Best Athletic Shorts When Range of Motion Is Limited

The best athletic shorts for physical therapy are the Alaroo Bermuda Athletic Workout Running Long Shorts, because a 9" inseam and a relaxed leg opening keep the hem in place through seated and floor work. If you'd rather have a drawstring and a cotton-blend feel, the Hanes Womens Jersey Pocket Shorts run a 7" inseam and weigh just 5.76 oz. Inseam is the figure that splits this field. Everything else follows it.

Best athletic shorts for physical therapy at a glance

How I cut a crowded field down to seven

Three things knocked listings out before I compared anything else.

First, no published inseam and no published weight. A pair with neither figure is a pair you cannot judge on the two things that matter most on a treatment mat. One pick here still lacks a stated inseam, and it earned its place on weight instead.

Second, compression-style fits. Short, tight, high-cut shorts are fine for sprinting and awkward for the bridges, clamshells and long-sitting positions that fill a rehab session. I kept the relaxed and Bermuda cuts.

Third, listings with no stated pocket arrangement. You put a phone down a lot during a session, and where it goes changes whether you keep it on you or leave it on a bench.

What survived is a mix of seven: three published inseams above 8", two published weights under 7 oz, one two-pack, and four pairs with at least one zipped pocket. Every one is a single unit except the Amazon Essentials, which ships as a pack of 2. I lined up the size, colour, weight and inseam figures side by side, then ranked on how well each one holds its shape while you move through positions rather than while you run in a straight line.

Why inseam length decides this more than fabric does

Almost every listing in this set leads with fabric. Lightweight, quick-dry, four-way stretch, buttery soft. Those words appear on nearly all seven, which makes them useless for choosing between them.

Inseam is different, because it's a number and it changes what you can do in the shorts. A 5" inseam rides up when you pull a knee to your chest. A 9" inseam does not. That's the whole argument.

Here's the range across the picks:

• 9": Alaroo Bermuda, and the longest option in the G Gradual men's short
• 8.5": Oalka Hiking Cargo
• 8" on a Medium: Amazon Essentials
• 7": Hanes Jersey, G Gradual women's short
• 5": the shortest option in the G Gradual men's short
• Not published: Russell Athletic

Alaroo's listing ties the two together directly, saying the relaxed leg opening prevents riding up and the 9" inseam gives coverage above the knee to avoid chafing. That's the mechanism spelled out. G Gradual's women's short makes the same claim about a relaxed fit that won't ride up and bind the thigh, at 7".

The practical cutoff sits around 7". Below it, hem position becomes something you manage. At or above it, you stop thinking about it. If you're mostly doing standing work and band exercises, a shorter cut is fine. If your programme involves floor time, go long and stop reading spec sheets.

Does the physical therapy label mean anything here?

Not on the listings themselves. None of these seven are sold as rehab garments, none carry a clinical claim, and none should be read as medical equipment. They're athletic shorts that happen to work well or badly in a clinic setting, and the difference comes down to cut, waistband and pockets rather than anything a manufacturer wrote.

That matters because the best athletic shorts for physical therapy is a shopper's category, not a product category. Amazon returns general activewear for it. So judge the listings on what they actually publish and match it to what your sessions involve.

Three things worth asking before you buy:

1. Does the hem clear your knee at the longest position you'll hold? Long-sitting, supine knee-to-chest and side-lying all pull a hem upward.
2. Can you get the waistband on and off without bending far? A wide elastic band pulls up easily. A drawstring needs two hands and some reach.
3. Will a therapist need to see or touch the knee? A 9" Bermuda cut covers more than a 5" short, which cuts both ways depending on the joint being worked on.

Anything beyond that, ask your own clinician. This guide compares published specifications, not treatment plans.

1. Alaroo Bermuda Athletic Workout Running Long Shorts — Best overall

The longest published inseam here paired with the widest waistband makes this the pair that stays where you put it through floor work.

Best for: anyone doing seated and floor work who wants a 9" inseam Skip it if: you need a zipped pocket for keys

The differentiator is that Alaroo publishes both halves of the fit story. Nine inches of inseam, and a relaxed leg opening that the brand says prevents riding up and avoids chafing above the knee. Only one other pick in this set offers a 9" length, and that one only as one option among three.

