Want to Boost Your Confidence and Improve Your Form? Try Naked Exercise

There are countless ways to customise your activewear wardrobe, from shoes to leggings to sports bras. But for your next workout, you might want to try a different look: naked exercise.

Working out naked sounds, well, a little odd at first. However, exercising in the buff offers a slew of potential health benefits—and you might just find that you prefer it to wearing restrictive clothing. Here’s everything you need to know about naked exercise, according to trainers.

What are the benefits of naked exercise?

Because you won’t have anything hiding your body, working out in the nude offers freedom from both mental and physical restraints. Of course, seeing yourself naked can be difficult, so there’s no need to rush into things—you can take it step-by-step if you feel exercising naked could help you. And if you have larger breasts and want to keep your sports bra on, go for it.  You can always stay in your underwear instead of going nude—there really are no rules, just do what feels best for you.

You might feel freer.

“Exercising naked is a liberating feeling,” explains personal trainer Sareena Rama. “[You’ll] notice the ways we hold onto tension when we exercise with clothing on. You may notice that you’re able to take fuller-feeling breaths without a waistband or bra straps.”

You could achieve better form.

Plus, there’s little else to distract you from your workout when you’re clothing-free, says Pilates instructor Ashley Patten: Fussing over the right outfit or exercise gear is less important than your movements, breathing, and sense of accomplishment. You’ll also be able to correct your form more easily, since you’ll have an unencumbered view of what your body is doing.

You can learn to love your body.

Working out naked can be “especially healing” for people who experience shame or discomfort about their bodies, Rama notes. “We get to take full ownership of our bodies while moving and flowing in our most natural state,” she says. “This allows us to take back the beauty of being naked!”

“We get to take full ownership of our bodies while moving.”

Patten agrees: “Doing a workout dressed in less (or nothing at all) is a great way to witness just how strong and amazing your body is and all it can do,” she explains. “What’s even more important than trying to ‘look better’ is feeling better and appreciating what it is your body can do.”

You might improve your self-esteem.

Research backs up these claims. For example, one 2017 review found that doing activities in the buff is linked with greater life satisfaction and improvements in body image and self-esteem. And a 2021 study concluded that groups of people who spent time together nude (in a non-sexual setting) reported more body satisfaction than their peers who spent time together clothed.

How should you work out naked?

Unsurprisingly, nude exercise is pretty simple. “The beauty of doing a workout naked is there is no need for any bells and whistles, literally,” Patten explains. She suggests using a clean yoga mat or towel as your surface, since you won’t have clothing to soften your contact with the floor. You should be in a private space; you’ll feel more comfortable and confident, and you’ll also respect other people’s boundaries.

Rama suggests getting started when you’re already going to be naked: before a shower. “All you need to get started is your beautiful body and an open mind,” she says. “If it helps you feel more comfortable, place a towel down on the bathroom floor! Ease into this with slow and controlled bodyweight movements.” You can also stretch in the nude after your shower.

When you’re ready to get more intense, Patten suggests trying Pilates, which doesn’t require a ton of equipment or space. You can do pretty much any exercise naked, so don’t be afraid to break out a few of your favourite workouts.

If you’re struggling with body image issues, Rama recommends repeating positive affirmations as you work out: “I am aware of my body,” “I am confident in my ability to move my body,” “I am worthy of time to exercise,” “I am capable of nurturing my body,” “I love my body.”

Some gyms and collectives also offer group nude fitness classes. To find these opportunities in your area, try searching online.

“Taking a moment to respect your body by giving it some deserved movement attention is just what your mind and body could use,” Patten says. “If changing up your routine and working out naked will provide you with the freedom and connection you’re looking for, there’s no time like the present!”