Introducing the Runyon Pump-You-Up™ 7" Sweatshorts — a heavyweight unisex 100% cotton gym short for women and men and our modern interpretation of the classic American sweatshort. Made from 14 oz French Terry cotton with Runyon's original oversized side stash pockets, these natural-fiber workout shorts combine old-school athletic comfort with functional storage designed for modern training and everyday wear.

With a relaxed unisex athletic fit and versatile 7-inch inseam, the Pump-You-Up™ works especially well for women looking for a roomier cotton workout short rather than a traditionally fitted women's gym short. Built for strength training, running, hiking, yoga, recovery days, travel, lounging, and everyday movement, they offer a natural-fiber alternative to the synthetic performance shorts that dominate today's activewear market.

Our Natural Fiber Workout Shorts

Made from 14 oz USA-knitted French Terry and 100% cotton, the Pump-You-Up™ is designed for athletes looking for natural-fiber workout shorts, cotton gym shorts, and non-spandex athletic shorts. The breathable cotton construction provides a comfortable alternative to nylon- and spandex-heavy activewear while delivering the softness, absorbency, airflow, and durability that have made French Terry a classic athletic fabric for generations.

The relaxed unisex construction makes these shorts especially versatile for women who prefer a little more room through the legs and a classic athletic silhouette. The unlined design also lets you choose your preferred underwear or base layer depending on your workout and activity.

The 100% cotton version is available in Black, Sierra Sage, and Vintage Navy.

We also offer the Pump-You-Up™ in Mineral Grey (Heather Grey), crafted from French Terry Tri-Blend (50% Cotton, 40% Polyester, 10% Rayon) for those who prefer a softer blended performance fabric with additional stretch.

French Terry - Back To That Old School Fabric Technology

French Terry has been used for decades as a heritage athletic and training fabric thanks to its distinctive loop-back construction. The soft interior loops help absorb moisture while the breathable knit allows airflow, creating a comfortable fabric for strength training, gym workouts, hiking, travel, recovery, and everyday active wear.

Unlike fleece, French Terry is not heavily brushed on the inside, helping the fabric remain breathable and versatile across a wider range of temperatures. The result is a substantial yet comfortable 100% cotton workout short for athletes who want to incorporate more natural fibers into their training and everyday wardrobe.

All About The Details + Original Design

One of the biggest frustrations with traditional athletic shorts is poorly positioned pockets that allow phones and other essentials to swing, shift, or fall out when sitting, training, or moving through exercises. The Pump-You-Up™ addresses that problem with Runyon's original dual outside stash pocket design, providing oversized functional storage without relying on traditional loose inside pockets.

Each pocket is roomy enough to carry a workout towel or water bottle, while still providing space for your phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials. Whether you're lifting weights, hiking, traveling, or heading around town, the large side stash pockets provide convenient storage built around an active lifestyle.

A rugged paracord drawcord and elastic waistband provide a secure, comfortable fit, while the 7-inch inseam creates a relaxed athletic silhouette that works across training, travel, recovery, and everyday wear.

Key Features:

• Dual Outside Stash Pockets — Runyon's original oversized pocket design helps keep phones and essentials secure while seated or moving; roomy enough for a water bottle, workout towel, wallet, keys & more
• Unisex 100% Cotton Workout Shorts — Relaxed athletic design for women & men
• Natural-Fiber Gym Shorts — A cotton alternative to nylon- and spandex-heavy activewear
• 14 oz USA-Knitted French Terry Cotton — Heavyweight, soft, breathable & durable
• 7-Inch Inseam — Versatile coverage with a relaxed athletic fit
• Unlined Construction — Wear with your preferred underwear or performance base layer
• Designed, Engineered & Field-Tested by Endurance Athletes
• Handcrafted in Los Angeles' Historic Fashion District
• Paracord Drawcord — Rugged and built to last

These shorts are not pre-shrunk and will shrink slightly after the first wash. The dimensions in the Size Chart reflect the expected measurements after washing so you can compare them with your favorite pair of shorts at home.

* Please note that each short features a polyester lining inside the non-skin-touching pockets for enhanced durability, longevity, and resistance to pilling.

Designer Commentary

These shorts have become my go-to for the gym, especially when the weather cools down. I've been doing all my strength-training workouts in them.

Lately, I've been trying to incorporate more cotton and natural fibers into my training gear, and I prefer using these sweatshorts at the gym. The French Terry fabric is great — unlike fleece, it doesn't feel overly warm against the skin. It's breathable and comfortable, making it a great option for athletes looking for gym shorts made primarily from natural fibers.

In 100% cotton, we're excited to offer them in Black, Sierra Sage (Olive Drab), and Vintage Navy.

They're also available in Mineral Grey (Heather Grey), a French Terry Tri-Blend that combines cotton, polyester, and rayon for a softer blended performance feel with additional stretch.

After a swim workout or sauna session, I'll often throw them on and head around town. They also make a great yoga and recovery short because the French Terry is incredibly soft. At home, they're comfortable enough to wear simply for lounging.

I spent months testing and developing these shorts and refining the details. They use the same pocket profile as our Warm-It-Up Jogger Sweatpants, but in a short format designed for both training and everyday wear.

At the gym, I usually keep a water bottle in one pocket and a workout towel in the other, and there's still plenty of room for my phone and keys.

What makes this design unique is the way the outside stash pockets manage everyday essentials. Unlike many gym shorts with loose interior pockets, your phone doesn't simply hang and swing inside the short. This is my revision of the classic American sweatshort — updated around what athletes actually carry and need today.

As an athlete, I've spent countless hours training and testing apparel, and that experience went directly into the design of the Pump-You-Up™. The goal was simple: take an old-school natural-fiber athletic short and make it more functional for modern training without losing what made classic cotton sweatshorts so comfortable in the first place.

You'll also be glad to know we sourced Made-in-USA elastics, USA-knitted textiles, USA-grown cotton, USA-webbed paracord, and USA-woven labels.

This short demonstrates the lengths we've gone, whenever possible, to support American manufacturing while serving the growing community of athletes around the world discovering and wearing Runyon.

Just a reminder: these shorts are not pre-washed, so they'll shrink slightly after the first wash. The dimensions in the Size Chart reflect the expected measurements after washing.

I know you'll love these shorts and can't wait to watch them Pump-You-Up!

Tony Nuccio
Designer, Athlete, and Founder