I'm currently in search of some variety of workout/exercise pants that don't give away what is lacking from my pants. I'm not into packing really, and find it especially uncomfortable when exercising. Typically I just wear some board shorts. The velcro fly seems to solve the problem of the missing package well enough, but in these winter months one often needs a warmer option. [If only they made pants with a velcro fly, but alas.] I've tried on many different kinds of athletic pants to no avail. It may just be that I'm over focusing on the area, but they all seem to fall noticeably flat in the fly area.
There are three main types of exercise pants that I've come across. Mesh pants seem to be the worst (not too surprising as nothing screams "I have no dick" like a pair of mesh shorts) followed by sweat pants. Both of which seem to be the most common out there. The third variety is made of some sort of light plastic-y type material which I've been unable to identify based on my brief online searches, but seems like the best option. Regardless its still not even close to perfect. I'm not even really sure what would be. I guess something with any kind of fly would be nice. The flat front really throws me for a loop.
So my question is what has your solution to this problem been?
What do you workout in?
Are there any tricks other than packing to help relieve the flat front issue in some of the previously mentioned varieties of pants?
Could you sew something stiffer, like velcro, into a pair of your choice? I'm assuming it's the stiffness of velcro that helps in your board shorts so adding some there might work in ones that don't have anything.
Are you working out at a gym? I'd just wear some sweat pants over the board shorts when traveling to and from the gym but just wear the shorts while working out.
Also, I wouldn't worry too much. I wear mesh basketball type baggy shorts all the time (I don't pack either). Not once has anyone approached me about a perceived lack of a penis, lol. If you pass in every other way nobody is going to question it. People are there to work on their bodies...not stare at each others crotches.
Basketball shorts//sweatpants.
Take advantage of the FTM anonimity. People always assume that a "->-bleeped-<-" is MTF and they always forget about the FTMs. Thus, that possibility is the last thing on their minds. ::)
What type of exercise are you doing?
Like Simon said, it probably isn't as noticeable to others as it is to you. Maybe you could just try a jock strap in the future with maybe something like a sock thrown in there instead of a packer? Or sew in some velcro like Alex suggested.
I mainly exercise at home, and my workout clothes consists of girly yoga stretchy pants, girly workout shorts, or nothing :-\ I mostly just do yoga, and I find that loose clothing gets in the way. I'd never be able to go and do a yoga class somewhere if I was trying to pass as a man.
Quote from: DianaP on January 01, 2013, 07:51:23 PM
People always assume that a "->-bleeped-<-" is MTF and they always forget about the FTMs.
Every time I hear the word "->-bleeped-<-" I think...
STOP! ->-bleeped-<- TIME!! Break it down:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1117.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk599%2FSimonSez81%2Fhammertime_zps4099c463.gif&hash=1dc6c83282a61edff040ccedd3c3576971cd5d5e)
Quote from: Simon on January 01, 2013, 07:59:34 PM
Every time I hear the word "->-bleeped-<-" I think...
STOP! ->-bleeped-<- TIME!! Break it down:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1117.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk599%2FSimonSez81%2Fhammertime_zps4099c463.gif&hash=1dc6c83282a61edff040ccedd3c3576971cd5d5e)
Well, now I'm choking on reduced fat potato chips.
I've never had an issue with workout pants, but I'm not passing all the time either :icon_neutral:
Wearing kids' extra-large Nike sweatpants (and they really do mean extra-large, but I've always like my pants a big baggy) right now, and while I don't pack, these don't exactly scream "SOMETHING IS MISSING IN THE DOWNSTAIRS AREA" like mesh shorts imo.
Anyway, there were some pretty nice suggestions here. I'm not of much help because I lack experience in that department, though.
Unfortunately I no longer have a gym. Back in those days it wasn't any sort of problem at all. Most of my workouts are at home anyway, and obviously there it isn't an issue at all. I'm a yoga junky too (for that I actually use my old jiu jitsu pants), but I also feel like I need some good old fashion cardio from time to time - a habit I'm attempting to increase.
I'm probably just focusing on it too much. I really don't think people are staring at my crotch all over the place, but I try my hardest to avoid the possibility. I guess I'm also sort of new to public displays of exercise. I know its stupid, but I feel awkward enough running in public without worrying about the rest of it. I pass really well (our downstairs neighbor assumed my room mate was the transman when she learned one of us was from our other room mate) and once you get to know me I'm open about being trans, so I probably should just drop the issue in my mind. Its nice to hear some logical voices telling me not to fuss about it though, so thank you all for that.
However, if anyone has any further suggestions for comfortable workout gear or input on what they wear its certainly welcome. =]
Thanks,
Gnome.
You're lucky, though. I detest having external genitalia when I'm riding my bike. Chafing, squeezing, ouch. Bike pants + boy parts = No. :(
I live down south, where I wear shorts even in January, so I don't wear pants. My shorts are just plain basketball shorts. Honestly, I never seen anyone look in that area, especially in a gym where there's about 80-90% men. They are solely focused on their workouts, or drinking/texting between their sets. No one pays attention, so it's the least place where you have to worry about that. Lol, I don't sit around watching people's crotches go by me. On purpose though, maybe once or twice in my life I had a .5 second glance at other guys' shorts, and there's nothing visible there. It looks flat every time.
There are plenty of gay, straight, lesbian, trans people in my gym. No one pays attention to anyone. Sometimes I look around and see a guy who seems to have a pre-T feminine body and then in my head I'm like "Ha, that's cool, I'm not the only one...I wonder if that's a bio guy or a transguy? Or maybe a very butch lesbian? Oh well anyways, NEXT SET!" :) It's very unimportant.
Quote from: GnomeKid on January 01, 2013, 08:31:52 PM
I guess I'm also sort of new to public displays of exercise. I know its stupid, but I feel awkward enough running in public without worrying about the rest of it.
I agree that it can be weird to run in public at first. I used to run outside (now I have evil, unleashed dogs living nearby which scares me from running), and I would often just go at night. I used to work 3rd shift, so I'd often go running at 9 pm on workdays, then around 3 am on weekends (though, if you do that, be careful about where you stop to stretch, I had a few people think I was working the corner). There's so much less people out then that not many people will notice you. (also, I was living in Florida then, so that was really the only time that it was practical to run outside most of the year).
It's less weird if you go to someplace where people exercise regularly. I didn't feel nearly as awkward running on a trail or walking path than I did out on the sidewalk.