How to Wear an Athletic Supporter at the Gym

Wearing an athletic supporter during exercise can increase safety and comfort.

Getting hit in the testicles not only causes tremendous pain, but can also lead to reproductive organ trauma. Urologist Richard Santucci says in the paper "Testicular Trauma" that 85 percent of testicular injuries result from blunt force trauma, such as a kick, fastball to the groin or inadvertently dropping a dumbbell into your lap. Whether you hit the gym to lift weights, practice mixed martial arts or play basketball, wearing an athletic supporter---also known as a jockstrap---can give you one more layer of protection.

Things You'll Need

• Athletic supporter
• Exercise clothes

Instructions

1. Pick the right size. What size you wear depends on your waist size and comfort.

2. Wash your athletic supporter. Many men choose to wear athletic supporters in place of underwear or underneath boxer shorts, and this sports accessory will, like a swimsuit, come in direct contact with your body. Running a jockstrap through a cold water wash will remove potential allergens or contaminants from the packaging.

3. Put the jockstrap on as if it were a pair of briefs. Hold the jock in front of your body so that the waistband stretches horizontally in front of you. Make sure that you're holding the pouch side in front of you.

4. Step into the jockstrap one leg at a time. Keep the pouch in between your legs, and avoid having it bunch up or twist as you put it on. Also make sure that it snugly encloses your testicles and penis.

5. Adjust the leg straps to ensure comfort. The two elastic straps should lie flat against or underneath your buttocks; remove any twists or binding by straightening or untangling them.

6. Put your gym shorts, spandex or exercise pants on over the jock strap. Hit the gym with comfort and protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Athletic supporters offer a pouch where you can insert a hard protective plastic shell (called a cup). Some commercially available jockstraps come with a cup; others require you to buy a cup separately.

• Hernias are one of the most common groin injuries and involve the intestines pushing through tears in the abdominal wall near the testicles. According to Dr. Gabe Mirkin on his website DrMirkin.com, athletic supporters will not prevent this type of sports injury.

References

• Emedicine: Testicular Trauma
• Dr. Mirkin: Athletic Supporters Not Needed During Exercise
• Timber Woof: Jockwoof's Guide to Athletic Supporters and Protective Cups: Jockwoof's Jock Strap FAQ
• Kidz World: Jock Strap 101
• His Room: All About Athletic Supporters

Resources

• Bike: Athletic Supporters
• Slate: Where Have All The Jockstraps Gone?