When is it socially acceptable for shirtless running?

ElliottTN
ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
in Chit-Chat
I was going to ask this in the fitness message board but I thought I would get some more honest (and entertaining) answers from the regulars on here.

So when is it acceptable for a guy to run shirtless? I know you should be able to whenever bc screw everyone else but honestly I do care what people think and would rather not gross them out.

So what is the criteria besides the weather? Is a full 6 pack required? Is it possible to not look like a douche shirtless running? Thoughts on when it is socially acceptable? Guidelines to follow?
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Replies

  • cgary13
    cgary13 Posts: 16
    I say anytime, at least they are working on it!
  • healthy4life4mykids
    healthy4life4mykids Posts: 84
    When guys look like you do, its totally acceptable. All the time. And I it takes more than no shirt to look like a douche.
  • NeverCatchYourBreath
    NeverCatchYourBreath Posts: 197 Member
    If you actually look like your pic then I doubt you'd be grossing anyone out.

    I say just go for it whenever. Like the other poster said, at least you're working on it.

    You would look like a douche though if you were running shirtless at below 40 degrees. Because at that point it's obvious you're doing it for attention, not because you're hot (read: temperature elevated).
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Personally I won't start running shirtless until nothing jiggles. And even then it would only be on days so hellishly hot that even a sleeveless, breathable, sweat wicking running shirt offers no respite. From your profile pic, I don't think anyone would complain, except maybe out of jealousy.
  • tonynguyen75
    tonynguyen75 Posts: 418 Member
    Only at the beach.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Only at the beach.

    You are kidding right? OP you are fine to do it now. We have a guy about 70 running where I walk and he is shirtless. If you're hot do it.
  • LiveLoveLift67
    LiveLoveLift67 Posts: 895 Member
    Based on your profile pic i would say NOW. But otherwise i think as long as the belly or moobs arent flopping all over the place its ok .

    Whenever you feel comfortable with yourself is probably the best answer.
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    Matthew McConaughey called. he wants his question back.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Personally I won't start running shirtless until nothing jiggles. And even then it would only be on days so hellishly hot that even a sleeveless, breathable, sweat wicking running shirt offers no respite. From your profile pic, I don't think anyone would complain, except maybe out of jealousy.

    See, that's my problem. I still got a little piece of gut hanging on to the bottom of my abs that would jiggle unless I'm flexing my abs..so that's what I would find to be gross but not sure about others. Everything else is pretty solid.
  • awlosing30
    awlosing30 Posts: 38 Member
    Matthew McConaughey called. he wants his question back.

    Matthew McConaughey can go shirtless anywhere!!!
  • juliemouse83
    juliemouse83 Posts: 6,663 Member
    When you’re not a female in America?

    I kid, I kid…

    If that’s you in the pic? Now is acceptable.
  • spookiefox
    spookiefox Posts: 215 Member
    I was going to ask this in the fitness message board but I thought I would get some more honest (and entertaining) answers from the regulars on here.

    So when is it acceptable for a guy to run shirtless? I know you should be able to whenever bc screw everyone else but honestly I do care what people think and would rather not gross them out.

    So what is the criteria besides the weather? Is a full 6 pack required? Is it possible to not look like a douche shirtless running? Thoughts on when it is socially acceptable? Guidelines to follow?

    I don't really care what you choose to do. IMO, it always looks "douchey." Is there a reason guys NEED to run shirtless?
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Personally I won't start running shirtless until nothing jiggles. And even then it would only be on days so hellishly hot that even a sleeveless, breathable, sweat wicking running shirt offers no respite. From your profile pic, I don't think anyone would complain, except maybe out of jealousy.

    See, that's my problem. I still got a little piece of gut hanging on to the bottom of my abs that would jiggle unless I'm flexing my abs..so that's what I would find to be gross but not sure about others. Everything else is pretty solid.

    Eh, even so, unless you are living in an olympic village I'd peg your physique as way above average and unlikely to cause offense. Unless, as has been pointed out, you are needlessly running shirtless on a cool day, in which case you'd look like a douche. In that situation the physique would actually work against you, I'd say.
  • RN514
    RN514 Posts: 1,107 Member
    I'm pretty sure now would be a great time to start. ;)

    I agree with the "whenever you feel comfortable with yourself" answers though.
  • mag131
    mag131 Posts: 542 Member
    If I saw you, I wouldn't be focusing on that little bit of jiggle when you have abs and legs like that.

    Whenever you're confident though.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    I was going to ask this in the fitness message board but I thought I would get some more honest (and entertaining) answers from the regulars on here.

    So when is it acceptable for a guy to run shirtless? I know you should be able to whenever bc screw everyone else but honestly I do care what people think and would rather not gross them out.

    So what is the criteria besides the weather? Is a full 6 pack required? Is it possible to not look like a douche shirtless running? Thoughts on when it is socially acceptable? Guidelines to follow?

    I don't really care what you choose to do. IMO, it always looks "douchey." Is there a reason guys NEED to run shirtless?

    I live in the Saint Louis area. In the summer it's well over 100 degrees, with 95+% humidity. I have to say that there have been days that I wanted to run shirtless. Days when even the light weight, space age material sleeveless running shirt felt like running with an insulated jacket on.
  • da1128
    da1128 Posts: 212 Member
    If that's you in the pic, go for it! Where do you run? I wouldn't mind the scenery! :bigsmile:
  • spookiefox
    spookiefox Posts: 215 Member
    What I also think is douchey is any implication that size, weight, or appearance has anything to do with it. Wearing clothes is not to prevent people from seeing what they have arbitrarily labelled ugly.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Only at the beach.

