The Ascent Blog - Latest Comments

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Terri — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:22:44 -0000

This is something that I am dealing with as I have started to really become consistent with CrossFit ( this is my second month) the box I am apart of is based around Christian beliefs which I think is great because as a Christian myself I am so thankful for the atmosphere that it sets... The constant encouragement and prayers are wonderful... But I have noticed that a lot of the athletes dress in the more typical CrossFit attire and then there are some that dress in more modest attire capris leggings with t-shirts and the like... It's a pretty good balance... I don't know if everyone that comes to the box are Christians and that doesn't matter what I'm trying to deal with is the balance between my standards on modesty, my comfort level ( I am a bit self-conscience) and what I will wear during a WOD. It's a balance I am still trying to figure out and will come to when the competitions start coming along... Thanks for the thought-provoking and timely post!!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Jennifer Burns — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:31:30 -0000

Loved reading this. I CF and my normal uniform is a tank top, booty shorts and knee socks. At first I thought it was just for show, but then after a while, I realized the functionality (the booty shorts allow for more range of motion and the socks are so you don't scrape the crap out of your shins on box jumps and deadlifts). I still refuse to get down to a sports bra, however - no one at our box does this and if I don't have a tank top, where will I wipe my excess sweat and chalk?!
Also, all thoughts of modesty go out the door when it's 100 degrees in the box and you're just trying to survive a wod. I'm there to get at it and not care how cute I am while doing so.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:09:07 -0000

That is an amazing way to look at it, Jana. Thank you so much for this!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:08:40 -0000

Totally agree with both of you ladies! I actually was going to mention Kristen in this post but also recognize that she catches a lot of flak from the outside world for looking very masculine, and honestly I didn't really feel like opening that can of worms! I absolutely think that it should be about function, not fashion--although a little flair doesn't hurt either ;)

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:06:01 -0000

Haha you DO have a nice booty! And I would agree that 90% of the time I'm not comfortable WODing without a shirt on, either--and frankly I sometimes feel like, especially at my gym, the guys just take their shirts off because they can and not because it necessarily benefits their performance in any way. The girls, however, almost always keep their shirts on, and I think for some it is a modesty issue but for most it is just a comfort thing. I wouldn't want to be peeling a sweaty belly off the floor during burpees, or catching a wall ball with a sweaty chest (gross). Apart from function, self-confidence absolutely plays a roll. I've mentioned this in a few other comments, but this time last year I wasn't even comfortable wearing tank tops in public because I didn't like my arms, but now I will wear a tank top any chance I get. I think what I was trying to get at was that it's important to wear what you WANT to wear, not what you feel like the CrossFit community as a whole "expects" you to wear or what you "should" wear to look like a CrossFitter.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:58:21 -0000

Nice! I agree! I think that functionality is definitely the most important part--I definitely am not throwing my shirt off in the middle of a 5:30AM WOD in February... and I really think that the important thing is your intention. If you are wearing something because it is comfortable and functional, then wear whatever you want... as long as it's truly what you WANT to be wearing and not because you feel like you "should" be running around shirtless :)

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:56:34 -0000

I have to admit that the first few times I wore booty shorts to the gym, I was SO self-conscious. I felt ok walking around my house in them but as soon as I showed up at the box I felt really nervous and even a little embarrassed! It took me seeing a fellow gym member wear them, who has a very similar body type to me, and thinking she looked awesome, to realize that I was being overly critical of myself and needed to just let it happen. Honestly my legs have not changed that much in the past year, but what has definitely changed is my attitude about what my legs can DO and where people can stick it if they have something to say about it :)

Re: An Announcement + A Poll

Seana — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:48 -0000

Oh My WOD!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Jana — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:42:54 -0000

I am fairly new to Crossfit. The women at the gym I attend dress pretty conservatively (I don't think I've ever seen booty shorts or sports bras) and I appreciate that. I am so impressed with their strength and perseverance. WOW! I workout with a powerful group of women. They encourage and uplift. They inspire me to work harder than I ever thought possible. I don't need to see their muscles to be impressed with their strength. I know how powerful they are. Their strength comes from within.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:16:52 -0000

Haha I love it. I think that is totally the right attitude to have. Wear whatever you want, don't give a crap what anyone else is wearing, and just go about your life! I definitely don't think this is an issue unless you reach a point where you feel like you are second-guessing your choices because of other people's expectations.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:14:11 -0000

Totally! I love that a lot of people have brought up just loving that they feel comfortable enough to even wear those things just for themselves. A year ago I didn't even feel comfortable in tank tops, let alone booty shorts, and even outside of my physical changes, I see my my new self esteem as an accomplishment in itself. Also, way to be a role model for your daughters! I hope I can do that one day!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:33:56 -0000

I think you're totally right. After reading through these comments I wish I would have used a different example for "earning" your body, because I really believe that having "earned" it can mean anything from looking like Christmas Abbott to having earned a new level of self-confidence and, along with it, a new appreciation for your big thighs. I definitely think that what is most important about "looking great" in a pair of booty shorts is your attitude when you are wearing them--if you own it, you can pull them off no matter what, but on the other hand, even if you have great legs, if you are tugging at them and fidgeting the whole time, it will be obvious that you should have made a different choice!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:30:23 -0000

Hahaha love it! I first tried wearing booty shorts to a WOD last fall and was super self-conscious, but I've slowly learned to love them (and my thighs), and pretty sure I would live in them if I could...

