I have been a swimmer for about 7 or 8 years but I have never shaved my legs before, and the swimming team for my school starts in November. I have been training since summer, and I was wondering how many swimmers actually shave, and how does it help? should I shave my legs? and if so, should I do it now so I can get used to it?
Parents
Former Member
I've nothing to add to the other posters on shaving. They have covered all my points.
One thing to consider is using one of those whole body, designed for low drag, swim suits. I was very skeptical of the manufacturers' claims, but a couple of years ago, a teammate let me borrow his old Arena shoulder to knee suit. I noticed right away as I was warming up clear, objective proof that it made at least some difference. My stroke count went down 2-4 strokes over a LCM 50. I don't mean down relative to my usual working out stroke count, I mean down compared to my warm-up the day before. (BTW, I was shaved for this meet.) Later, I blew the doors off of a 400 free (that is "blew doors" for me). I purchased a Speedo shoulder to knee suit, used it at every meet since, and believe it does make a difference. I have even wondered whether it makes sense to shave the areas the suit covers. I do not have the nerve end feeling that Jdut mentioned, and it would be nice to not have to hassle with that, or restrict it to my arms and lower legs.
Food for thought.
Matt
I've nothing to add to the other posters on shaving. They have covered all my points.
One thing to consider is using one of those whole body, designed for low drag, swim suits. I was very skeptical of the manufacturers' claims, but a couple of years ago, a teammate let me borrow his old Arena shoulder to knee suit. I noticed right away as I was warming up clear, objective proof that it made at least some difference. My stroke count went down 2-4 strokes over a LCM 50. I don't mean down relative to my usual working out stroke count, I mean down compared to my warm-up the day before. (BTW, I was shaved for this meet.) Later, I blew the doors off of a 400 free (that is "blew doors" for me). I purchased a Speedo shoulder to knee suit, used it at every meet since, and believe it does make a difference. I have even wondered whether it makes sense to shave the areas the suit covers. I do not have the nerve end feeling that Jdut mentioned, and it would be nice to not have to hassle with that, or restrict it to my arms and lower legs.
Food for thought.
Matt