The waistband is the second reason it wins. Alaroo describes a soft, wide high-waisted band with gentle tummy control. On a mat, a wide band does something specific: it resists rolling when you flex at the hip, which is exactly when a narrow elastic band digs in or folds over. There's no drawstring, so getting dressed takes one motion.

It's also the cheapest of the seven, which is unusual for a pick that leads on specifications rather than price.

Two side pockets are described as deep and secure enough for a phone, cards or keys. Neither closes. That's the trade-off against the G Gradual pairs and the Oalka, all of which zip something shut. Sizing here is a Medium in Black, one pair per order, and the listing offers no published weight, so you're going on fabric description rather than a figure.

Pros:

• Longest single published inseam in this set at 9"
• Wide high-waisted band resists rolling at the hip
• The cheapest of the seven picks
• Relaxed leg opening claimed to prevent riding up
• No drawstring to manage when dressing

Cons:

• Neither pocket closes, so keys can fall out on a mat
• No published weight figure
• Black in Medium is the only combination listed here
• Sells more slowly than several cheaper-positioned picks in this set

2. Hanes Womens Jersey Pocket Shorts — Runner-up

A 7" cotton-blend jersey short at 5.76 oz, and the pair buyers here choose more often than any other women's option in the set.

Best for: cotton loyalists who want a 7" inseam and a drawstring Skip it if: you sweat heavily or want quick-dry fabric

This is the outlier of the seven and the reason it's here. Every other pick sells synthetic performance fabric. Hanes publishes a fabric breakdown instead: 90% cotton and 10% polyester in the Light Steel colourway listed, with other colours running to 100% cotton. If synthetic knits make you itch during a long session, that's the whole argument.

At 5.76 oz it's the lightest pair in this set with a published weight, undercutting the Russell short by 0.64 oz. The 7" inseam is stated outright, not claimed, and it sits at the practical cutoff I described earlier: enough to cover the thigh in long-sitting, not enough to forget about entirely.

The waistband combines soft stretch with a workable drawstring, which Hanes calls a wide band. That's the most adjustable arrangement in the set alongside the two G Gradual pairs. It also sells faster than every pick here except the G Gradual men's short.

Cotton is the cost. It holds sweat rather than moving it, and it dries slowly, so a heavy session leaves you sitting in a damp short. Two front pockets, both open. Model O9264, Medium, one pair.

Pros:

• Published fabric blend, unusual in this set
• Lightest published weight here at 5.76 oz
• Stated 7" inseam rather than a claim
• Drawstring plus stretch waistband for a dialled-in fit
• Sells faster than five of the seven picks

Cons:

• Cotton blend holds moisture and dries slowly
• No zipped or closing pocket
• No stated price position for comparison in this set
• Marketed partly as loungewear, so the cut is casual rather than athletic

3. G Gradual Men's Athletic Running Shorts with 2 Zipper — Most versatile

Three inseam options in one listing, so you pick the length instead of accepting it, and this is the pair buyers choose most often here.

Best for: one pair that covers gym, walking and outdoor sessions Skip it if: you want the cheapest way into the category

No other listing in this set lets you choose your inseam. G Gradual publishes 5", 7" and 9" on the same product, which means you can buy the 9" for floor sessions and know the fabric and pockets are identical to the pair a straight-line runner would pick. That flexibility is the reason it takes the versatility label.

Both pockets zip. That's the difference against the Alaroo, and it's the one that matters if you carry keys through supine work. G Gradual describes each side pocket as deep and sized for keys, phone, earbuds or cards. The waistband pairs elastic with an adjustable drawstring, which the brand says keeps the shorts put during intense activity.

The listing also claims UPF 50+ fabric, useful if part of your programme happens outdoors. Treat that as the manufacturer's rating rather than a measured one.

It sells faster than any other pick here, by a wide margin. It's also positioned as one of the two most expensive shorts in the set, and the sizing shown is an X-Large in Black with no published weight or inseam confirmation for the specific pair listed. You're choosing length at checkout, which means reading the size chart carefully.

Pros:

• Only pick offering 5", 7" and 9" inseam choices
• Two zipped side pockets keep keys secure
• Elastic waistband plus adjustable drawstring
• The pair buyers choose most often in this set
• UPF 50+ fabric claim for outdoor sessions

Cons:

• Among the two most expensive picks here
• No published weight figure
• Inseam depends on which option you select, so mistakes are easy
• Single colour listed in the size shown

4. Amazon Essentials Men's Athletic Basketball Gym Shorts — Best upgrade

The only pack of 2 here, which turns laundry from a scheduling problem into a non-issue.

