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Tony S.
Tony S. Sendmail

To shave or not to shave, THAT is the question

posted almost 3 years ago | Report

Ok, I'm a tri newbie, however I'm not really a swim or running newbie. I've read and heard some talk of shaving legs/body adding to performance in the tri, and I'm on the fence. When I was swimming competitively (way back in the day) it was before I was a hairy dude, so it wasn't an issue. In my running days (when I was a hairy dude) it didn't seem to offer enough performance gain for the embarrassment it caused (this was high school after all) so I avoided it.
For me, I'm really not sure it will make a difference. I'm doing sprint and Olympic distance tris. For the sprints I only plan on being in the water for about 10-12 minutes max, in the Olympic it could be as long as 25 (all these estimates are based on my current swimming with body hair). Are there gains to be had in cycling and/or running by shaving?
So, tri vets, other newbies, athletes in general I ask you. Shave or not shave? What do you do?

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21 posts

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  • Matthew L.PRO
    Matthew L. Sendmail

    I shave, but I hate hair. I use the aerodynamic excuse to make it "justifiable" as I'm just a runner.

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Brodie B.
    Brodie B. Sendmail

    Haven't had hair on my legs since 2001. I leave the rest of my body alone though. Aero, less road rash, etc. All sorts of reasons.

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Kelly K.PRO
    Kelly K. Sendmail

    I think shaving is more of a "right of passage" than anything else. The last step in becoming a *real* triathlete, or cyclist. At least that is what a lot of people suggest. I shaved my legs for a few years for cycling and triathlon, but have since stopped. There are a couple small advantages, but no significant performance boost.

    posted almost 3 years ago | edited almost 3 years ago

  • Kristin K.PRO
    Kristin K. Sendmail

    Honestly...performance considerations aside, I dig shaved legs on guys. I think it's hot.

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Tony S.
    Tony S. Sendmail

    That kind of sentiment may be all the motivation I need :-p

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Brodie B.
    Brodie B. Sendmail
    in reply to what Kristin K. said:Honestly...performance considerations aside, I dig shaved legs on guys. I think it's hot.

    My wife has never seen me with hair on my legs. Come to think of it neither have you Kristin. Funny to think it has been that long.

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Pat R.
    Pat R. Sendmail

    Shave everyday. Hate hair and I looked like bigfoot after I let it grow in after bike racing in the 80s. been "clean" since 1992 my wife loves it. Bath time for 2, nuff' said.

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Caleb K.PRO
    Caleb K. Sendmail

    Sugar and spice and everything nice wasn't made for only girls.
    Hey, Green Day said it, not me.

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Mike K.
    Mike K. Sendmail

    My understanding is this is a good idea not necessarily for the 'aero' benefits but in case you get in a bike crash and end up with road rash. Hair stuck in road rash scars = PAIN!

    posted almost 3 years ago

  • Allan T.
    Allan T. Sendmail

    I shaved last week.

    Recieving a massage with hair legs is painful.

    So here's a question for the ladies, should guys shave or wax? My friend suggested that I wax instead because the hair grows back slower.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Tony S.
    Tony S. Sendmail

    I've heard the same thing, I'd love to hear what the ladies have to say on the topic. Just for closure I am shaving now, about once a week and it's a pain. But I keep telling myself it's making my swim times faster :-p

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Felog
    Felog Sendmail

    I wrote this almost exactly one year ago but I think it will explain many things...

    http://www.felog.net/cms/index.php/component/content/article/41-lifestyle/105-waxed-my-legs

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Tony S.
    Tony S. Sendmail

    Great blog post! It wasn't until I had a few women tell me they thought dudes with shaved legs were sexy that I decided to do it. Did you really only have to do it once a month?

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Dwayne C.
    Dwayne C. Sendmail

    You should shave your legs incase you crash on the bike. The road rash will heal a hell of alot quicker if there are no hairs in the scabs.

    For the swim, it doesn't really matter since in most events you are wearing a wet suit.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Felog
    Felog Sendmail

    I guess I should've followed up on the blog post. While it did take a few weeks for the hair to grow back, it was uncortable during that process. So much so that I went back to shaving.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Jennifer B.
    Jennifer B. Sendmail

    I'm with Kristin on that. And the back hair needs to go, too.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Sean S.
    Sean S. Sendmail

    I think its all a mental thing, if people think there going to gain time by shaving then I think they need to take a step back and really realize how stupid it sounds.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Ellen K.
    Ellen K. Sendmail

    Shave.

    Unless you want to reveal yourself as an amateur.

    Looks better too.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Sam C.
    Sam C. Sendmail

    I agree that shaving is more about showing your commitment to the sport, looks, and mentally preparing you for a race, but I don't think it will enhance your performance. I don't know first hand, but what Dwayne said about crashing sounds like a good reason to shave. And whether you decide to wax or shave, remember that if you wax eventually the hair will not grow back, which could be a good or bad thing depending on what you think.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Paul C.
    Paul C. Sendmail

    It doesn't make you any faster. Its pure vanity.

    Bodybuilders shave for competition because it shows the muscles better. It also shows the triathletes muscle of better.

    If you shave before a swim it feels nice because the razor removes the dead cells as well as the hair, so you have new skin being caressed by the water.

    Another reason pro riders shave is because it makes it easier for the masseur to give you a nice massage.

    It also helps if you have a crash. The medics don't need to remove the hair from the wounds.

    posted over 2 years ago

  • Peter S.
    Peter S. Sendmail

    Women like it.

    The feeling of shaved legs (or arms, yes I've tried) in the wind or in the water is awesome.

    Everything Paul C. said.

    posted over 2 years ago

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