Should You Really Wear A ‘Langot’ Or ‘Jockstrap’ While Weight Training? Here’s The Answer (2024)

If you exercise in a desi gym or in a desi akhada, then you might be familiar with the term ‘langot’. Since the majority of dudes don’t really know what it is- it’s more commonly referred to as a jockstrap in English. Wrestlers who practice kushti in akhadas have been wearing langots as a tradition of their combat sport. Now, are jockstraps really as important as they make it out to be? There are so many myths floating in context but only a few people know the truth.

Should You Really Wear A ‘Langot’ Or ‘Jockstrap’ While Weight Training? Here’s The Answer (1)© YouTube

A jockstrap is important as it protects your genitalia; which is true to some extent. However, it is applicable only in a few sports where you also require a cup to be worn with your jockstrap; in order to protect your genitals from being smashed. For example- sports like cricket, rugby, baseball etc. The chances of groin injury are quite high and therefore, the jockstrap becomes an essential gear in such sports. According to the history behind the wearable, the jockstrap was invented in 1874 by C. F. Bennett of a Chicago sporting goods company, Sharp & Smith, in order to provide comfort and support for bicycle jockeys.

Should You Really Wear A ‘Langot’ Or ‘Jockstrap’ While Weight Training? Here’s The Answer (2)© Wikihow

Now, the question is, do we really need it for our regular gym workouts? The answer is a simple no! As a matter of fact, wearing a tight jockstrap can actually harm your testicl*s. Some people wear it to prevent hernias, but the irony is, wearing a tight jockstrap can lead to hernia. The excessive compression on the genital nerves further puts pressure on the abdomen area that might lead to the herniated testicl*s.

Should You Really Wear A ‘Langot’ Or ‘Jockstrap’ While Weight Training? Here’s The Answer (3)© Youtube

However, the human body is smart enough to automatically put itself in survival mode, on the basis of the situation. For instance, during the winters, your scrotum (pouch that carry testicl*s) tighten up and gets close to the body, whereas during summers, it is loose and hangs. This mechanism of the body takes place in order to maintain the required temperature for the testicl*s in the scrotum.

So the bottom line is, unless you are in a specific sport, where your prone to the groin injuries, you do not require a jock strap. In fact, a normal pair of briefs will optimally fulfill the requirement, that is, prevention of the excess of motion down there.

Hence, no need to wear that uncomfortable gym supporter aka jockstrap. Trust us.

Rachit Dua is an advanced K11 certified fitness coach for general and special population (people with medical issues, old age people, pregnant women, and children) and a certified sports nutritionist. You can get in touch with himhere.

Should You Really Wear A ‘Langot’ Or ‘Jockstrap’ While Weight Training? Here’s The Answer (2024)

FAQs

Should you wear a jock strap when lifting weights? ›

They maximize leg movement, and their lift and flexibility also reduce groin strains and keep genital slip-outs from turning into painful injuries. If you frequently experience aches in the groin area when you exercise, a plush, form-fitting jockstrap can also provide the relief you need.

Is it necessary to wear Langot during exercise? ›

Hello- Langot/supporter is meant to support the scrotum during exercises or physical workout, it prevents the scrotal damage. But it is not healthy to wear it all the time as it will increase the temperature of the testis and will decrease the formation of sperms. Prolonged usage might also cause a permanent damage.

Does anyone actually wear jockstraps? ›

Many men wear jockstraps even for non-impact sports, because they offer good support, multidirectional mobility, and they don't constrict one's legs like boxers and boxer briefs do. Which Sports Require Jockstraps?

Is it better to lift with or without straps? ›

Deadlifting, snatching, or pulling heavy with straps is better than not training heavy at all. Straps decrease the neurological stress of heavy deadlifts, snatches, and pulls. They can be a good idea during a deloading period where you want to let the CNS recover.

Why do people wear Langot? ›

Use a langot in sports where you need to protect your genitalia. The langot works much like a jock strap, so it can be used in contact sports like football, soccer, or cricket, where your genitalia could potentially be hurt. It's often worn in traditional forms of wrestling.

Does Langot prevent hernia? ›

Does A 'Langot' Prevent Hernia? The biggest myth associated with a supporter is that it prevents hernia, a myth that has been debunked medically long back.

Should you wear a thong when working out? ›

“From a health perspective, it's ok to work out in anything that makes you comfortable. For some people, working out in a thong may be comfortable,” she explains. That said, it does come with some risks. Exercising in a thong could increase your risk for a UTI by spreading bacteria to your urethra as you move.