Best for: anyone who wants two pairs so laundry never dictates the schedule Skip it if: you need a fitted waistband that stays put on the floor

Six of these seven picks ship one pair. This ships two, in Black and Grey, at 0.65 lb for the pair together. If you're going three times a week, that's the difference between washing mid-week and not. It's the practical upgrade in this set and it costs less than either G Gradual pick.

The published inseam is 8" on a US Medium, which lands between the Hanes at 7" and the Oalka at 8.5". Amazon Essentials calls this its most generous fit, relaxed through the hip, thigh and leg, and says it sits below the waist. On paper that's the roomiest cut here.

It also carries the most complete specification list of the seven: model 13215, released in 2020, 0.65 lb, and a stated inseam. Nothing is left to a fabric adjective.

The loose basketball cut is the catch. Shorts that sit below the waist and run generous through the hip shift around during side-lying and bridging work, and the adjustable elasticated waistband with drawcord helps less than a high wide band does. The listed size is Large, and the fabric description stays generic: ultra-lightweight, breathable, quick-dry, moisture-wicking.

Pros:

• Only pack of 2 in this set
• Published 8" inseam on a US Medium
• Most complete specification list of the seven
• Two colours included, Black and Grey
• Adjustable drawcord in the elasticated waistband

Cons:

• Sits below the waist, so it shifts during floor work
• Loose basketball cut is the least secure here
• No stated sales position for comparison
• Fabric described in generic performance terms only

5. G Gradual Women's Athletic Shorts with Zipper Pocket 7" — Best premium

Three pockets including a rear zip, on a 4-inch waistband that's the widest published figure in this set.

Best for: a 4-inch waistband and a back zip pocket in one pair Skip it if: you would rather spend the least in this set

This is the most expensive pick here, and the reason is pocket count plus waistband build. Two deep front side pockets, one back zipper pocket. No other pair in this set puts a closing pocket at the back, which is where a phone stops interfering with hip work.

The waistband is the specification I'd point to first: 4 inches wide with high elastic, which G Gradual says gives full coverage and tummy control. Alaroo describes a wide band without publishing the number, so this is the only measured waistband figure among the seven. A 4-inch band spreads pressure across the abdomen rather than concentrating it at one line, and that's what keeps it from folding when you flex.

Fabric is described as soft with four-way stretch, and the cut is a relaxed 7" that the brand says won't ride up and bind the thigh. Briar Rose in X-Large is the listing shown.

Two problems. The 7" length is 2 inches shorter than the Alaroo for a higher price position, so you pay more for less coverage. And there's no published weight, which makes it hard to compare against the 5.76 oz Hanes or the 6.4 oz Russell on how it'll feel in a warm treatment room.

Pros:

• Only pick with a rear zipped pocket
• Widest published waistband here at 4 inches
• Three pockets total, most in any single pair
• Four-way stretch fabric claim
• Relaxed 7" cut described as non-binding

Cons:

• Most expensive pick in this set
• 2 inches shorter than the winner despite costing more
• No published weight figure
• Sells more slowly than five of the seven picks

6. Russell Athletic Men's Dri-Power Performance Short with — Best for pros

At 6.4 oz this is the second-lightest published weight here, and it's the simplest short in the set.

Best for: the lightest pair here at 6.4 oz for warm-room sessions Skip it if: you want a published inseam figure before buying

Russell publishes a weight, and that's what earns it a spot. At 6.4 oz it undercuts every pick here except the Hanes, and it does that in a synthetic fabric rather than cotton. In a warm clinic that combination matters more than a pocket count.

The design is deliberately plain. An elastic waistband with no drawstring, two pockets, moisture-wicking Dri-Power fabric, and an "R RUSSELL" mark on the right leg. Model TS7X2M0, Black, X-Large. If you want a short that does one job without a zip, a cargo flap or a tummy-control panel, this is it, and it sits mid-range for price in this set.

The elastic-only waistband is worth thinking about. It's fast to pull on, which helps if bending is currently difficult, but there's no drawstring to tighten if the fit runs loose. Compare that against the Hanes, which gives you both.

The gap is the inseam. Russell publishes weight and dimensions but no length figure, and in a category where hem position is the deciding factor, that's a real hole. You're buying blind on the one specification I'd weight highest, which is why it sits sixth rather than higher.

