As part of a very scientific poll, I put the question on my own Instagram account. I found that 22% of people who follow me prefer to be skin-to-skin with leggings, with one friend saying that while she wears underwear with leggings, she’d never wear them under cycling shorts or rowing lycras (she’s a cox) and another saying the opposite (commando with leggings, pants with shorts).

I’m a runner and cyclist and while I kind of get people who run commando (although I’m a massive advocate of running in period pants once a month, so regular knickers are hardly an issue), the thought of getting on a saddle without a little extra cloth down there makes me shudder.

Gynaecological doctor and co-founder of HANX, Dr Sarah Welsh, has the same reaction. “One word: chafing!” she tells Stylist when asked whether it’s better to go commando or not while exercising.

“We wear underwear to act as a barrier, protecting our clothes from vaginal discharge, blood and sweat, and also to protect our vulva and vagina from irritation from clothes. Not wearing underwear when working out can be problematic as this will likely cause pain/chafing and excessive heat and moisture in the area.”

It’s not just that it can be uncomfortable. “Warm and moist areas can encourage the growth of infections such as thrush,” Dr Walsh continues. “Tight lycra (often worn at the gym) can also lead to vaginitis, which is inflammation and soreness of the vagina, including bacterial vaginosis. No commando workout is worth it!”

Should you wear underwear under gym leggings? Women are divided about workout gear