The Chubbies Ultimate Training Short is a men’s workout short designed for tackling a little bit of everything. This short delivers a snug compression liner for security and a 4-way stretch for mobility.
As someone on the never-ending quest of finding the best men’s workout shorts, I was super excited to put the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short to the test. I had heard really good things about the compression liners used in Chubbies shorts.
Overall, the Ultimate Training Short held its own for some of my toughest cross-training workouts and even during long pickleball sessions. There are a couple of cons I found with this short which I’ll discuss below.
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Who Should Invest In the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short?
The Chubbies Ultimate Training Short is a good workout short for guys that prioritize built-in compression liners in their shorts. Essentially, I think the big callout for the Ultimate Training Short is their compression liner and how it performs.
The compression liner in this short hugs the thighs well, it’s mobile, and it delivers a good level of comfort. If you’re worried about a compression liner hugging your thighs and keeping them secure, then the Ultimate Training Short is a good option to look into.
Personally, I felt that this short performs best for recreational lifting, HIIT workouts, and athletic-style training sessions. I also think it’s a good model for light runs and daily wear if you want a short with a snugger compression liner.
I also think the pocket system is pretty stellar in these shorts. The pocket on the compression liner is a nice touch for occasions when you’re running and need to stash your phone.
Chubbies Ultimate Training Short
$79.50
Best For
- Cross-Training and CrossFit
- Athletic-Style Training Sessions
- Comfort and Casual Wear
- Light to Moderate Length Runs
- Compression Liner Snugness
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
Chubbies Ultimate Training Short Pros
Over the course of my testing and review process, I’ve found multiple pros and things to like about the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short.
- Good Jack-of-All-Trades Short
- Compression Liner Is Snug and Mobile
- Deep Seams Promote Good Mobility
The first aspect to like about the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short is they’re a good well-rounded short in regard to performance and construction. This short can perform well in a lot of different contexts which makes them a good option for versatility.
They’re mobile enough for tackling deep squats, they’re lightweight and fairly durable for CrossFit workouts, and they have a good level of breathability for running and outdoor training sessions.
I think if you’re looking for a men’s workout short that can perform well in a lot of different contexts, then the Ultimate Training Short is a good option to explore. They have a decent pocket system, the waistband security is good, the materials feel durable, and they’re plenty mobile.
I also like the comfort that the Ultimate Training Short delivers for daily wear, especially on days when I want a layer of compression. In my opinion, the compression liner and shell construction, and appearance are also solid. The longer liner is a pretty unique look.
The second aspect I like about the Ultimate Training Short is its compression liner. The built-in liner in these shorts is awesome and it’s definitely one of the better liners for snugness and “locking everything down”.
Whether I was running, clean & jerking, or jumping, I never had issues with security and the compression liner has a nice level of mobility. So despite it hugging everything tighter than other shorts’ liners, you never really feel limited in the Ultimate Training Short.
I also like that the right side of the compression liner has a pocket for your phone. It’s a nice subtle addition that gives this short a nice edge for versatility when running and training outdoors with headphones.
The final aspect to like about the Ultimate Training Short is their deep side seams. This model features a nice gusset with deep seams which adds to the mobility of this short while also making them a good pick for guys with bigger thighs.
Personally, I like how secure and snug the compression liner feels and I enjoy that the 4-way stretch shell doesn’t hug too much. It feels nice and wispy sitting on top of the compression liner which is awesome for giving this short a contrast in material and feel.
Chubbies Ultimate Training Short Cons
Across the board, the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short has been a strong performer. However, there are a couple of cons to note about this model.
- Not the Most Cost-Efficient
- Drawstring Can Be a Little Awkward
The first drawback to note about the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short is that their price point is pretty high. For the Ultimate Training Short, you can expect to pay around $79.50 USD which is fairly high.
For my compression liner-focused guys, I think the price point could be justified. However, if you’re already on a budget and $79.50 USD is too high for what you want to spend, then you could definitely find more cost-efficient workout shorts.
The second drawback to the Ultimate Training Short is that the drawstring can be a little awkward at times. This short features a dual-waistband construction, so the shell and compression liner both have separate waistbands.
This is great for waistband security, however, this leaves the drawstring just kind of hanging out under the shell. The drawstring is internal on the shell, but there’s nowhere to really stick it if you need to really tighten your shorts.
I could see this being an issue for folks who need to double knot their drawstring when doing things like burpees and other exercises where abrasion could cause the drawstring to come loose or be uncomfortable.
Performance
To discuss the performance of Chubbies Ultimate Training Short, I’m going to break this section into multiple parts to talk about this short’s performance for lifting, versatile training, shorter runs, and daily wear.
Since this short does have a slightly high price point, I think it’s important to truly understand and make sure if this model is a good fit for your performance needs.
Testing the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short for Lifting and CrossFit
In the context of lifting, I like how the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short performs. This short has a nice level of mobility which is awesome for different types of workouts and the waistband provides a good level of security.
