As a coach of high school athletes (boys and girls), I tend not to run shirtless or wear tights anymore. It just doesn't seem appropriate. I might take off my shirt or wear half tights when the students are not around, however.
Disclaimer because this is LetsRun: When I say shirtless in my case, I'm still wearing a sports bra.
I think I stopped running shirtless towards the end of college, so maybe age 21 or so. My physical and mental health were in the gutter at the time. Moving to Idaho and eventually Oregon after college cemented the deal since it never got near as hot in Texas.
After about 15 years of shirts, I started running shirtless again in the last couple of years when it's above 75 degrees or so. I got a treadmill for my house in 2020, so was always running shirtless on it and remembered how much better it felt when it's warm (inside or outside). Plus I think in your mid-thirties you stop caring as much about what other people think.
I saw the other thread and started this one as I think the OP made a typo. Now that I'm over 40, can someone tel me when it's no longer socially acceptable to run shirtless.
Or does age have nothing to do with it - just my dad bod?
I’m 56 years old and live in Wellington New Zealand (my handle needs updating by a year) I don’t think its age that dictates whether you should run shirtless or not - more the way you feel about yourself regardless. I have no issues running shirtless on hot days, but then I’m lucky enough to still have abs and no excess body fat. If I did perhaps I would be a little more conservative in my approach. But as it stands I’m proud to look the way I do at my age so why should I feel embarrassed?
personally, stopped in my early 50s, when the ab six-pack became a keg and a wobbly one at that. Restarted in my early 60s when I stopped caring. Once it gets hot enough to sweat under a t-shirt, it's flab out !
is the standard-bearer for us, in the Rolling Stone interview -
How old is too old to be shirtless in public? There’s no age, and the public can kiss my sweet ass, bare.
great post. The last time I ran without a shirt was a few years ago (in my late 40s) on a suburban park trail. I came across a family that was hiking and a little kid yelled out "look that guy is running naked!" and the father started shouting at me, very angry. Like I was exposing myself to his kid or something. I was just wearing shorts without a shirt. I realized some people get really offended. I thought his reaction was weird but ever since that day I've been more self conscious about it.
I used to get that, run shirtless past little kids on the trail and they'd say look mommy that man is naked ! Never quite understood that.. hasn't happened in some years now.
I'm 49 now and still run shirtless some as I live in Florida, but more at the track than on streets or trails. Not to brag but I'm in pretty good shape—not buff but I'm a hurdler and got the build of a lanky hurdler still. I also dive (springboard and platform) and you don't do these things (or hurdles) if you get a bit tubby. So I think it's a matter of personal tastes but also what shape you're in, too.
For anyone who is like "well, that can't be" ok this was me like two years ago:
I used to get that, run shirtless past little kids on the trail and they'd say look mommy that man is naked ! Never quite understood that.. hasn't happened in some years now.
What's odd is that no one would have this reaction at the beach or at the pool. You aren't any more naked.
I don't feel that way shirtless, but I live in Florida where more men run shirtless than not and I'm also a diver (as in platform, not SCUBA) so I'm used to being at pools wearing just a Speedo—being in running shorts and shoes does not feel naked to me at all.
I stopped running shirtless -- usually anything 70 degrees or above -- in my late 50's, but a lot of it had to do that I was already embarrassed enough about how slow & awkward my running had become, and I just didn't want one more thing to be embarrassed about.
I stopped running shirtless -- usually anything 70 degrees or above -- in my late 50's, but a lot of it had to do that I was already embarrassed enough about how slow & awkward my running had become, and I just didn't want one more thing to be embarrassed about.
Then why don’t you wear a mask to cover up that face? Just kidding. You keep it up and you shouldn’t be embarrassed at all. Quite the contrary. You should be proud.
I've coached high school and college athletes and while I would not wear something inappropriate, I don't consider tights inappropriate. I coach hurdles so tights kinds come with the territory there. Shirtless though, no, not normally around athletes I coach. I think what wins most respect from athletes is when you can and will do their event in practice with them, which I do when I can (steeplechase though, nope to that).
Dude, I saw a guy around your age here out running in a light rain and kind of plodding along slowly but I have so much respect for that, that he was out in bad weather nonetheless.
If there is one thing you must remember, this is it: No matter what the weather is, no matter how buff you are, no matter how bad you want to work on your tan, you can never, and I mean NEVER, run shirtless the morning after eating spicy hotwings at Quaker Steak & Lube.
In April i moved into a new house and I have lots of neighbors. Before I lived on a cul-de-sac and could easily get to the trials without being noticed. When I did actually go for a run this summer, this idea popped up into my head pretty much right away. I thought about running a few blocks and then taking it off so my new neighbors ddn't judge me.
Then a few weeks later I was sitting on my back patio and my next door neighbor rolls up the alley drenched in sweat - shirt off. Guys my age and just finished an 11 miler shirtless on a HOT day. I've got the perfect place to live if only I'd start running.
If you are cold when you start, keep the shirt on and ditch it as you warm up (assuming an out and back route). If it is too hot outside, take off your shirt...neighbors can go suck an egg. What is stopping you from jogging 30-40min daily?