Yes, most competitive swimmers shave their pubic area (bikini line) as part of a full-body "shave down" before major competitions to reduce drag and increase skin sensitivity for a better "feel" for the water, leading to improved performance and mental confidence, though it's a personal choice and not a strict rule. The ritual involves shaving legs, arms, and often the entire body to feel smoother, lighter, and more streamlined for peak performance, with the sensitive skin helping them feel the water more acutely.
In fact, most professional swimmers remove all their body hair prior to a competition. This isn't all hearsay – research proves that removing body hair does actually reduce drag in the water.
Intimate Grooming Advice for Athletes and Men Who Like to Play Sports. Men who like to exercise or get involved in sporting activities will often also enjoy a neatly trimmed pubic hair style nowadays and some may even consider shaving all their pubes.
I've never thought about it; But I'm sure plenty of people swim and don't shave. You should do whatever makes you comfortable, but you should also know that going around looking for other people's public hair might make them uncomfortable.
The two most popular are waxing and shaving. Waxing is the process of removing hair by the root through the application of a sticky substance (such as wax) that's then ripped from the skin.
Julia Roberts doesn't always shave her armpits because, for her, it's a personal choice about feeling good, not necessarily a political statement, though her 1999 Notting Hill premiere appearance sparked a lot of discussion, with her later explaining it was accidental due to sleeve length and waving. She embraces natural body hair as an expression of personal choice and freedom, feeling sexy with or without it, and recognizes it's a natural part of the body, reducing friction and chafing.
The Full Moon is a newer style that's been growing in popularity over the past year or two. The look entails removing the hair from the sides, top, and back while grooming and waxing the hair at the front of the pubic mound into a circle using a stencil and high-precision waxing techniques.
Gen Z's approach to pubic hair is diverse, with a growing trend of embracing natural body hair, challenging older norms, but many still prefer some form of grooming like trimming over complete removal, with personal preference and comfort being key drivers, influenced heavily by social media trends. While some opt for "au naturel" looks, many in Gen Z trim for a "bikini-shaped bush," balancing naturalness with neatness, and views vary significantly, with TikTok promoting both naturalness and styling.
The 80/20 rule in swimming has two main applications: polarized training, where 80% of time is low-intensity (Zone 2) and 20% is high-intensity for fitness gains, and technique focus, where 80% of improvement comes from mastering key technical elements like body position and streamlining (the 20% of effort). For open water, it can mean 80% mental focus on managing discomfort, cold, and fear, versus 20% physical effort.
A clear majority of women prefer a simple trim. While there will be eternal debate over whether or not the balls and anus should be smooth, most women agree that as long as things are kept in order, the style of trimming isn't a deal-breaker. You really can stick with a simple design and please most of the ladies.
If your flow isn't too heavy, using organic pads or tampons is an easy fix to your monthly visit from Aunt Flo. Since leotards are pretty tight and fitting, they will typically stay in place and/or do the trick during practice or a competition.
No, you don't need to shave or wax. However, if there's something going on with your skin, shaving or waxing will make it easier for your physician to evaluate the area.
In Conclusion. Shaving your butt hair is a personal preference if you feel like you're growing just a little bit too much down where the sun doesn't shine. While you should never feel like you need to shave your butt hair completely, there's a correct way to do it to minimize safety risks.
In sports, like swimming or cycling, shaving is often linked with performance: the less body hair you have, the more aerodynamic you are. Regularly removing body hair, including pubic hair, just becomes a natural part of their routine, as instinctive as wearing goggles or staying hydrated.
FREESTYLE:
Using a razor on your pubic area, crotch, or testicles the day before or the day of your beach trip risks turning your relaxing day into a nightmare. Trust me, salt or chlorinated water on freshly shaved skin is an experience you'll want to avoid.
Based on your ability, the distance you'll cover when swimming for 30 minutes (continuously) will probably look something like this: Beginner Swimmer: 1,000m in 30 minutes (3:00/100m pace) Average Swimmer: 1,500m in 30 minutes (2:00/100m pace) Strong Swimmer: 2,000m in 30 minutes (1:30/100m pace)
According to the NCAA, it's a rule that says a swimmer must break the surface of the water at the 15-meter mark — both after the start of the race and each turn. If this rule is broken, swimmers can be disqualified from the race.
Additionally, his unusually large palms and feet further assist him in swimming with increased speed. Phelps' body also produces only half the amount of lactic acid that an average human body does. This helps him stay active for longer periods, giving him more endurance while swimming longer distances.
Japan: Women in Japan have preferred to shave only their legs and underarms, leaving the bikini and pubic area untouched. It is also quite common to remove facial hair and peach fuzz for a smooth, glass-like appearance.
The secret's out: laser hair removal is likely their weapon of choice for achieving long-lasting smoothness. But beyond the world of fame, laser hair removal offers amazing benefits for anyone seeking a hassle-free hair removal solution.
Hair down there. The seeds of a full bush renaissance have been taking root for the past two years, but when Skims unveiled its controversial bush thong last week—a pubic wig reimagined as a mesh G-string thong with tufts of curly or straight faux hair—there was no denying it: The bush is back.
J. Lo has also spoken about her body hair, telling Allure she “shaves everywhere” but avoids the painful business of waxing: “I don't love waxing. I just don't like everybody… up in the business, you know what I mean?
The Landing Strip
Also known as the French Bikini Wax, this style takes off most of the pubic hair around the front and sides of the pubic area but leaves the hair around the labia alone, leaving an elegant strip.
As an ob-gyn, I want you to know that pubic hair is normal. Whether to groom or let it grow is your choice—no one else's. And there is no reason to apologize about your pubic hair, to your ob-gyn or anyone else.