How Should Training Shorts Fit? Power Moves Shorts Fit Guide
By SAXX Underwear® | Life Changing Men's Underwear | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how training shorts should fit, how to dial in SAXX Power Moves sizing, and the checkpoints that keep a lightweight 4-way stretch short from riding, bunching, or restricting your lift.
Quick answer
Choose a Power Moves Short size that sits flat at the waist without cinching, leaves a fist of room at the thigh, and lets the unlined 4-way stretch shell move through a squat without pulling the hem up. If you are between sizes, size to the waist first and treat thigh room as the tiebreaker.
Why an unlined training short fits differently
The Power Moves Short is unlined, so there is no built-in brief to hold the short in place or add bulk at the seat. That makes the waistband and the cut of the shell do more of the work. A waistband that is too loose will slide during jumps and carries; one that is too tight will dig in before your first set.
The quiet, lightweight 4-way stretch shell also means the short can feel roomier standing still than it does under load. Judge fit in motion, not in front of the mirror. If you prefer a liner for support, this short is not the pick; if you want an unlined shell you can wear over your usual underwear, it is.
Where a training short should and should not be snug
A good gym shorts fit is anchored at the waist and free everywhere else. The waistband should stay put without leaving red marks, while the seat and thighs should have enough room to squat, lunge, and step without the fabric pulling tight across the knee or riding up the leg.
Do not size down to get a tighter look. A tighter short does not improve support in an unlined shell; it mainly reduces range of motion and makes the zip pockets sit awkwardly against the hip. If the short feels restrictive at the bottom of a squat, that is a fit problem, not a motivation problem.
Fit checkpoints before you train
- Start with your waist measurement: Measure around your natural waist, not your hips, and compare it with the size options available for the Power Moves Short. Common mistake: guessing from your jeans size, which often sits lower and fits differently. If your waist lands between two sizes, start with the larger one and test the thigh room before deciding.
- Check the waistband standing and seated: Fasten the short and sit down. The band should lie flat without rolling or pressing into your stomach. Common mistake: judging only while standing, when a too-tight band has not yet had to flex. A band that rolls or digs when seated will do the same during rows and floor work.
- Test thigh and seat room in a squat: Do two or three bodyweight squats and a lunge each side. You want the shell to glide rather than pull tight across the front of the thigh or seat. Common mistake: accepting a short that feels fine standing but grabs at the bottom of the squat. If the fabric pulls the hem upward as you squat, try the next size up.
- Confirm hem placement: Stand tall and check where the hem falls on your leg. It should stay put when you walk and not bunch at the knee. Common mistake: choosing a length based on photos rather than how it behaves when you move. A hem that rides up during a warm-up will keep riding up during conditioning.
- Load the zip pockets: Put a phone or keys in the secure zip pockets and do a short jog and a few jumping jacks. The short should not sag or twist. Common mistake: testing pockets empty, then discovering the load pulls the waistband down mid-session. If the pockets drag the short down, tighten the waistband or carry less.
Product facts that affect fit
- Power Moves: Unlined, lightweight 4-way stretch shell with laser-cut ventilation and secure zip pockets. The stretch helps the short follow your squat and lunge, while the unlined build means you choose your own underwear and rely on the waistband for hold.
Power Moves
