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?
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Originally posted by Matt S
One thing to consider is using one of those whole body, designed for low drag, swim
Yes but a suit is totally different from shaving. Those suits were designed for a number of reasons including reducing drag. I can see that using a suit might really drop times but I'm still doubtful that shaving will cut much of any time and all I've heard is the same thing, I shaved before the big meet and I went fast. Well I didn't shave and went fast too. We also had a shaving party in high school and I don't remember anyone doing any major time drops for the big meet.
What I would like to see is real proof, as in a number of people train etc, then one day swim their event, hard as they would in a meet without shaving, then either the same day or the next day swim again after shaving and see how much the times change. It would have to be done rather close in time though as things can change over a few weeks. Unless there is such a study I'm not going to accept personal experiences.
Originally posted by Matt S
One thing to consider is using one of those whole body, designed for low drag, swim
Yes but a suit is totally different from shaving. Those suits were designed for a number of reasons including reducing drag. I can see that using a suit might really drop times but I'm still doubtful that shaving will cut much of any time and all I've heard is the same thing, I shaved before the big meet and I went fast. Well I didn't shave and went fast too. We also had a shaving party in high school and I don't remember anyone doing any major time drops for the big meet.
What I would like to see is real proof, as in a number of people train etc, then one day swim their event, hard as they would in a meet without shaving, then either the same day or the next day swim again after shaving and see how much the times change. It would have to be done rather close in time though as things can change over a few weeks. Unless there is such a study I'm not going to accept personal experiences.