Pros:

• Second-lightest published weight here at 6.4 oz
• Synthetic moisture-wicking fabric rather than cotton
• Elastic waistband pulls on in one motion
• Mid-range price position in this set
• Simplest design here, nothing to snag

Cons:

• No published inseam, the figure that matters most
• No drawstring, so fit cannot be tightened
• Neither pocket closes
• Fewest published features of any pick here

7. Oalka Women's Hiking Cargo Shorts Lightweight Zipper — Best minimal setup

Four pockets and an 8.5" inseam in one pair, so you carry everything on you and bring nothing else.

Best for: an 8.5" inseam with four pockets and no extra kit Skip it if: you want a soft, high-stretch knit

The pocket count is the story. Two slant pockets at the front, two on the thigh, one of those zipped and one closed with velcro. Oalka calls all four deep and roomy enough for a phone. That's the most storage of any pick here, and it's why this takes the minimal setup label: no bag, no armband, no bench pile.

The published inseam is 8.5", second only to the Alaroo's 9". Oalka says that length covers the thighs, and the elastic waistband with drawstring accommodates a range of fits. It's also the second-cheapest of the seven, which is a strong combination against the two G Gradual picks.

The fabric is where it diverges from everything else in this set. Oalka describes it as soft, lightweight and splash-resistant with slight stretch, plus a light water resistance and a UPF 50+ claim. Slight stretch is the operative phrase: this is a woven hiking short, not a knit.

That's the trade. Against the four-way stretch of the G Gradual women's short or the buttery knit Alaroo describes, a woven cargo short flexes less at the hip and knee. Thigh pockets also add bulk exactly where a side-lying position puts pressure. Charcoal in Large, model MOKDSWK-chl-17-L, no published weight.

Pros:

• Four pockets, the most in this set
• One zip and one velcro closure for secure storage
• Published 8.5" inseam, second-longest here
• Second-cheapest of the seven picks
• UPF 50+ and splash-resistance claims for outdoor work

Cons:

• Only slight stretch, the least flexible fabric here
• Thigh pockets add bulk during side-lying work
• No published weight figure
• Slowest seller of the seven picks

Waistbands: drawstring, wide elastic, or both?

Three arrangements appear across these seven, and the right one depends less on your workout than on how easily you can reach down right now.

Wide elastic, no drawstring. Alaroo and Russell Athletic. Fastest to get on and off, nothing to untie, nothing to dig in. Alaroo goes high-waisted and wide, which is the arrangement least likely to roll during hip flexion. Russell keeps it plain. The limitation is that if the fit is loose out of the box, you can't fix it.

Elastic plus drawstring. Hanes, both G Gradual picks, Amazon Essentials, Oalka. Five of seven. You get a tunable fit that stays put through movement, at the cost of two hands and some reach at the start.

Published width figures. Only two listings give you a number. G Gradual's women's short states 4 inches. Alaroo says wide without measuring it. Everyone else describes the band in adjectives.

That last point is the one I'd act on. A 4-inch band is a specification you can compare; "soft stretch waistband" is not. If waistband pressure is a factor for you, the G Gradual women's short and the Alaroo are the two to look at first, and the loose below-the-waist Amazon Essentials fit is the one to look at last.

Which pockets survive floor work?

Open pockets empty out when you lie down. That's the practical test, and it splits the set cleanly.

Pairs with at least one closing pocket:

• G Gradual men's short: two zipped side pockets
• G Gradual women's short: one rear zip
• Oalka cargo: one zip, one velcro thigh pocket

Pairs with open pockets only:

• Alaroo: two deep side pockets
• Hanes: two front pockets
• Amazon Essentials: two side pockets
• Russell Athletic: two side pockets

Four of seven have nothing that shuts. That doesn't disqualify them, because most people put the phone down anyway. It does mean keys go in a bag rather than a pocket.

The best athletic shorts for physical therapy in a mixed-use week is probably the pair with a rear zip, because the back of the hip is the one place a phone stays out of the way through both standing and supine work. That's the G Gradual women's short. If you want the same security at a lower price position, the Oalka's zipped thigh pocket does a similar job with more bulk.

When a different pick wins

Three thresholds flip the recommendation, and each is checkable before you buy.

