Why Shave?

Yeah. Other reasons commonly given are it feels better when given a massage, more aero/hydrodynamic (questionable), no hair to pull when wearing a wetsuit. When you get right down to it, though, I'll bet most people do it for the aesthetics: if you're going to have legs this good looking, why cover them with a layer of fur?

It really makes your legs look good when they are tanned up from tons of riding and running. People will make comments to you about how great you look -- they love it!

Mike

I've always wondered about this. I'm surprised we don't see more posts on this topic...

We see it often enough - at least once a month. I still stick to the looks good/feels good reason. My wife doesn't give a hoot one way or the other. No one ever asks about it since just about everyone I know, knows that I spend a lot of time in the saddle. I have had enough road rash to appreciate the ease of cleaning a wound without hair all over the place to promote infection.

This won't be my typical anti-shaving post ...

A few years ago a guy that I new who was training for his first triathlon told me that he shaved his arms and legs because when you wreck on your bike it makes road rash less severe. Is this true?

No. It's not true. How many times are these folks wrecking their bike? Maybe some training wheels would be in order?

LIke many folks, I play summer softball. Like many folks, when it's really hot I wear shorts ... most of us do. When there's a close play we still slide (most of us anyway). When we slide in shorts on the dirt, we get "rash" (crud, strawberries, whatever you wanna call em). They scab up, the scabs fall off and no one gives it a second thought. Some folks seem to enjoy picking the scabs off. I wonder why leg-shaving has yet to catch on in summer softball leagues? You slide in shorts a lot more often than a triathlete would wreck their bike.

Other reasons commonly given are it feels better when given a massage

Most times massages involve a balm or massage oil, which would negate the "pulled hair feeling".

It really makes your legs look good when they are tanned up from tons of riding and running.

The #2 reason to shave your legs.

The other day I had some friends over and ... long story short ... they said, "Dude, you have to shave your legs, it's part of the uniform". As a baseball coach (so are they), it made some sense. The #1 reason why most triathletes shave their legs is because the pros do or because "everyone else does". Shaved legs and tight shorts are the triathlete's uniform.

Massages ARE much better when shaved. Easier on you, easier on the therapist. You'll get better work. but who among the unwashed is getting a massage that often, and if so, can I get in on it? I like the uniform thing. When I go to a running race, I can pick out the triathletes byt their lace-locs and shaved legs. We know who we are. The brotherhood of the razor. I also think that the time taken is good for you. Time to concentrate on yourself, remind yourself why you're doing all the work, go over weekly goals, etc while in the shower for 30 minutes once or twice a week. if you have chicken legs like me, anything that makes them look bigger is a bonus

Defintiely shave the legs and arms!  I personally like the way it looks on men

Well I don't know about the whole road rash thing. But it does increase aerodynamics. All the surface area that hair contains in quite amazing. One thing I do know from shaving when I was a competative swimmer it has a lot to do with your mantal ability. Since it is considered to make you faster in the pool, you think your faster and you do go faster. Plus you feel faster. Love the feel of a fresh shave then going for a swim.

says the bear.. ??

Says the well-groomed, shaven-legged bear.

I can't comment from a pure triathlon perspective, however, from a cycling perspective, the three reasons given (some covered here) are:

1. Road rash does heal quicker without hair.
2. Massages are easier.
3. Tradition.

Let's face it. Number 3 is the main reason.

Thus sayeth another shaver!

i agree with the bear. many positive attributes to having shaved legs, in particular, chisled feautures. personally though, it just "feels clean".

Could be. When I pitched in college I would get daily massages on my hamstrings and my shoulder. My leg had hair and my shoulder did not. I never felt a difference, as long as oil or balm or FlexAll 454, was used. I don't about that "massager's preference".

Now, I do "ice massages" (with my wife or myself as sender). It's a two-in-one time-saver.

If I were in a situation where I was receiving a regular massage a couple times a week and shaving would improve the effectiveness of the massage, I would do it.

But, I think it's safe to assume that most triathletes aren't shaving their legs to improve the effectiveness of their regular massage (that would be great if we were all getting them) or because of repeated road rash.

Given the number of overweight triathletes we also have, the "aerodynamic" exception doesn't make sense for most.

If leg-shaving will get me regular massages, I'll shave tomorrow.

I go back to...

it really looks good when your legs are tanned and getting cut from a summer of heavy riding.

Mike

Indeed, Bear's legs are most impressive.

How about waxing? It would seem to be more painful but more of a longterm solution to the hair problem. I tried shaving in the past and due to considerable chest hair will not be doing so again. Trimming with clippers for the well groomed look is as far as I'll go with that ever again, but if waxing works I might give it a go. Anyone ever try it?

My swim coach gets his arms and legs waxed and loves the results.  I will admit, I have never seen stubble on that man so he must know what he's doing.  It would hurt, but would be better than having to shave all the time! 

So im liking the shaved idea. I also did it for swimming. The question though, and no jokes please. How often do you need to shave to keep the hair at bay on the legs\chest\arm. Also i know ive given my fair share of jokes to new swimmers on what they need to shave , but how high up on the legs do people go when they do it all the time. Thanks

I think the question of how high up to go depends on one thing:

Is anyone likely to see you naked? Hair shorts just seem like a bad idea if your answer is in the affirmative....

fuzzy wuzzy was a bear..
fuzzy wuzzy shaved his hair..
fuzzy wuzzy wuzzn't very fuzzy wuz he?

(sorry.. it's time to leave work and I'm bored...)

When I was on swim team in High School, the girls were told to STOP shaving their legs months before a big race. Then the day before the race the boys and girls shaved legs, arms, back, and head (mostly for the boys). The idea was to train with the drag of the hair and then get a big boost on race day from the the aerodynamics, although some say this is mostly psychological.

I wonder if leaving hair on your forearms results in greater pull in the water ??

no leg hair makes it *much* easier to get sun block on.