Not Your Average Stretchy Shorts: Opedix CORE-Tec

Between cycling, spinning, triathlon, running and yoga, there’s a lot of spandex in my closet. It’s comfortable, it moves with me, and hey, what else would you expect a Fit Bottomed Girl to wear?

But support? Other than supporting my mission to be awesome, I never thought of my spandex garments as being particularly supportive, so when Opedix contacted me about their CORE-Tec Shorts, I was definitely interested.

They’re not your mama’s bike shorts, and they’re not your grandma’s support garments. Credit: Opedix

Here’s the deal: The shorts utilize 29-panel construction, plus, they have both stretch and non-stretch fabrics (90 percent nylon, 10 percent spandex), so while they have enough give to hug your curves, they don’t stretch, like, indefinitely. They hold tight.

So, what does that really mean? Basically, they’re designed to promote core stability and pelvic region alignment while supporting the lower back or hip pain during any number of activities (post-surgical rehabilitation, running, yoga … pretty much anything).

Since I deal with lower back pain on a fairly frequent basis, I was geeked to give them a try. First impression: Yep, they’re snug. But, if you’re familiar with cycling shorts (and these look very similar), you may be familiar with what I call “the sausage effect,” which occurs when the bottom bands on your legs are extra tight and, no matter how lean your legs are, they still look like a bit like sausages. Anyway, these don’t do that, at least, not on my legs. I don’t know how they manage that magic considering they’re so form-fitting, but I’ll take it!

Now, it’s hard to give a definitive answer as to whether these helped with my lower back pain or not, but I will say that, over the last few months, I’ve made a point to wear them when my back is feeling a bit wonky, and I’ve had no trouble getting through a workout. I can’t say for certain that this wouldn’t have been the case if I’d worn something else, but if I had to give a final answer, I’d say that yes, there’s a benefit to wearing them.

(Plus, I’ve gotten compliments on them, so there’s that.)

Now, the downside: These babies aren’t cheap. The shorts, which I have, are $165, and the tights are $225. That’s not exactly pocket change for most of us. But, if you’re plagued by lower back or hip pain and are looking for products that will help you stay active, this is worth a shot. Plus, they offer a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re as psyched about the concept as I was, why not try it out?

Do you have any workout gear that doubles as support for an area of weakness in your body? If not, is it something you’d try? Why or why not? —Kristen