1. Your programme is entirely standing and band work. Long inseams stop mattering. Take the Russell Athletic at 6.4 oz for the lightest option, or the Amazon Essentials pack of 2 so you always have a clean pair.
2. Synthetic fabric bothers your skin. Go straight to the Hanes. It's the only pick publishing a fabric blend, at 90% cotton and 10% polyester in the Light Steel version, and no other listing here gives you that information.
3. You carry keys and cannot leave them anywhere. Rule out the four open-pocket picks. The G Gradual men's short gives you two zips, the women's short gives you a rear zip, the Oalka gives you a zip and a velcro flap.

Two more, shorter. If you're buying for three sessions a week and washing weekly, the pack of 2 solves a problem no single pair does. And if outdoor sessions are part of the plan, the UPF 50+ claims sit on the G Gradual men's short and the Oalka.

Anyone outside those cases should default to the Alaroo. Longest single published inseam, widest style of waistband, lowest price position of the seven.

The verdict

Split this by what you're willing to spend and the picture gets simple.

At the entry end, the Alaroo Bermuda wins outright and it's the cheapest of the seven. A 9" inseam is the longest single published length here, and the wide high-waisted band is the one construction least likely to roll during hip flexion. Nothing else at this price position publishes both. Its weakness is genuine: two open pockets and nowhere secure for keys.

In the middle, the Amazon Essentials pack of 2 is the value play, with a published 8" inseam on a Medium and two pairs at 0.65 lb. The Russell Athletic sits alongside it as the lightweight option at 6.4 oz, held back by a missing inseam figure. Also worth a look at this tier is the Oalka, second-cheapest here with an 8.5" inseam and four pockets, if a woven fabric with only slight stretch suits you.

At the top, both G Gradual picks earn their positions. The men's short is the only listing offering 5", 7" and 9" and it's the pair buyers choose most often here. The women's short is the only one with a rear zip and a measured 4-inch waistband.

The cutoff is a 7" inseam. Below it, hem position becomes something you manage during every session. At or above it, you can stop thinking about it.

FAQ

Are the best athletic shorts for physical therapy worth buying separately from regular gym shorts?

Buying separately from regular gym shorts is worth it only if inseam is your problem. A 5" running short rides up during knee-to-chest and long-sitting work, and no fabric fixes that. If your current shorts already run 8" or longer with a waistband that doesn't roll, keep them. If they don't, the Alaroo's 9" cut costs the least of these seven.

What inseam should I look for in athletic shorts for physical therapy?

Look for an inseam of 7" or longer. Below that, the hem climbs during floor positions and you spend session time adjusting it. This set spans 5" to 9": Alaroo publishes 9", Oalka 8.5", Amazon Essentials 8" on a Medium, and Hanes and the G Gradual women's short both 7". Russell Athletic publishes no inseam figure at all.

Alaroo versus Hanes: which pair should I pick?

Between Alaroo and Hanes, the deciding factor is fabric. Alaroo runs a longer 9" inseam and a wide high-waisted band with no drawstring, in a stretchy quick-dry knit. Hanes gives you a 7" inseam, a drawstring, 5.76 oz of weight, and a published 90% cotton blend. Choose Hanes if synthetic fabric irritates you. Otherwise take Alaroo.

Do any of these shorts have pockets that stay shut during floor exercises?

Pockets that stay shut appear on three of the seven. The G Gradual men's short has two zipped side pockets. The G Gradual women's short has one rear zip. The Oalka cargo short has one zipped thigh pocket and one closed with velcro. The Alaroo, Hanes, Amazon Essentials and Russell picks all use open pockets only, so keys need a bag.

What mistake do people make choosing athletic shorts for rehab work?

The common mistake is choosing on fabric adjectives. Nearly every listing here says lightweight, breathable and quick-dry, so those words separate nothing. The figures that differ are inseam, weight, waistband width and pocket closures. Compare those four and the field narrows fast. Also watch the waistband height: a short that sits below the waist shifts during bridging.

Start by measuring from your crotch to just above your kneecap, then match that number against the inseam column in the table above. That single measurement eliminates most of this list in about a minute, which is faster than reading any fabric description. For most people the answer lands on the Alaroo, and the reason is worth restating: it's the only pair here that publishes a 9" inseam, a wide high-waisted band and the lowest price position of the seven all at once. Longer hem, less rolling, less money. If keys are non-negotiable, take a G Gradual instead and move on.

Last updated: October 1, 2026. Product availability re-checked.

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