Nude sports activities were common in ancient times for more than a thousand years. The Greek word “gymnasium” for the place of daily training therefore contains the Greek syllable “gym” = “nude”, because you were naturally nude for “gym - nastics”.
or more than a thousand years, all important sports competitions in the world were held in the nude (besides the Olympic Games, the Pythian Games in Delphi, the Isthmic Games in Corinth etc.).
This lasted, until the Christian church put an end to this sporting tradition by banning it in the 5th century AD. At that time, there were not yet such wise people among the church dignitaries as Pope John Paul II.
Since the church's ban in the 5th century, nude sports have gone out of fashion, although the body and its exercise are the main focus of sport, and every piece of clothing is only a hindrance - and superfluous, with the exception of protective clothing for sports such as fencing, skiing, or bobsleighing.
Of course, you do your gymnastics exercises in the nude to stay fit. Of course, you only go swimming, if and when you can do it without clothes, of course, you only go hiking and jogging nude, as long as the temperatures allow it. Playing golf is usually no fun: In Golf Clubs, even Bermuda shorts are frowned upon and considered inappropriate. Nude golfing is rare, but all the more beautiful!
Playing skittles in the nude, which some active naturists like to do in winter months, when weather conditions are too bad for nude outdoor activities, is certainly not very sporty, even if sore muscles in the legs can be felt the next day – the typical bends when playing skittles have to be carried by muscles, that are not used much in everyday life. Of course, like in most amateur skittle clubs, the social component is in the foreground. And how does it make you feel? Quite normal. Only more relaxed than with clothes. But not nearly as good as in the open air of a summer forest during a nude hike!
Today, the initiators offer via th natury calendar of naktivities numerous sporty nudity activities. These include activities such as football, volleyball, yoga, swimming, batheing, sauna, bowling, gymnastics, fitness training, and more. Interested people register with the respective initiator by e-mail or registration form. Groups have mostly between 3 and 20 participants.
Is that something for me as well? Should I just try it?
However, don't I have to be ashamed?
Don't I have to be ashamed, when I am naked and everyone can see everything of me?
Our answer:
As a naturist you know, that we are all creatures of God or Allah or evolution – there is no need to be ashamed of our body: It has been given to us, and we can – just as it is – only be grateful for that!
I have nothing to hide – do you? …
… is to be read on the handlebar poster of a nude cyclist. A wise insight, which we can only agree with!
Hmmm: I'm too fat. I've two different sized breasts. I've so many moles. I've a surgical scar on my stomach. My penis is crooked. My buttocks are no longer firm. My thighs are fat. Oh, I have fat thighs. Well, I've got orange peel skin.
So what! None of us is perfect. Otherwise, we would be movie or porn stars. Better normal, then! Among naturists, you are simply accepted as you are!
Hiking in the buff is not forbidden in Germany
Regional daily newspaper Westfälische Nachrichten reported in 2018 statements of a spokesman of the police in Münster (Westf.) and a managing officer “Citizen service and order” of the town-hall in Senden about hiking in the buff. The bottom line of the information stated in this article is, that hiking in the buff is neither a criminal, nor – in general – a regulatory offence in Germany, as long as you only hike and you do not commit a crime such as sexual deeds in public.
In fact, the officials only commented on nude hiking – which is, after all, what they were questioned about. However, whether you do nude sports like hiking, jogging, nordic walking, skateboarding, or inline skating – of course none of these naktivities can be prohibited or prosecuted, as long as you are moving around in nature and you do not commit an administrative offence or criminal deed, such as sexual acts in public. And that is exactly, what we do not do!
However: What is true in Germany, is not true everywhere
Law always has a limited scope: it applies in countries, in federal states, or in municipalities. So, you always have to take a close look here, because completely different law may apply in different locations.
In most countries, nudity in public is only prohibited, if it serves sexual purposes. In some countries, however, nudity in public is generally prohibited and may be prosecuted as a criminal offence. There are also places in all countries, where nudity is prohibited.
Many countries (France, …) also use terms in their legal texts, of which it is not clearly defined, what exactly they mean. Here, one can only look at legal practice and see, which judgements courts have made in the past - however, legal practice is subject to change over time.
Whether you are allowed to be in the nude or not – you should find out about that beforehand. The natury website helps with information at Nudity and law concerning several countries.
What do clothed people say?
Reactions are practically always positive. Textile wearers, who we encounter, usually make a funny, friendly remark. Naturism is accepted. At least in Germany, there is a 100-year naturist tradition and (according to travel industry figures) around 8 million people book holidays to a naturist destination.
However, there are still occasional rejections, which you have to take into account. Everyone, who claims a certain position, causes distinctive opinions of agreement and rejection. In many cases, however, rejection of naturist activities is based on ignorance, which we can reduce by offering information.
What if one reacts weird to me?
In a community of nude people, everyone is much more understanding and considerate, yes: more turned towards the others. This is probably due to the fact, that you as a person being in the nude feel your own vulnerability very clearly, and you show automatically the consideration, which you expect for yourself, towards others.
So, you can be sure, that nobody will try to put you in an unpleasant situation, but on the contrary, you will be a warmly welcomed part of the community: You are in good hands in the group!
Your first step into your nude lifestyle …
… is the most challenging one! By the way, this was the case for all of us – even the most eager naturists of today have thought twice before the first time, whether they should participate and how it would work! But once the first step has been taken, the conviction grows very quickly, that you have done it right. Nobody has regretted it yet!
Concerning naktivities already happened, you might browse regarding and read some of them to get more information.
Also, you may inform yourself about scheduled naktivitiess launching a giving an overview or use the to participate yourself. Pls take into account, that some initiators use the registration form, while others simply use e.g. e-mail.
