Trendwatch: The Pros and Cons of Naked Workouts

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Updated August 13, 2014.

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After reading about a CrossFit gym in Denmark that's now offering a nude CrossFit workout session, I couldn't help but think of all the things that could go wrong - a poorly thrown medicine ball, a barbell yanked up at the wrong angle... and all those jump rope double-unders - yikes!

And truthfully, I don't think naked CrossFit will catch on. CrossFit athletes add tape and guards to their hands, shins and forearms to help prevent injuries, so I think it's impractical to strip down further.

That said, naked workouts have been around for years, and they're growing in popularity.

Naked Swimming

Swimming naked at a public pool might raise eyebrows today, but until the 1960s, it was commonplace, and even required, for men to swim in the nude at swimming pools. The original requirements were based on function and cleanliness - the wool fibers of swim suits would quickly clog the unsophisticated filtration systems, so going without was better for the facilities. And later, before the widespread use of chlorine and UV to sanitize pools, men would undergo a total-body physical inspection to ensure they didn't have any skin diseases or open sores that could spread disease amongst swimmers.

When fabrics and sanitation systems improved, the requirement to swim naked was eventually lifted, leading to today's rules requiring swimmers to wear appropriate swim apparel at all times.

That said, swimming is actually one of the only naked fitness experiences that actually makes some sense to me.

When swimming, you're not using (or sweating on) shared equipment, and the very nature of water reduces the likelihood of injury. It may be difficult to find public swimming pools that offer naked swim sessions, but if you have access to a private pool and you're interested in giving naked exercise a try, why not dive right in?

Naked Yoga

Naked yoga is another nude form of exercise that seems to be growing. From a functional standpoint, I can understand why. Most yogis perform exercise on their own mats - no shared equipment is used - and there's also limited opportunity for injury to private areas. Advocates for naked yoga claim that it's a freeing and confidence-boosting experience that helps you see your form and deepen your practice.

Naked yoga studios, like Bold & Naked, are popping up in major cities, while online and DVD classes are available to those who want to experience the trend from the privacy of their own homes. Personally, I would find it hard to do a downward facing dog in a group setting, but for those who feel comfortable with the experience, it's nice to know there are options available.

Naked Gyms

That brings us back to naked CrossFit... and another other similar naked exercise experiences that take place in gyms.

Having managed gyms and fitness centers for seven years, there are some basic problems I have with the concept. First, it's quite possibly unsafe. There's a reason why closed-toe shoes are required at most gyms, and there's a reason why women are encouraged to wear supportive sports bras. And I cringe to think about the guy who accidentally drops a dumbbell in his lap haphazardly. It's not that clothing is inherently protective from accidents or injuries, but it does add an extra buffer from potential dangers, all while holding the "wobbly bits" close to the body.

I'll also add that clothing helps protect gym equipment from its users, and users from other users. The sweats and oils on people's skin can damage upholstery on benches and weight machines, and with the growing incidence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spreading at gyms, the less skin-to-equipment contact there is, the better it is for everyone. Not to mention any other contagious skin infection that could be spread through shared equipment contact.

But I do understand that seeing your body in all it's stripped-down glory can help you appreciate your musculature and correct form during exercise. If you really want to see what your body looks like in a deep squat, there's no reason not to strip down, I'd just encourage you to do it at home.

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