Men who exercise regularly or take part in sport may choose to trim or shave their pubic hair as part of their overall grooming routine. Male intimate grooming has become far more common in recent years and there is far less stigma surrounding it than there once was.
The good news is that intimate male grooming and enjoying sports go together so you don't need to worry about your performance necessarily being adversely affected by removing your pubic hair. To help, this guide covers some of the key aspects of male intimate grooming athletes should consider before trimming or shaving their pubic hair.
It is worth remembering that male cyclists will often already be used to shaving their legs while shaving back and chest hair is quite the norm among swimmers.
That said, unless you are talking about the world of professional bodybuilding, shaving hasn't historically been associated with male sporting competitiveness until quite recently.
What do you need to know if you want to trim or shave your pubes and enjoy a new styling regime? Read on to find out more about intimate grooming tips for athletes. Alternatively, check out our Ultimate Manscaping Guide which is full of advice concerning manscaping for athletes and male grooming for sports enthusiasts.
Why Do You Need to Consider Intimate Grooming for Athletes?
Although male intimate grooming and playing sports are compatible with one another, you should always think about how and when you will trim or shave your pubic hair.
There are a number of reasons for this. After all, the kind of intimate grooming active men need will typically differ from less sporty people. The primary thing to remember is that trimming your pubes or shaving them off completely should not be immediately followed by an intense workout or training session, let alone a competition. Why? Because you should allow your skin to recover thoroughly before you get hot and sweaty which will put your body's sweat glands under more pressure. The kind of pubic hair grooming athletes do needs to take this into consideration.
In short, if you rush from body grooming to sport, then you could end up feeling itchy and uncomfortable. What are the main problem areas to avoid when it comes to the sort of male intimate grooming athletes carry out between training sessions?
Chafing
Chafing is an issue that tends to affect sportsmen more than others largely due to the repetitive nature of their movements. Pubic hair is, in part, a natural way that the body helps to prevent chafing by lowering the build-up of friction. Therefore, trimming your pubes to an intermediate length can cause more friction, not less.
If you find that you're suffering from chafing after trimming your pubes, then consider changing your comb length. The adjustable Gillette INTIMATE™ i3 Trimmer and its counterpart, the Gillette INTIMATE™ i5 Trimmer both offer exceptional functionality in this regard, allowing you to fine-tune the length you would like your pubic hair trimmed to.
Note that some men, whether they're into male grooming or not, chafe more than others. If this applies to you, then consider applying some petroleum jelly to the affected area before warming up.
Sweat Build-Up
When you exercise for a period of time, even when you are in water, sweat will necessarily start to be deployed by your body to keep you cool. Men sweat at different rates but anyone who is exerting themselves will perspire after a while.
This can be an issue if you've got a male intimate grooming regime that means more of your skin is exposed. If you have recently shaved your pubes, for example, then your skin might not have recovered sufficiently.
When shaving your pubes, use a cleanser or moisturiser afterwards rather than an alcohol-based aftershave and leave it for at least a few hours before working up a sweat. This is a key aspect of pubic hair grooming athletes sometimes overlook.
Hygiene
Sweating and friction during exercise can contribute to a build-up of sweat, oil and dead skin around the groin area. Whether you trim, shave or leave your pubic hair untouched, maintaining good hygiene is important, especially after training sessions. You should shower and wash your genitals by hand with products designed for the pubic area after every sporting session.
In addition, consider an exfoliating scrub when you shower before shaving or trimming your pubes. This will help to prevent the ongoing build-up of dead skin and make it easier for you to groom.
On the subject of hygiene, never share your razor blades with anyone else. When it comes to intimate shaving, athletes shouldn't use their face-shaving razor, either. Instead, opt for one that's dedicated to the job, such as the Gillette Labs Intimate Razor for instance.
Comfort
Finally, you should prioritise comfort whether you're a professional or an amateur sportsman. The kind of below the belt grooming athletes should carry out is largely the same regardless of their skill level or intensity. When it comes to male grooming for sports, give yourself as much time as possible between a male intimate grooming session and your next sporting session, ideally the day before.
Make sure you shave with plenty of prep to help prevent scratching or nicking yourself. Only use sharp blades and apply a liberal amount of moisturiser to help relieve you from feeling itchy afterwards.
Another comfort tip that covers the kind of intimate shaving athletes do is to simply shower more often. Showering after you have groomed your pubes to ensure cut hairs are washed away and then towel yourself dry by hand.
After intimate grooming, active men should avoid talc and tight-fitting underwear, too. When you proceed to your sporting activity, wearing a kit made from breathable materials will also help to ensure you remain comfortable and, therefore, focused on your chosen sporting activity.
