Goodbye, 'Jogbra'...

May 2015: First up, though I still try to put up blog content whenever I can, it has been easier to more regularly visit the the Twitterverse. Follow me at @barethomas10 and let's keep the shirtless running flag flying. Of course, the blog still attracts very interesting comments, and good discussion. Keep it up.

Second, in the years since this venture launched, and as shirtless running among women has gone increasingly mainstream, the term "jogbra" has clearly declined in use. I will thus prefer "sportsbra" henceforth - as has already been the case on Twitter, and in recent posts here.

I continue to welcome guest posts (sent to barethomas@gmail.com) on any related topic, including from those who would discourage stripping to the waist. I am myself of course a fervent convert to the joys of running bare. But let all voices be heard!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

From the Net: A convert to jogbraed running

An exuberant blog post from 'Hey, check it out' (click here for the original), whose author appears to be an enthusiastic new jogbraed runner. Welcome to the community of shirtless runners!

You know, that Sigmund Freud was on to something...

by emiliab9291


Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of jogging — mostly with my shirt off. Don’t freak out, I’m always wearing a sports bra, but I’m just wearing a sports bra. I’m adopting this new lifestyle: Telling t-shirts to take a hike.
Running in a sports bra is absolute freedom. I did it for the first time on Saturday, and I don’t think I’ll ever wear a shirt while jogging outside again. I became one with Mother Nature. The wind and air caressed my torso, and all the world was laid before me in the form of a never-ending cross-country course. My feet never got tired and I never wanted to stop running. The sun hugged my shoulders, back and stomach, and I smiled back. We’re pretty good friends now — the sun and I. We’re close.

Where does Sigmund Freud come in, you might ask? Well. As I said, I’ve been running sans-shirt lately –  but that is only when I’m jogging outside. I work-out daily at the LA Times, as there is a wonderful gym in the basement of the building. So, last night, as usual, I packed my gym bag with my daily work-out necessities (gym clothes, gym shoes, what have you), and I grabbed the bag this morning when I went to work.
But when I got to the locker room to change, I was surprised. I had packed everything I normally pack — except a shirt. Now, of course, there is no way I’m going to jog shirtless on a treadmill next to my colleagues (aka: the premiere journalists of the nation), but I did find it a bit hilarious that, subconsciously, I knew I wanted to work-out without a shirt. It feels that good.

Unfortunately, I had to abandon my work-out plans at work today — but who knows? After work, I might just make a pit-stop at my local cross country track. Sure, I don’t have a shirt with me, but then again, in the luscious, loving outdoors, do I really need one?

Ah no. No I don’t.

8 comments:

Shirtless Robbie said...

Indeed, that is very much how I feel about shirtless running as a guy. It's so liberating, it just feels good.

I think women most places can get by with running jog-braed indoors a lot more easily than guys can get by with running shirtless indoors. But then some women argue that it's unfair that they can't go completely topless outside like men do, either. On the bright side, I'd generally rather run outside in the sun, anyways.

Anonymous said...

Go for it girl! I first started running with just my sports bra during my first year at Uni, having being persuaded to give it a try by a good friend on the girls cross country team. It would be weird to wear a shirt to go for a run and unlike some of my friends I don't need to use fake tan to look good. Robbie has a valid point but why on earth would you want to run indoors...?!

The newly-wed Mrs Hoover

barethomas said...

I say, congratulations Mrs Hoover (and Mr Hoover) on tying the knot. Long may your married life blossom in blessedness.

Readers are referred to the earlier post entitled 'Why don't you run shirtless?' for how Mrs Hoover (then not yet Mrs Hoover) brought Mr Hoover into the shirtless fold.

hoover said...

Many thanks for your kind words. We both appreciate them!

Shirtless Robbie said...

Indeed! Blessings to you both, and on your marriage!

You have a good point, I much prefer to run outdoors myself anyway. Although, running indoors is sometimes a good option in inclement weather.

anohergal said...

I lived in a more conservative community for high school (many Asians), and it would have just been weird for people at my school to have seen me running in a sports bra... also awkward if I stumbled upon someone who knew my parents, etc. However, in college, it was a more laid back community and I felt much more comfortable going shirtless there. Coming back for summer vacation was bad though...!

barethomas said...

Hi Anohergal,

I'm pleased you're not normally now constrained by conservatism. Perhaps your high-school-years community has moved with the times now, though... but as with all things cultural, discretion may be the better part of valour.

In my own nuclear family, running shirtless would have been seen as somewhat odd and 'showy', which was one factor in my staying largely 'covered-up' until I began 'relaxing' in my college years. And I ultimately broke through the wall of inhibition, as you have.

All the best!

Anonymous said...

Aww thanks Robbie! :)