"Extreme" Sports Attire?

uhnoidea · #1 8th July 2009, 10:26 PM

My question is about what is "required" of some sports for men. For example, many swimmers wear the "speedo" style brief swimsuit and some wear the square cut. As a swimmer I had never had a problem with it. Now I am looking at training for a triathlon after a layoff of several years and it today the situation seems different. Is there really something wrong with it or am I making a lot to do about nothing? The human body isn't bad is it? In that case wouldn't bodybuilders be even worse? They wear on stage less than the "speedo" and they are intentionally showing off. Anyway, what are the thoughts of some others out there? Am I going off the deep end?

SearchingWisdom · #2 8th July 2009, 10:56 PM

Hi! Welcome!!

Hey...everyone worries about what to wear, so they can blend in more. It's ok to worry about that stuff.

I read this:
What to wear during triathlon swimming. A snug fitting swimsuit - some people wear bike shorts - is best. This makes sure it doesn't catch water during the swim. For lake swims, if the water temperature is 78 degrees or below you can wear a wetsuit. Most people will wear one if they have the option because a wetsuit helps add to your buoyancy in the water and keeps you warm. If you don't have a wetsuit you need to get used to swimming in cold water.

I found it from Beginner Triathlete - 6 Swim Tips For Your First Triathlon and I think you should read the rest, because it is for beginners.

Good luck training!!!!

uhnoidea · #3 10th July 2009, 10:20 AM

The only race I have done was with the swim in a pool. The wetsuit option is definitely something I would consider though. They aren't that expensive unless you get a high end one. My issue is about training. It probably will not happen but I don't want anyone to think I am trying to show off because I don't wear the knee-length baggy boardshorts. Not everyone understands the purpose of the dragless swimwear especially for men. The last time I trained I was a student and the pool on campus might have been more understanding of that. The gym I joined here is 24/7 so I guess I could just go late at night.

Thanks for your input.

Are there some more thoughts out there? What would you think if you went to the pool at the gym and saw a man wearing a dragless swimsuit? Tell me if I need to drop this please.

hermanchauw · #4 11th August 2009, 01:45 AM

I think it is a non-issue. It depends on what kind of performance gain you want from the clothing.

Eponine · #5 1st October 2009, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by uhnoidea

The only race I have done was with the swim in a pool. The wetsuit option is definitely something I would consider though. They aren't that expensive unless you get a high end one. My issue is about training. It probably will not happen but I don't want anyone to think I am trying to show off because I don't wear the knee-length baggy boardshorts. Not everyone understands the purpose of the dragless swimwear especially for men. The last time I trained I was a student and the pool on campus might have been more understanding of that. The gym I joined here is 24/7 so I guess I could just go late at night.

Thanks for your input. Are there some more thoughts out there? What would you think if you went to the pool at the gym and saw a man wearing a dragless swimsuit? Tell me if I need to drop this please.

I would think nothing of it, but then again I was on the swim team all through high school so I saw those things almost on a daily basis.

anonomiss · #6 27th October 2009, 11:13 PM

Speedo's are fine, especially the bike short style ones. In my friends opinion they work better anyway. but in all seriosness no one really takes that much notice.