If you exercise regularly, you’re likely aware of the physical and mental advantages it offers. Regular workouts can enhance strength, speed, and muscle tone while also increasing dopamine levels — the neurotransmitter that affects mood and feelings (via Healthline). But are there advantages to exercising without clothes?
Interestingly, working out in the nude might offer more benefits than anticipated. While it won’t necessarily lead to greater weight loss or muscle gain compared to being clothed, exercising naked is linked to several benefits that can enhance emotional well-being. Ashlee Van Buskirk, a personal trainer and founder of Whole Intent, notes that nude workouts can help you feel more at ease with your natural self. “Nude workouts allow you to examine your body and come face-to-face with yourself, exactly how you are,” Van Buskirk told Healthline.
Benefits of working out naked
Exercising in the nude can boost self-confidence and encourage self-love and body positivity. Although it may feel unusual initially, nude workouts can help you confront insecurities (via Greatist). A 2017 research review in the Journal of Happiness Studies suggests that spending more time unclothed can boost happiness and self-esteem, and promote acceptance of your body and those of others.
Moreover, a small study in the Journal of Sex Research indicated that group nude workouts can normalize diverse body types and dispel the “perfect” body ideal. It can also alleviate social physique anxiety, which involves distress related to perceived evaluation of one’s appearance. Additionally, exercising in the nude can simplify form correction. Clothes, especially loose ones, can obscure your figure, making it harder to assess form during physical activities. However, working out naked provides a clear view of your body, aiding in tracking progress and alignment.
