HAIRO-DYNAMICS

Shaving your body for Executive Endurance Athletes: Is it worth it?

In the competitive world of triathlons, athletes continuously seek marginal gains - small improvements that collectively can lead to significant performance enhancements.

​One often-debated topic in this quest for excellence is the practice of shaving. Let's delve into the pros and cons of shaving, examine whether it truly helps, quantify the potential time savings, and discuss whether athletes should incorporate this practice into their routines.

The Science Behind Shaving

Shaving, particularly for swimmers and cyclists, is not just about aesthetics. While individual results may vary, several studies suggest notable time savings due to shaving in swimming drag and cycling aerodynamics, but less so in running. Here are some key insights:

• Swimming: A hairy body creates more drag in the water. Shaving can save about one to two seconds per 100 meters by reducing drag and increasing aquadynamics. These precious seconds can be pivotal. In shorter, draft legal races, the value of those seconds in the swim can get you into a faster bike group. On the other hand, the longer the swim, the larger the time gains. For an Ironman swim, this can translate to a time reduction of 40-70 seconds. Remark however, that when a race is wetsuit legal, these gains are voided.

 

• Cycling: The reduction in wind resistance from shaved legs does enhance aerodynamics, although it is very much dependent on the speed you are able to generate. According to GTN, shaved legs can save you up to 5.58W at 30kmh and 17.56W at 45kmh. Although this might prove significant for a pro, semi-pro, or competitive age grouper, a lot of amateur athletes will not find meaningful gains. In perspective though, according to GCN, these gains are equal to switching from a regular road bike to an aerodynamic bike or from cheap aluminum training wheels to super expensive, carbo,n deep section, race wheels. The choice is up to you.

Psychological and Health Benefits

Beyond the physical advantages, shaving can provide a significant psychological boost. The ritual of pre-race shaving can serve as a mental preparation tool, instilling a sense of readiness and professionalism. Many athletes report feeling faster and more competitive after shaving, which can translate to improved performance through enhanced confidence.

Shaving can also play a crucial role in injury management and recovery, which is vital for triathletes. Smooth, hairless skin is easier to clean and treat, reducing the risk of infection from cuts, scrapes, and road rash that can occur during training and races. This can lead to quicker healing times and less downtime due to minor injuries. If you spend many hours on the bike, these risks increase.

Additionally, shaved skin is beneficial for massages, a key component of recovery for many athletes. Massage therapists can more effectively apply lotions and oils to hairless skin, and the lack of hair reduces friction, making the massage smoother and more comfortable. This can enhance the effectiveness of the massage, promoting better muscle relaxation, improved circulation, and faster recovery.

Possible Cons of Shaving for Triathletes

While shaving can offer performance benefits, it's important to weigh these against potential downsides:
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• Skin Sensitivity: Shaving can cause skin irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs, particularly if done frequently or improperly. Athletes with sensitive skin may experience redness, itching, and discomfort, which can be distracting and affect performance. Shaving also increases the risk of cuts and nicks, which can be painful and potentially lead to infections if not properly treated. Open wounds can be particularly problematic in triathlons due to exposure to water, sweat, and dirt, which can exacerbate infections. Finally, freshly shaved skin can be more sensitive to sun exposure and chlorine in swimming pools.

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• Time: Regular shaving can be time-consuming, especially for athletes with thick or fast-growing hair. The need for frequent maintenance can add another task to an already busy training and preparation schedule. Furthermore, the smooth skin effect from shaving is temporary, often lasting only a few days before stubble begins to appear. This means athletes may need to shave multiple times during a training cycle or before competitions to maintain the benefits.

Conclusion: Should You Shave?

The decision to shave is ultimately a personal one and may depend on the level of competition and individual preference. For those not competing at the highest levels, the time saved may not be as critical. However, as part of a mental race preparation, the psychological boost and ease of injury management can still make shaving a beneficial practice outweighing the downsides.

Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey!
 
BONUS TIP COACH GLENN:
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I started out shaving as a joke for my first Olympic triathlon and found out that shaved legs didn’t match a hairy chest, the hairy chest did not fit the hairy arms or back and I ended up shaving completely. After a few races, I could not go back. The psychological dependence on shaving, feeling as if I could not train or race at my best unless I had shaved, evolved to an aesthetic evaluation where I felt dirty if not shaven. Now, it is part of my grooming practice.

My advice:

• Don’t start shaving unless you like the aesthetics and/or you are really serious about training hard, needing massages and obtaining the maximum results on race day.
• If you want to shave for a race, do so at least 36 hours before the race, so that any accidental cuts and nicks can heal before race day.

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