FAQs
Protective cups consist of a hard outer shell lined with padding that protects a male athlete's groin area. Jockstraps, also called athletic supporters, are similar to underwear -- at least in the front. The supporter has an open back with straps and a snug-fitting front pouch that keeps everything in place.
How effective are athletic cups? ›
The good news is that modern athletic cups are highly effective in absorbing impact and preventing groin injuries. If you enjoy participating in sports, you're no doubt aware of the importance of wearing the right protective gear.
Is there a female version of an athletic cup? ›
lobloo Aeroslim Female Patented Athletic Pelvic Cup for Standup Sports as Kick-, Thai Boxing, Karate, Hockey, Baseball.
What is a cup supporter? ›
A jockstrap, also a jock (male), jill (female), strap, cup, groin guard, pelvic protector (female), supporter, or athletic supporter, is an undergarment for protecting the testes and penis or vulva during contact sports or other vigorous physical activity.
What size supporter should I wear? ›
Be aware that if you intend to wear your supporter over your underwear, you should take the measurement while wearing underwear. Small: 26 to 32 inches. Medium: 34 to 38 inches. Large: 40 to 44 inches.
Why would a man wear a jockstrap? ›
Jocks are specially designed to keep the boys in place and minimize shifting when you're running, jumping, stretching, and bending. They maximize leg movement, and their lift and flexibility also reduce groin strains and keep genital slip-outs from turning into painful injuries.
How tight should an athletic cup be? ›
“A properly sized cup should fit comfortably around the groin area and shouldn't touch the testicl*s,” says Dr. Baber. If the cup shifts or feels too loose, choose a different size.
Can I wear an athletic cup all day? ›
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.
How does an athletic cup stay in place? ›
Usually cups have small holes allowing for airflow, and may have a gel material inside for comfort. The cup is held in place by an athletic supporter or “jock strap.” These are made from cloth, with an elastic waistband and straps around the legs. The supporter should have a pouch to hold the cup.
What is a Jill strap? ›
jillstrap (plural jillstraps) (informal) A pelvic protector, a woman's equivalent of a man's jockstrap.
Go to an athletic or sporting goods store. Look for a cup that corresponds with your waist size. If they don't list the waist sizes on the packaging, use the general sizing recommendations to get a size that will fit you.
Why do girls wear cups? ›
Pelvic Protection For Women
The size of this area may be one reason women don't think about the risk as much as men. The female version of the “athletic cup” is often called a “pelvic protector”, and some call them a “jill” (as opposed to a man's “jock”).
How do you wear an athletic supporter? ›
Choose an athletic supporter that fits comfortably around your waist. The waist band should be wider than that of your regular underwear. Put the jockstrap on as if it were a pair of briefs. Hold the jock to the front of your body so that the waistband stretches horizontally in front of you.
Can you wear a cup daily? ›
Generally, if you follow the rules of safe menstrual cup wear, you should be able to safely wear one every day. If you have a significant amount of discharge, though, you may want to rule out an underlying medical condition, such as a yeast infection.
Are athletic cups uncomfortable? ›
One way to help avoid these complications is to wear protective gear such as an athletic cup. Young boys are often resistant to wearing a protective athletic cup for the first time. It is hard and uncomfortable and interferes with their focus on learning the game. The Comfy Cup was invented to solve this problem.
What is the female equivalent of a jockstrap? ›
A jockstrap is an undergarment for protecting genitalia during any contact sports. For women, the undergarment is known as jill string. A jockstrap/ jill string consists of an elastic waistband and a support pouch for the genitalia.
How do you wear an athletic supporter cup? ›
Insert the cup into the pocket in the front of the jock strap, narrow end down. Move it around and adjust it so that it encases your genitals snugly but comfortably. Secure the elastic, Velcro or snap closure to hold the cup in place and keep it from slipping around and pinching you.
Which is better compression shorts or 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.
What is an alternative to a jockstrap? ›
Thanks to Underwear For Men, you are able to feel comfortable in your mens underwear without getting the discomfort of chafing. Whether you experience irritation from walking at work, working out at the gym, or moving around on the weekends, our boxer briefs are the right alternative to the jockstrap.
Do professional athletes wear jockstraps? ›
Many players tend to either wear jockstraps - but there are some players that prefer compression shorts.
It is better to wear a cup in a cup-jockstrap and then wear tight fitting compression shorts over the cup-jockstrap to hold the cup firmly in place and tight against the body. In many sports such as football, compression shorts are now preferred by many athletes.
How do you clean an athletic cup? ›
To prolong the lifetime of your Comfy Cup, we recommend hand washing and air drying. However, if you forget every once in a while and leave it tucked inside your slider pants, the Comfy Cup™ is able to withstand a few machine washes and even some dryer time.
At what age should a boy wear a cup? ›
But once a boy hits age seven, or engages in more vigorous competition, he should wear one. “There are two types -- one providing support for comfort, and one adding a cup for more protection.