I never felt limited when tackling deep squats and the construction didn’t feel like it was overextending even when hitting maximal depth. The compression liner also felt like it was mobile enough to withstand the stress of deep-loaded hip flexion which is something that lacks in the Pace Breaker from Lulu.
For CrossFit, I like the performance of Ultimate Training Short for two reasons. First, I like how well the compression liner hugs the guys and keeps them locked down. When you’re tackling WODs with jumps and cleans security can be really important.
Second, I enjoy that the shell doesn’t get hung up a ton on my thighs during different workouts. Nothing can be more annoying than having to adjust your shorts when in a time-focused workout.
Honestly, this is a subtle perk that I feel like you don’t realize you enjoy until you’ve used a short that constantly gets stuck up on the quads and adductors when training.
Testing the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short for Versatile Training
For versatile training including HIIT workouts, plyometrics, classes, and more athletic-style training, the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short performed strongly across the board.
The key callouts for this short’s performance in this context are its lightweight construction, 4-way stretch shell, and secure waistband. This short has a more athletic feel with how the compression liner and shell interact with one another.
They feel good in warmer settings and their breathability is pretty solid. I’ve played 3-4 hours of pickleball in these shorts in 98-degree weather (yeah, the head was real that day) and these shorts kept me pretty cool and I never felt them getting sweat logged.
For plyometrics and HIIT workouts, the waistband security and snug compression liner are pretty awesome. Nothing feels like it’s bouncing around and you rarely have to adjust this short’s waistband when training.
Testing the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short for Running and Daily Wear
For running, the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short will be best for short to mid-range runs. They feel light enough for these running contexts and their compression liner pocket is nice for carrying your phone and the posterior zip pocket is good for keys and cards.
If you’re planning to use this short to run longer distances, then I think they’ll perform okay, but honestly, I could see the longer liner bothering some runners since you’ll likely want something much more lightweight and minimalist.
On a daily wear basis, I like the Ultimate Training Short and I think they have a unique appearance to them. Granted, some of their colorways are a little too loud for my liking, however, the more subtle colorways with a little color are pretty awesome.
I think if you like having more color in your shorts, then you’ll enjoy the Ultimate Training Short for daily wear. They also have decent pockets for carrying your belongings. Note, if you plan to use your shorts for daily wear often, then you may want to size up for a more roomy and casual fit.
Chubbies Ultimate Training Short Sizing
When it comes to sizing in the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short, I think most guys should be safe going true-to-size based on their waist measurements and the sizes Chubbies provides.
The Ultimate Training Short has a fairly nice gusset to them so even guys with slightly bigger thighs and glutes should be fine in their true-to-size shorts. That being said, if you do have more muscular legs and more to ensure you have room, then going up a size would be a safe call.
Below, I’m wearing a medium 5.5″ inseam Ultimate Training Short. I went with the “Secret Agents” colorway. I’m providing my dimensions below to help provide some context for how the shorts fit on me.
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Weight: 181 lbs
- Waist: 32-33″
- Hip (circumference around butt): 40″
- Mid-Thigh: 23.5″-24″
The mediums fit me well and these are definitely a good call for a snugger fit. I think for my next pair of the Ultimate Training Short, I’ll likely go with a large just to give my quads a little extra room in the compression liner when I’m doing lower body hypertrophy and pump work.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions on the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short or how they fit and compare to other men’s workout shorts, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally and I can help you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short, you can expect to pay $79.50 USD. Compared to other models, the Ultimate Training Short is definitely a bit more on the pricey side, and I think their price can be a little hit or miss.
If you’re focused on investing in a pair of shorts with a very snug compression liner, then the price can make sense for this model. The Ultimate Training Short is one of the better workout shorts on the market when it comes to having a snug liner.
That being said, if you’re not worried about the liner of your shorts, then you could definitely shop around and find more budget-friendly training shorts that will deliver similar levels of versatility.
Construction Details
Below, I’m going to provide some of the key construction details that influence the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short’s performance and overall durability.
If you have additional questions on the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short’s construction, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Can I swim in Chubbies Shorts?
Q:Are Chubbies comfortable?
Q:Do Chubbies fit to size?
Q:Can you do CrossFit in Chubbies?
Takeaway Thoughts
If you want a workout short with a snug and tighter compression liner, then the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short is a really good option to explore. This model’s 4-way stretch shell and spandex/elastic compression liner both deliver a nice level of comfort and performance.
I think the Ultimate Training Short will be best for those that plan to use them for CrossFit, HIIT workouts, and more athletic-style training sessions.
The price point on these shorts could be better, so if this price point doesn’t work for you and you’re not necessarily hyper-focused on the compression liner in your shorts, then I’d suggest continuing to shop around.
If you have any additional questions on the Chubbies Ultimate Training Short, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
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