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!

About me

Updated August 22, 2013

Some questions posed about me, or my views, collected here and answered. Feel free to send in more posers.


Q: What's your domestic situation/ marital status?
A: I'm married and a parent of young 'uns - ironically, my wife is not wild about shirtless running.

Q: How long have you been running shirtless?
A: I 'converted' perhaps a dozen years ago. I don't remember exactly and in some ways it was a gradual process. But I was once quite sniffy about shirtless sportsmen, so God has a funny way of putting people in their place.

Q: Do you advocate shirtless running for all?
There are always caveats. The weather. Safety. Consideration for others, in certain contexts. However, all else being equal, I believe any runner who converts to shirtlessness should benefit significantly in terms of comfort, camaraderie and convenience (call these the Big Cs. They crop up time and again on this blog).

Q: Are you supportive of shirtlessness in most sports?
A: Again, there could be safety and other issues that would make that inadvisable in some instances. Broadly speaking, however, the Big Cs again await those who go shirtless or jogbraed.

Q:  Are you shirtless all the time?
A: Not at all. I'm usually shirtless at home when the weather permits: I didn't used to be until after I embraced shirtless running. Otherwise, I usually keep my shirt on. I don't go shopping, drive or receive visitors bare-chested. Call me just conservative.

Q: Don't you think that the female equivalent of shirtless running shouldn't be jogbraed running, but barechested running too?
A: No, I think that's a step too far, for societal, legal, moral and comfort-related reasons.

Q: Are you into nudism? Don't you feel it is a natural extension of shirtlessness?
A: I've nothing against naturalists or nudists, but that's not my scene.