I'm Fussy About Activewear - But These Sweaty Betty Shorts Give Me Serious Confidence

I’m seriously particular about activewear. Why? Because I worry about how I look when working out. We all know the benefits of exercise are clear: it’s a great way to relieve stress, build strength and improve our mental and overall health. So, it’s actually pretty annoying that how my bum looks in my leggings during a downward dog takes up so much brain capacity. But I know I’m not alone - so many of us get anxiety over how we might be perceived by others when working out. A recent OnePoll survey* found one in three Brits (33%) suffer from ‘gymtimidation’ and fear feeling out of place in the gym, while over half of women (53%) are put off joining up due to perceived pressure to wear lycra, and 43% are self-conscious about their stomachs. I always opt for ultra-high waistbands to avoid the dreaded overspill when doing crunches, prefer medium impact sports bras for added support (this one’s just sensible) and do several squats in the mirror to assess for both transparency and wedgies (front and back, thank you). And even then, I’m still worrying about all these things mid workout. But I’ve had enough – and from this day forward I’m taking some sage advice from Sweaty Betty to stop obsessing over the negatives and just #WearTheDamnShorts already.

That’s the name of the activewear giants’ latest campaign, and a call to arms for anyone who needs a friendly reminder to be a bit more positive about their bod this summer. The hashtag first struck a resounding chord with women across the globe back in March 2021, when a post on the subject by an Instagram PT went viral thanks to its uplifting and liberating message. With its ‘shorts for all’ message, Sweaty Betty wants to build upon this momentum and take the body confidence movement to greater heights, not just when working out but in everyday life too.

Without the coverage of leggings, shorts are a particular offender for generating self doubt. Does my bum look big in these? Too flat? What’s my cellulite saying? In a stroke of genius, Sweaty Betty has once again partnered with the talented poet, Sophia Thakur, to create a spoken word masterpiece that champions body positivity, female empowerment, and, well, shorts. Thakur's words act as a manifesto for all of us who just want to work out in peace, urging women everywhere to proudly don their shorts this season and stop giving airtime to their inner saboteur. They’ve also enlisted the help of body positive influencers to spread the word far and wide. But actually, Sweaty Betty shorts also happen to be doing a great job of selling shorts all on their own.

The Power 6” cycling shorts, for example, tick all the boxes for me: a belly-button concealing waist, stretchy and supportive fabric that’s moisture wicking and sculpting, and available in some seriously fun prints. They’re perfect for squatting, jumping, stretching, you name it – taking the stress out of how you look for pretty much every workout. You can also select shorter or longer leg lengths for maximum flattery and improved fit. To keep your mind focused on your speed and not on whether your knickers are showing while sprinting, the Tempo Run Shorts are another great pair designed to keep you comfortable at all times. Sweaty Betty has gone to great lengths to make shorts that are performance driven, super flattering and enjoyable to wear which goes a long way when it comes to body confidence.

My advice? Really encourage yourself to wear whatever shorts you want, when you want, and remember that in workout environments such as gyms and studios, we’re all there for the same reason. And to make that a little easier, try investing in shorts that you know make you look and feel fantastic, such as the Sweaty Better styles I’ve listed below.

It's not just their shorts that deserve a look in. High on quality, high on style and never skimping on performance, Sweaty Betty has entire workout wardrobe to discover.

*On behalf of The Gym Group, 2022