Franks, Beans & the Proper Use of Spandex

I hope this does not come off like a rant, rather, one person's limited thoughts on fashion. By no means am I a fashion guru or capable of being a judge on "Project Runway". But I am a person who is concerned about the current place of spandex in our fitness world.

As a triathlete, I have grown to respect the proper use of this interesting garment. With the boom in triathlons, spandex (tri shorts/bike shorts) have grown to the norm in health clubs, trainings and many other fitness arenas. Like a good joke, there is a time and a place for everything.

Don't get me wrong, I love tri shorts, if used accordingly. I am extremely pleased that tri shorts have replaced the banana hammocks of the early 80's. Take a second and think about it...tri shorts or hundreds of men prancing around the transition area in Speedo's. Oppfff.

Back to proper usage. Wearing them on the bike. Good. Wearing them in the pool for a workout. No problem. Wearing them on a run after a ride to finish off a brick workout. Perfectly OK. I'll even stretch my acceptable policy by allowing men to wear tri shorts on their way from the locker room to a spin class.

Women, on the other hand, do what you want. You have since the 80's anyway. Think Olivia Newton-John, the song "Physical", and her video. The female gender has be wearing spandex forever. Somehow the male gender feels it can pull off the spandex look as well as the female gender. Guys, trust me, we can't.

What I struggle with is seeing men wear tri shorts on the treadmill, running on the street or pumping iron in the weight room. Maybe I am self conscious or not confident enough in my masculinity, but I have no desire to see someone else's twigs and berries while I am working out. One other tip for those who love the spandex look; if you are going to wear them, DON'T tuck your shirt in. Please!

Its kind of like this...I am glad some guys feel overly confident walking around naked in the locker room airing out their frank and beans. You know the ones. I ask you this, is it necessary? Need one more visual? How about your dad walking around the house or going for a walk in the neighborhood wearing tri shorts, dark socks and a t-shirt. Fun, huh!?

I always wear shorts over my spandex and only recently did I start taking of my hoop shorts while teaching spin classes. I have even run with running tights on, but I make sure to have a long shirt on. It takes all of my courage to leave the house, but I do it because I HATE to be cold. I have done the brick workout in only spandex. But, whenever possible, I wear shorts over the spandex. I guess I AM a bit self conscious.

Maybe it's me. Maybe I need to work on myself first. You know, get in touch with my softer side before I critique others. Or maybe, just maybe, I am right.