What should you wear while working out? ›

Choose clothes that work with your activity. Loose shorts are perfect for basketball, but maybe not for yoga. Make sure your exercise clothes are comfortable and let you move easily. In cold weather, wear layers, such as a jacket or top over a t-shirt, so you can take off layers as you warm up.

Why would anyone wear a jockstrap? ›

They are designed to hold your parts straight without any shifting. Counters the impact of any strain or injury while playing any kind of sports. The boys don't rub along your thighs while wearing a jockstrap which prevents chafing. It provides an aesthetic look and definition to your attire.

Is it safe to wear a jockstrap everyday? ›

Yes, you can wear a supporter all day, but doing so presents as many risks as not wearing one when you're exercising. You wear a supporter to protect your genitals during exercise.

What is the best grip for weight lifting? ›

Pronated (or Overhand) Grip

The pronated grip is generally the most common grip used during resistance training. You place the hand over the bar, dumbbell, or kettlebell with your knuckles up. Your thumb can either be wrapped around the bar (closed grip) or not wrapped around the bar (open or false grip).

Do bodybuilders use straps? ›

Make strength training harder: Lifting straps support your wrists to lift heavier weights than you might be able to without using a strap. Bodybuilders and Olympic lifting athletes use lifting straps to push their limits and increase their weights.

What is the alternative to weight lifting straps? ›

Cobra Grips seamlessly take the place of lifting straps, gloves, wrist supports and hooks. Unlike lifting straps which put pressure on your wrists, Cobra Grips allow the weight you're lifting to rest on the base of your hand – not on your wrist.

What is langot called in English? ›

The Correct Meaning of Langot in English is Loincloth. Other similar words for Langot include Langot and Langoti.

Is it necessary to wear a supporter while gymming? ›

Since the supporters prevent excessive bouncing and heavy blows during the exercises,it greatly reduces risk of hernia. In simple words Gym supporters are not only necessary but a compulsory precautionary measure.

Should we wear underpants? ›

Apart from serving as a physical barrier to protect delicate skin from irritation, wearing underwear also has practical benefits, such as maintaining the integrity of clothing during wear. “Underwear can prevent vagin*l discharge, which is normal and healthy, from getting on your clothing,” Dr.

How do bodybuilders avoid hernias? ›

You can avoid developing a hernia by: Warming up and stretching before heavy lifting. Using proper technique for exercising and lifting weights, which includes keeping the back straight and extending from the knees.

How do weightlifters not get hernias? ›

Instead, most weightlifting professionals recommend exhaling when exerting the most force. This is because abdominal pressure is at its lowest as you exhale. Decreasing abdominal pressure during weightlifting may help reduce the risk for a hernia.

What are the benefits of langot for men? ›

The langota helps to stop displacement of the intestines during yoga practice and heavy manual work. It helps to prevent hernias and hydrocele in men. Provides energy,strength and stamina during exercise or yoga practise when worn as yoga clothing.

Is it better to go commando or wear a thong? ›

Whatever you wear, make sure your pair fits well and is not overly tight, Dr. Yamaguchi advises—again, to avoid chafing and spreading potentially harmful bacteria. But if you don't want to deal with undie lines or you're just not a full-bottom person, then going commando is a healthier habit to ward off infection.

Is it good to walk in thongs? ›

In summary, thongs do not provide support for the foot. If you have spent most of the year in shoes, a sudden swap to thongs can fatigue the supporting muscles of the foot and lead to pain or injury. This can be made worse if you already have a foot pathology.

Why do guys wear thongs to the gym? ›

It is easier to move limbs while doing exercise. Heavy clothes make sometimes problem and uncomfortable. And sometimes concentration may decrease for clothing matter. Thong undies are very comfortable and easy to move your limbs and you may give a pure concentration on gym.

What not to wear to the gym? ›

Avoid clothes made of 100 percent cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture and is slow to dry. That excess moisture weighs you down, can cause chills, skin breakouts, and an increase in chafing. Instead, wear quick-drying synthetics and moisture-wicking fabrics to draw water away from the skin for optimal evaporation.

