Can someone out there enlighten me as to why a man would shave his legs?Really, make a case and I’ll get out the razor.
girls dig it
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I’ve heard several different theories:
(1) aerodynamics
(2) less road rash
(3) faster healing of road rash
(4) easier to massage
(5) because the pros do/everyone else does/to be part of the crowd/etc…
I only buy Number 5. I’m interested to hear some others weigh in on this.
In response to “chicks dig it,” my wife about had a cow when I started shaving my legs, but now she likes it… 
while i’m convinced it’s number 5, my question has to do with the th initial shaving job. i imagine maintaining smooth legs isn’t that bad–how did you first attack those hairy legs? one friend suggested nair for the initial job and then a razor. any suggestions?
I honestly never thought I would, but after I did, I’ll never go back. It’s hard to explain exactly what the attraction is, but it’s just better.
Use a beard trimmer or a pair of clippers then go back and shave with a razor. That is my best advice.
Speaking as someone who spends a lot of time skidding across the pavement, I would say number 2 and 3 are my reasons. As for aerodynamics, I would be surprised if there was any benefit other than in swimming.
try pulling a wet suit over a pair of hairy legs…ouch!
For me, it felt like taking off a pair of pants. Love the feeling… hate the actual shaving part. Takes me forever and the stuble is back every 3-4 days.
I’ve worn wetsuits for surfing, scuba and as of late triathlon, never had a problem there. How does shaved legs prevent of help w/road rash? I ride in constant fear of a crash myself.
Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t done it before. You can see all of the muscles and striations plus you really do feel more like an athlete - at least I do. How insecure am I?
Reasons to get those legs waxed instead of shaving
- Hot wax feels good!
- No growth for about 2 weeks
- Doesn’t grow back prickly
- Less hair over time
- Not really that painful!
As for the road rash you should try scrubing out road grit when your new hamburger marks are covered in hair.
I’m guessing that #5 is the real reason most people do it. I waffled on this for a long time, until finally reason 4 made me do it. I sought ART treatment for a pinched nerve in my hip about 6 months ago- let me tell you, this is not a fun treatment if you have hairy legs. I had a fierce rash after the first treatment. The Chiropractor suggested that I shave to make it easier, and I’ve never stopped since. I agree that it really makes the muscles stand out, and you look like the pro’s and all that good stuff. I just couldn’t make myself do it until I finally had to. Looking back, it’s really not that hard. Clippers the first time to get rid of as much hair as possible, then shave. It felt really wierd for a couple of weeks- sort of like when you put your jeans on right out of the dryer, but they aren’t totally dry yet; my legs were really cold. Got used to it pretty quickly, though.
Shaving does not help with road rash itself (although it may to a small degree, by preventing the tendancy of body hair to “catch” on the road surface and tear the skin during a crash,) as much as it helps with the treatment of road rash. Proper treatment of road rash is essentially identical to the treatment of burns of similar severity, and requires constant maintenance of dressings, including removal and re-application of same, and significant debriding of the wound area. Both of these processes are significantly less painful, and are more efficacious when there is no hair in the way.
In essence, by shaving, you are doing wound prep well in advance of the occurence of the injury. The same reasons that you would be shaved prior to surgery on a hairy area of your body apply equally well here.
As regards massage, many techniques are much easier to perform on a hairless surface, or perhaps I should say a surface with less friction - this is often why massage oil is used. Hairy legs are definately “stickier” than shaved ones.
For another compelling reason, don’t overlook embrocation. What a mess on hairy legs. Yuck.
MH
When you’re at that starting line of your top priority race.
You want to be sure that you did everything possible to be the best prepared athlete with the means you have. Your whole body and your brain and sole are going to be ready for that gun to go off.
shaving is just a part of being as ready as you can be.
Maybe it helps only psychologically but hey that’s worth it!
I don’t know if I feel any faster or better prepared by shaving my legs, but the funny looks I get from folks during training rides/runs is enough to momentarily take my mind off the suffering and give me a good laugh.
I don’t know if I feel any faster or better prepared by shaving my legs, but the funny looks I get from folks during training rides/runs is enough to momentarily take my mind off the suffering and give me a good laugh.
LOL come on now, there are more guys in SVTC with shaved legs than just the two of us
oh yeah >> Mach 3 the only way to shave
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… makes putting on sunscreen much easier!
Here’s my question about shaving your legs:
How high up do you shave?
I ask because I swim at the pool a couple of times a week and anyone there can see me in the buff. (In the locker room after I swim.) Well, I’m afraid if I shave I won’t shave the proper amount and everyone will really think I’m nuts.
I obviously can’t shave all the way up…so where do I stop?
Jeff
If you wear a speedo swim brief then make sure your pubes aren’t hanging out… that would be tacky… but kinda funny.
Other than that I would say as high as the bottom of your shorts.