Will having shaved legs (and arms for that matter) help with keeping my body cool in a race?
My “A” race this year is IM LOU and the odds say it is going to be hot as balls…Any reason to believe that being clean shaven will help with temperature regulation.
Will race in the mid-180’s (pounds) by race day, so heat is an issue for me.
Thoughts?
just throw ice down your shorts while passing every aid station…cooling my junk helped me during the White Lake Half 1, was like 94 during the run…everyone was sucking…try it…works pretty good…but dont know about the shaving part
.
Yes, it’s cooler. A couple of thoughts:
Don’t have the race be the first time you shave.
Use an electric trimmer to shave down to stubble before using a razor.
Make sure to also shave the back of your neck, underarms and back (if needed), and use a trimmer to reduce hair density on your chest (start with a #3 clipper and go down to a #1 depending on taste).
Consider not shaving your arms, since those are more visible at work and on the weekends.
SHAVE.
It’ll cool you down, if only a little, and chicks dig it.
Agree with ^^ advice, and second it all. I’d skip on the arm shaving, unless your job is a coach of some sort or anything else in the athletic department (professional triathlete). Then go to town.
But definitely shave your legs.
I strongly doubt if shaving will make you any cooler unless you are some kind of gorilla man. I am 210 Lbs and race all distances, sometimes I shave and sometimes I don’t. The only real difference is in the water and it is a REAL and measurable difference. If you aren’t wearing a full-body skin suit, then shaving arms and legs will make a significant difference for your swim. Don’t mess with the armpits–that is a recipe for disaster with no real benefit. I shaved my head before IMKY last year and that made a pretty significant difference in cooling. Mostly on the bike, and a little bit on the run.
My “A” race this year is IM LOU and the odds say it is going to be hot as balls…
If the last couple of days are any indication we are going to pay big time for the nice weather in Louisville last year on race day.
Hot as balls doesnt even begin to cover it
X2 on that. I live in southern Indiana and have been riding noon-early afternoon to get used to the heat. The combination of heat and humidity have been brutal.
Good advice and tips from Titanflexr, here’s my 2 cents though.
Had been debating about it for a while after telling myself I’d never do it, was preparing for a what I thought was going to be a very hot race and finally caved since it seemed like everyone else was doing it (same way I got hooked on meth). Used the trimmer first, didn’t do my pits, but all else went well.
The only wierd thing though? My legs felt hotter, not cooler. Can’t really describe it, but my skin just felt kind of tacky, different, perhaps if you are wolfman the hair keeps you warm, but it almost feels like if you have light hair the hair will help dissipate some of the heat/moisture. All and all, I doubt there were any tangible performance benefits to shaving, but it did make a mental difference to me, felt like I was in serious race mode.
SHAVE.
… chicks dig it.
Not all chicks dig it.
SHAVE.
… chicks dig it.
Not all chicks dig it.
the kind of chicks that would double up on a dude like me do.
Agree with ^^ advice, and second it all. I’d skip on the arm shaving, unless your job is a coach of some sort or anything else in the athletic department (professional triathlete). Then go to town.
Why should that matter in any way at all. If you want to shave your arms, go ahead. If you work with a bunch of people that’d think thats weird, thats their problem. My guess not a lot of people would even notice/care. As to whether or not to shave, I’ve found it generally can’t hurt, so even if it helps minimally, go for it.
SHAVE.
… chicks dig it.
Not all chicks dig it.
the kind of chicks that would double up on a dude like me do.
“What would you do?
Besides two girls at the same time?
Well, ya…”
I’d shave it all…
Interesting.
So I am a total gorilla. All of my body is covered in dense forest (except for the top third of my head, LOL). I have been shaving my legs for the last 2 years and it does seem to cool, and it feels good.
I have been deliberating shaving my ENTIRE body. Just haven’t had the 'nads to do it just yet. Has anyone like me (gorilla) shaved it all? And if so, does it make a difference in terms of cooling and sweating less? I do sweat profusely and would love just a little relief if it works. Thoughts?
TT
Shave. Because its cool to do so.
Norelco Bodygroom. There are a few different versions (I’ve tried two) and they all seem to work equally as well. I use it everywhere and it gets almost as close as a razor does. I’ve tried using a razor before with copious amounts of shave cream and lotion to follow and still get mad razer bumps. I only use the Bodygroom.
Yes, it’s cooler. A couple of thoughts:
Don’t have the race be the first time you shave.
Use an electric trimmer to shave down to stubble before using a razor.
Make sure to also shave the back of your neck, underarms and back (if needed), and use a trimmer to reduce hair density on your chest (start with a #3 clipper and go down to a #1 depending on taste).
Consider not shaving your arms, since those are more visible at work and on the weekends.
X2. I agree with all of this and you should shave. I live and train in Houston, and I notice a significant difference in cooling with my legs shaved. And I’m not a gorilla man. I’m pretty sure sweat runs/blows off you faster, too, with shaved legs.
yes. I buzz my arms, legs and chest the night before. dunno that it makes me sweat less, but the sweat evaporates better and makes a big difference.
Ran outside in the middle of the day yesterday, about 97F (I live in Texas) for a bit after having not shaved since my last race, and found myself wishing I’d kept up with it 
even just walking around there’s a noticeable difference, you feel every tiny breeze when you’re hairless, cools you off a lot better.
after experimenting with a completely smooth shave of the legs and arms (done with straight razor, no less) I have found that the benefit to hassle ratio isn’t as good as just using guardless clippers and buzzing it close.
I don’t think that shaving will help in the cooling department but it does make you faster…minutes faster. It’s better than a disc wheel and aero helmet combined! You aren’t one of the cool triathletes until you do.
As for the recommendation to shave your arm pits…I do it on occassion, but when I do I find that it really bothers me to run shirtless or in a tank because my arm and torso want to stick together. I would leave the hair there unless you want that extra bit of swimming streamline. Then use a lot of body glide there for the run. (and hairless pits seem to be worse for body odor).
after experimenting with a completely smooth shave of the legs and arms (done with straight razor, no less) I have found that the benefit to hassle ratio isn’t as good as just using guardless clippers and buzzing it close.
x2…just buzz it
Surprised no one has mentioned the best benefit of all. The feeling of the bed sheets at night! Pool and shower water is a close second.
I did arm pits one time and won’t be going there again. They rashed up a good bit.
I don’t know if I sweat any less, but it’s definitely cooler. I’d recommend clippers for the back, a #1 blade for abs, and a #3 for chest (just so it doesn’t look too unnatural).
x2 on the Norelco BodyGroom, portable and works well as a portable, shawer-safe, clipper (not great as a shaver tho).
I did arm pits one time and won’t be going there again. They rashed up a good bit.
+1, I clip the underarm with a #2 guard… short enough to avoid matting and unpleasantness, long enough that it’s not itchy or scratchy