Are groin cups comfortable? ›
Some fencers say that groin protectors are awkward and uncomfortable to wear, but with the right purchase and the right fit, the gear should fit comfortably. There are two basic options when shopping for a groin protector: hard cup and soft cup. Hard cups are typically used in baseball, boxing, and hockey.
Do NFL players wear cups? ›
players protect their home field. Strange as it might seem, however, N.F.L. players do not protect — in any way, apparently — perhaps their most sensitive possession. “In my life, at every level, I have never worn a cup,” Giants tight end Martellus Bennett said this week.
Should you wear supporter while running? ›
Pl. Wear supporter while running. With out it may problem in pain and swelling in testis more.
How do I keep my cup from falling down? ›
Ensure you have the right size menstrual cup for your anatomy. Follow the user guide, ensuring the cup is inserted at a 45-degree angle, not straight up. Ensure a good seal has been formed. Insert the cup when it is completely dry – having lubricant on the cup may cause it to slip lower.
Can you wear a cup all the time? ›
Most menstrual cups can stay in for up to 12 hours before being emptied and rinsed. This means you can wear one when you're sleeping, or all day long.
Can an athletic cup break? ›
Hazard: The cups can break if hit, posing a risk of serious injury hazard to athletes. Incidents/Injuries: Under Armour has received five reports of cups breaking, including an injury involving cuts and bruising.
What is a jockey strap? ›
Noun. jockstrap (plural jockstraps) (sports) An athletic supporter worn by men and boys to support the genitals during strenuous exercise. quotations ▼ synonyms ▲ Synonyms: jock, strap, groin guard, supporter, athletic supporter.
(US, slang) A young male athlete (through college age). (US, slang, derogatory) An enthusiastic athlete or sports fan, especially one with few other interests, often stereotyped as slow-witted person of large size and great physical strength.
How do you size a jock? ›
HOW TO SIZE A HOCKEY JOCK OR JILL
- Measure the circumference of your waist just above the hips. ...
- Once you have the appropriate size picked out, there are a couple of areas to check in order to know if it is the right fit. ...
- The waistband should fit comfortably around the waist without feeling constrictive or too loose.
How do you know what size cup to buy? ›
Take your bust measurement (usually the bigger number) and subtract your band measurement. This number corresponds with your cup size. If your bust measurement and band measurement are the same number, you're an AA cup.
Do groin cups work? ›
Boxers should wear groin guards to protect them against either accidental or illegal intentional hits below the belt. Cup protection reduces the impact of a blow to prevent damage to the groin area. However, a cup does not keep a fighter from feeling the pain of a direct hit.
Is an A cup bigger than a AA cup? ›
That number represents your cup size. For less than one inch you are a AA cup, for one inch you are an A cup, for two inches you are a B cup, for three inches you are C cup, for four inches you are a D cup and for five inches you are a DD cup.
What is athletic support? ›
noun. an elasticated belt with a pouch worn by men, esp athletes, to support the genitals. Also called: athletic support.
Do NFL players wear athletic supporters? ›
Strange as it might seem, however, N.F.L. players do not protect — in any way, apparently — perhaps their most sensitive possession. “In my life, at every level, I have never worn a cup,” Giants tight end Martellus Bennett said this week. “I don't know anyone who has.
Why do athletes wear cups? ›
Why does he need an athletic cup or supporter? A: It is very important for boys to wear an athletic cup to protect their groin area from blunt trauma injuries when playing sports.
How do you know what athletic cup size you are? ›
Select the size of athletic cup that you want. Size is determined by age and body mass. Boys aged five and up, reaching 4 feet 6 inches and 80 pounds should wear a cup 1 3/4 inches in depth. Youths age 11 and up, reaching 5 feet 6 inches and 110 pounds should wear a cup 2 inches in depth.
Which is better jockstrap or compression shorts? ›
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.
The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and racewalking.
What do football players wear to protect their privates? ›
Like how a hard plastic helmet protects the head, a cup is worn to protect the private parts. A cup is typically made of hard plastic, which sits on a jockstrap or some spandex material. It is in the shape of a male's legs and provides enough comfort and space for players to move around.
Do NFL players wear jockstraps anymore? ›
That's why they are equipped with the best gear protection possible such as helmets, mouthguard or even knee pads. This leads me to answer this question: Do American football players wear jockstraps? American football players do wear jockstraps every time they play the game.
Why don t NFL players wear cups anymore? ›
It's a comfort thing and a macho thing, he says. The cups are too bulky and obtrusive for today's player.
Why do male athletes wear bras? ›
In sport, a male bra is often used by sporting clubs to evaluate players with real-time statistics. It contains a tracking device (similar to a woman's sports bra with a heart rate monitor) that detects heart rate, distance traveled, fatigue, and other statistics that a coach can use to evaluate a player.
Can you wear an athletic cup all day? ›
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.