What not to do when working out? ›

7 Common Workout Mistakes To Avoid
  1. Overtraining. ...
  2. Using improper form. ...
  3. Not warming up … or cooling down. ...
  4. Sticking to the same workout. ...
  5. Skipping strength training. ...
  6. Not stretching out. ...
  7. Not taking time to rest and recover.
Feb 27, 2018

What should a man wear to the gym? ›

What should guys wear to the gym? You'll want to think about everything you wear from head to toe. Appropriate footwear, comfortable socks, and loose-fitting clothes and/or compression tops/bottoms are all things to take into consideration.

Should men wear jockstraps to the gym? ›

Comfort is key to a successful workout when you're hitting the gym or the field. For men who sweat heavily during exercise, jockstraps offer a comfortable solution. With a design that provides ventilation and moisture-wicking properties, jockstraps can keep you cool and dry throughout your workout.

When should men wear jockstrap? ›

Wear a jockstrap for comfort and protection while playing sports. A jockstrap is recommended for any sport that requires running, such as track and field or basketball. For contact sports or sports involving fast-moving balls, a cup is also recommended. Make sure your jockstrap fits correctly.

Are compression shorts the same as a jockstrap? ›

Compression garments are a step beyond wearing a traditional jockstrap and can be used in conjunction for the ultimate combination of support and comfort. The jockstrap offers stability while the compression garments wick away sweat to prevent irritation.

Are straps allowed in weightlifting? ›

Since straps are not allowed in competition and a standard overhand grip without a hook will not enable you to lift your maximum weight, there is only one other option: a standard overhand grip with hooking.

Can you use straps in weightlifting? ›

Generally speaking, straps can and should be used for pull and deadlift variations to ensure that the grip doesn't limit training of strength and maximal speed. If the grip is insecure, the body won't allow us to accelerate maximally in pulls, or to move the way we want—or at all—in heavy deadlifts.

Should I use straps for dumbbells? ›

Straps are only used for one function: to improve grip power when pulling a payload towards the body - think about it: you don't need straps on bench presses, squats and overhead pressing (pushing poundage away from the body) but you sure as hell tax the grip maximally on rows, cleans, high pulls, deadlifts, snatches, ...

Why not to use straps for deadlift? ›

Yes, it's necessary to strengthen and improve your own natural grip to move up to the next level. That's why you shouldn't always rely entirely on straps. Furthermore, you shouldn't use them for moderate, everyday weights. This is the optimal time to build up your own grip strength.

What type of lifting strap should I get? ›

How to find the best straps. If you're doing the Olympic lifts, closed-loop lifting straps are definitely your best option because they allow for the quickest release of the bar while still offering some grip assistance. They're easy to use and come in a variety of material options.

Why are straps not allowed in powerlifting? ›

Straps are not permitted for use in competition because they help us to lift heavier loads than we could lift naturally, as we are not limited by our grip when using them.

Should I bench with straps? ›

Do Wrist Wraps Help Bench Press? Yes, wrist wraps can help bench press by keeping the hand, forearm, and elbow in good alignment. This helps you build more strength in the chest and shoulders, as well as the triceps, because it is not as easy to compensate into incorrect positions.

What do strap on weights do? ›

"They're great for targeted exercise if you can't grip a dumbbell," Downey says. For example, you might have a weak grip from arthritis or a stroke. In that case, Downey recommends using wearable wrist weights for standard arm exercises, such as biceps curls, or shoulder exercises, such as rows.

Should I strength train with bands or dumbbells? ›

Dumbbells can be better for building muscle

If you want to increase your muscle mass, you need to lift heavy weights. While you can load your muscles with high resistance using bands, in general, if your strength-training goal is hypertrophy, dumbbells are a more effective training tool.

Do lifting straps matter? ›

No matter what kind of pulls you're doing, straps are always handy. Any pulling exercise such as deadlifts, snatch grip deadlifts, snatch or clean pulls, or hang pulls are commonly done with straps. You should do a combination of pulls both with and without straps to maintain adequate grip strength.

Why wear jockstrap to gym? ›

That's where jockstraps come in handy. They provide extra support to keep everything in place, reducing the uncomfortable bouncing and jostling that can occur during high-impact exercises. Not only does this extra support make for a more comfortable workout, but it can also prevent injury.

Do jockstraps prevent hernias? ›

Jocks offer no protection against the relatively common inguinal hernia, in which a portion of the gut descends through the canal that contains the spermatic cord.

Should men wear supporters on all exercise days? ›

You should always wear a supporter when you're exercising. In the same way, that you wear a helmet to protect your head, you need to wear a supporter to protect your groin area. When you do not wear a protective cup inside your supporter, you run the risk of receiving a stiff kick to the groin.

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