Smooth Sailing or Real Speed Boost? The Truth About Swimmers Shaving

When you look at the swimmers at the Olympic Games or World Championships, you quickly notice that almost all athletes are flawlessly shaved. This practice is now standard practice and is routinely carried out in the weeks leading up to important competitions. But what is behind this tradition? Is body shaving really a performance booster, or is it just a ritual?

A ritual with a long tradition

Body shaving has become an integral part of competition preparation in swimming. Hardly any Olympic swimmer can be seen competing with body hair. However, this practice is not new. Since the 1950s, swimmers have been shaving before important competitions — especially arms, legs, torsos and sometimes even their heads. The reason for this was originally unclear, but there were early suspicions that shaving could reduce water resistance and improve performance.

Scientific findings: What does the research say?

But does shaving actually have a measurable advantage for performance in water? A number of scientific studies have addressed this question, and the results are quite informative. A remarkable study from 1989 by Dave Costill showed that shaved swimmers saw a significant reduction in their lactate levels, which indicated lower physical exertion. In another study, it was found that swimmers had to use less energy to swim the same distance after shaving — which indicates a reduction in resistance and thus a possible increase in performance.

Recent research has confirmed this effect. A recent study, which subjected 17 male and 12 female swimmers, had participants swim two 100-meter distances three days apart — once unshaven, once shaved. The results were impressive: When comparing the times, there was a significant time gain of around 1.7 seconds for both groups, regardless of the swimming performance of the athletes. The effect was highly significant (p-value < 0.001), which confirmed the effect of shaving on performance.

An inexplicable effect

Interestingly enough, the time saved could not be explained by a reduction in water resistance through shaving. The participants, who already had little body hair anyway, benefited just as much from shaving as the significantly hairy swimmers. This suggests that it is not just about reducing friction in water — the explanation remains unclear. Psychological effects or changes in body awareness may also play a role.

The psychological factor: More than just a physical change

In addition to the physiological aspects, the psychological effect of shaving should not be underestimated. Swimmers often report that they feel “faster” and “lighter” after shaving. The feeling of “gliding forever,” as some athletes describe it, could be due to an increased perception of their own body in water. For many swimmers, shaving marks the transition to competition mode — a mental signal that everything is now focused on the decisive moment.

A small step for the body, a big step for performance?

The scientific results speak for themselves: Body shaving results in a significant increase in swimming performance. This effect cannot simply be explained by a reduction in water resistance, as even largely hairless swimmers feel the same advantage. However, it remains unclear whether this is a purely physiological effect or a psychological one.

Shaving has established itself as a ritual in swimming that provides both physical and mental benefits. It is one small step that can make the difference in competition. Because in the end, it is not just the technology or the equipment that counts, but also the right feeling and mental preparation — and this is where body shaving can make a decisive contribution.

Pay attention to sustainability

While the benefits of body shaving for swimmers are clear, one important question remains: How can you shave without harming the environment?

Most conventional razors are made from fossil plastic and are not biodegradable. But there are sustainable alternatives, such as bio-based razors, which offer an environmentally friendly solution without sacrificing thorough shaving.

With a plastic-free razor made from 99% bio-based materials such as Razeco, swimmers can not only optimize their performance, but also make a contribution to environmental protection.