Buff

Around the start of the year, a trainer in New York made headlines when he announced that he’d be offering nude workout classes in his fitness studio. Naturally we contacted him and asked if we could try one of his classes — we’re always looking for new and interesting things to do in the nude! But the response we got was noncommittal and he managed to duck actually scheduling a session with us for the longest time. Then when he finally did schedule one — through some British PR firm, oddly — they cancelled on us at the eleventh hour.

Sadly, our guess is that the whole announcement was just a publicity stunt — we can find no evidence that he’s ever actually gone through with these classes (there don’t seem to be any reviews online, for instance, and no articles covering anything but the initial announcement, and no mention of these classes on his website, nor any mention on his Facebook page after the January press blitz).

But even if this particular trainer was just trying to get attention, that doesn’t mean the idea isn’t a good one.

After all, who wouldn’t prefer to work out in the nude if it were an option? No annoying seam pressing into your tailbone during stretches; no sweat collecting in your workout gear; no difficulty seeing the alignment of muscles so you can check your form. Sure, there are some exercises you wouldn’t want to do naked — jumping rope comes to mind — but there are plenty more that you would.

So we decided to take the idea and run with it. One of our members is a personal trainer, and she stepped in to lead the class; and in place of a gym, we booked the terrific little exercise studio we’ve used in the past for naked yoga. That, plus invitations extended to half a dozen of the most open-minded fitness buffs we know, and we were ready for our inaugural workout.

And it was wonderful — everything we could’ve wished. One of our participants (pictured above) had this to say about it: “What made this nude fitness class so refreshing and beautiful was that everyone participating shared the same mindset that nudity doesn’t need to be sexual. I worried much less about what I look like than I do just going to a regular gym. I was able to focus more on my form because I could clearly see what the instructor’s body was doing and see and feel my own body better. Plus, it’s very convenient to not have to bring workout clothes with you!”

We kicked things off with squats and pushups —

— then moved on to lunges and work with resistance bands —

— ab work and balance poses —

— some extra work for thighs and glutes —

— all interspersed with rest breaks in child’s pose, stretches, and the occasional dance interlude.

We all emerged from the session energized, if a tiny bit sore (only in the best way, of course), and determined to do it again soon.

Only next time? We want to do it outdoors on a warm day in the middle of Central Park. (Don’t worry, we’ll bring g-strings to keep it all legal.)

Would you like to join us? Drop us email at toplesspulpfiction@gmail.com. We’ll gladly welcome any open-minded, body-positive women in the New York area.

Hell, we’ll even welcome Harry Hanson, if he wants some pointers on what this whole nude workout thing is all about.