    As far as being "non-tacky", this would be my answer. But sometimes IDGAF about being "tacky".
  • kowajenn
    kowajenn Posts: 274 Member
    When I see a guy running shirtless, I think he's pretty full of himself and looking for attention. Maybe that's not fair, but that's always my first thought.
  • Ed98043
    Ed98043 Posts: 1,333 Member

    I don't really care what you choose to do. IMO, it always looks "douchey." Is there a reason guys NEED to run shirtless?

    When I see a guy running shirtless I just assume he's multi-tasking and working on his tan while running.

    I would prefer not to see a guy with floppy moobs running shirtless. But ultimately it's his choice.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    When I see a guy running shirtless, I think he's pretty full of himself and looking for attention. Maybe that's not fair, but that's always my first thought.

    When I see a guy running shirtless, or a woman running in a sports bra, I normally think "can't say I blame them, it's hellishly hot today"
  • pauldix
    pauldix Posts: 35 Member
    If it's a dark night, why not?
  • spookiefox
    spookiefox Posts: 215 Member
    I was going to ask this in the fitness message board but I thought I would get some more honest (and entertaining) answers from the regulars on here.

    So when is it acceptable for a guy to run shirtless? I know you should be able to whenever bc screw everyone else but honestly I do care what people think and would rather not gross them out.

    So what is the criteria besides the weather? Is a full 6 pack required? Is it possible to not look like a douche shirtless running? Thoughts on when it is socially acceptable? Guidelines to follow?

    I don't really care what you choose to do. IMO, it always looks "douchey." Is there a reason guys NEED to run shirtless?

    I live in the Saint Louis area. In the summer it's well over 100 degrees, with 95+% humidity. I have to say that there have been days that I wanted to run shirtless. Days when even the light weight, space age material sleeveless running shirt felt like running with an insulated jacket on.

    It feels that way for women too, yet it's still illegal, even in St. Louis when it's hot and humid, for them to strip half naked.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    I was going to ask this in the fitness message board but I thought I would get some more honest (and entertaining) answers from the regulars on here.

    So when is it acceptable for a guy to run shirtless? I know you should be able to whenever bc screw everyone else but honestly I do care what people think and would rather not gross them out.

    So what is the criteria besides the weather? Is a full 6 pack required? Is it possible to not look like a douche shirtless running? Thoughts on when it is socially acceptable? Guidelines to follow?

    I don't really care what you choose to do. IMO, it always looks "douchey." Is there a reason guys NEED to run shirtless?

    I live in the Saint Louis area. In the summer it's well over 100 degrees, with 95+% humidity. I have to say that there have been days that I wanted to run shirtless. Days when even the light weight, space age material sleeveless running shirt felt like running with an insulated jacket on.

    This is the main reason but it's finally calming down around the Memphis, TN area. But yeah, for most of the spring/summer/early fall it feels more like your swimming than running in the humidity. That and it would be nice not to have to use band aids for my nips every time i get a little distance.
  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    Run shirtless all you want and be proud. Don't worry about what other people are going to think.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    whenever you are running past my house.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    I was going to ask this in the fitness message board but I thought I would get some more honest (and entertaining) answers from the regulars on here.

    So when is it acceptable for a guy to run shirtless? I know you should be able to whenever bc screw everyone else but honestly I do care what people think and would rather not gross them out.

    So what is the criteria besides the weather? Is a full 6 pack required? Is it possible to not look like a douche shirtless running? Thoughts on when it is socially acceptable? Guidelines to follow?

    I don't really care what you choose to do. IMO, it always looks "douchey." Is there a reason guys NEED to run shirtless?

    I live in the Saint Louis area. In the summer it's well over 100 degrees, with 95+% humidity. I have to say that there have been days that I wanted to run shirtless. Days when even the light weight, space age material sleeveless running shirt felt like running with an insulated jacket on.

    It feels that way for women too, yet it's still illegal, even in St. Louis when it's hot and humid, for them to strip half naked.

    I fail to follow your logic. Because it's illegal for women, I (and other men) should not be able to do it? If that's a law you want on the books, I suggest you write your congressman, because until such time as there is a law against it I shall run shirtless if I please.

    ETA : given the young ladies I run past in my area I am fully in support of any efforts to remove the ban on women running topless. If you want to approach equality that way.
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    No matter your physique, there are always going to be people judging you for running shirtless for one reason or another, and as you can see there is a pretty wide spread of opinion on the subject, so just do what you want to do. The only thing I've ever thought when seeing a guy running topless is "lucky *kitten*, i%*(!^@&!^ gender inequality." Not that running totally topless would be comfortable for most of us women anyway.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    I was going to ask this in the fitness message board but I thought I would get some more honest (and entertaining) answers from the regulars on here.

    So when is it acceptable for a guy to run shirtless? I know you should be able to whenever bc screw everyone else but honestly I do care what people think and would rather not gross them out.

    So what is the criteria besides the weather? Is a full 6 pack required? Is it possible to not look like a douche shirtless running? Thoughts on when it is socially acceptable? Guidelines to follow?

    I don't really care what you choose to do. IMO, it always looks "douchey." Is there a reason guys NEED to run shirtless?

    I live in the Saint Louis area. In the summer it's well over 100 degrees, with 95+% humidity. I have to say that there have been days that I wanted to run shirtless. Days when even the light weight, space age material sleeveless running shirt felt like running with an insulated jacket on.

    It feels that way for women too, yet it's still illegal, even in St. Louis when it's hot and humid, for them to strip half naked.

    I fail to follow your logic. Because it's illegal for women, I (and other men) should not be able to do it? If that's a law you want on the books, I suggest you write your congressman, because until such time as there is a law against it I shall run shirtless if I please.

    women run around here all the time in just a sports bra - or crop tops, etc.... as for running HALF NAKED unless you have zero breast tissue why on earth would you want to?!

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