most likely find shorts for around $20. If you want yoga specific shorts from a yoga brand such as Lululemon, however, you will likely have to pay at least $50, if not more. You may be able to find these style of shorts for cheaper from online retailers like eBay or Amazon, although when you factor in additional costs like shipping fees, the cost may be similar to the in-store price. Ideally, you should also try the yoga shorts on before you purchase them. Yoga requires peace of mind and relaxation and this is difficult to achieve this if you are uncomfortable during your practice. The last thing you want is shorts that are too tight or too large. Thus, trying shorts on in-store before you purchase them is extremely important