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:29:40 -0000

That's a super interesting point to bring up to--that other women typically accept what you're wearing because it is obvious among the community of women if your intentions are to be comfortable or if your intentions are to get attention. If it is the former, we can definitely tell and don't care--if it's the latter, we can also definitely tell! And as for men... who knows what they are thinking...

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:28:01 -0000

It's crazy how much this has changed for me over the past year. This time last year I didn't even feel comfortable wearing a sleeveless shirt in public because I felt self-conscious about my arms, and now I try to wear tank tops as much as possible. I wore booty shorts to the box for the first time last fall, and spent the whole WOD tugging at them and feeling awkward. Now I feel awesome in them but I agree that it should just be about what you are comfortable in!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:26:34 -0000

Definitely. After reading these comments I think that I should have used a better example of "earning it" because I think that you can "earn" your body by losing weight and gaining muscle, but you can also earn it by gaining a new appreciation for your big thighs, or by learning to see yourself in a new way.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:19:15 -0000

I totally agree! Thanks Kim!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:18:41 -0000

Yep yep yep. I think that there definitely ARE some women who dress in an eye-catching way because of just that--they want to catch someone's eye. But for the most part, I think that most of us are just trying to find something that is functional and comfortable. Plus, I don't want to feel like I need to hide my femininity while working out, so maybe I will pick something a little girlier or a little tighter rather than wearing a paper bag and looking like a teenage boy...

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

clairechapman — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:39:18 -0000

Thanks for pointing this out, and I totally agree with you. And I don't think that "growing their muscles and reducing their body fat" has to mean that they are ripped or toned, but can relate to any physique you are proud to show off!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Danielle — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:30:18 -0000

I feel pretty much the same way as you do. I am terribly self conscious about my thighs and I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in my box still wearing pants to work out. I never wear shorts out of my house - not even to garden in my own back yard and the thought of doing the majority of the crossfit movements in a pair of mid thigh shorts let alone a pair of booty shorts gives me knots in my stomach. I'd probably spend so much time worrying about what my thighs looked like I'd completely botch my work out and end up injuring myself. I would be lying though if I ddn't say that one of my goals is to be comfortable enough to work out in a pair of shorts. Whether that comes from my thighs actually getting smaller or my self confidence growing larger it's definetly something I believe crossfit can help me accomplish.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Ashley — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:25:45 -0000

Very interesting topic. I don't care what others wear in the gym as it's their choice. For me I do not feel comfortable wearing booty shorts or just a sports bra. It really isn't due to religion. I am just a modest person and I don't feel like the need to get that type of attention from males at the gym. I think wearing super short shorts would make me uncomfortable during my workout.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Rose McMackin — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:41:20 -0000

I guide and I usually wear volley ball shorts on the river (except in Utah because nothing but total coverage will save you there). But I definitely wonder about them a lot... Funnily enough, I've had male managers who have told me not to wear them and male managers who have said, "Wear what you want. Be you. It's your body." But all the women I've worked for have considered it to be so obviously my choice as to not even be worth talking about. Great topic.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Sharde Davis — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:36:16 -0000

Wear what makes you feel comfortable. Your comfort level is all that matters. I wear booty shorts all over my apartment, but when it comes to running I make sure to wear the running shorts (extra short) of course. I love it. When I get to my tip top shape, I will be a booty shorts wearing machine!

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

swimaholic — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:33:41 -0000

The subtext of this article is that if one works out a lot and eats healthy, then one will automatically look great in a pair of short shorts. I have spent months and years eating healthy and working out regularly and would look terrible in short shorts. While many people's exercise programs have the added benefit of giving them a great body, some of us are left to work hard with minimal visible results. Thus, this idea that some people have EARNED the right to wear a skimpy to the outfit to the gym undermines those of us who work just as hard, but don't get the same results as far as appearance goes.

Re: Booty Shorts and Modesty

Lady Loudpants — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:20:18 -0000

Successfully rocking booty shorts and a sports bra is a badge of accomplishment. Whether we want to admit it or not, being comfortable (physically and mentally) in such fitness wear is one of the goals of a CrossFitter--Even if that means we only wear them in our house with no one home. The beauty of CrossFit is that it is a level playing field. Everyone is doing the same exercise and if women earned that body doing the same exercises at the same time as myself, then it stands to reason that someday, I will be one of those women. Those bodies are HARD to get and require extreme commitment and those women should be proud of that accomplishment. I know I will be and as a mother of two young daughters, lean muscle as the ultimate body ideal is not unreasonable. It equals healthy.