Introduction
When you visit the gym, you are entering a health center. But that doesn’t mean that you will be mixing with people who prioritize hygiene and freshness. Often, it’s just the opposite. The close confines of the gym combined with the sweat inducing exercise that everyone is engaged in can combine with people’s lack of basic hygiene habits to make for a rather uncomfortable environment.
Of course, the fresher you feel, the more motivated you will be and the more productive your workout will become. In this article we present six tips to help you stay fresh so that you are adding to, rather than detracting from a fresh healthy gym environment.
Freshness Tip #1: Shower Beforehand
Most people know that they should shower after working out. However, if you’re going to a place where you will be mixing closely with others, get into the habit of also showering before you head for your workout. Even a quick, two-minute shower will refresh and cleanse your body and remove any sweat that you’ve built up overnight or throughout the day.
Taking a shower before you head to the gym will also make you feel better about yourself. You will be more confident, more alert and more ready to tackle your workout.
Freshness Tip #2: Fresh Clothes
Make sure that you are wearing fresh workout clothes for each training session. That means that you should be either wearing different clothes than you did in your previous workout or that you have washed them. Most people wouldn’t think of wearing the same training top to the gym without washing it but it can be a different story when it comes to track pants. Yet, they accumulate just as much sweat, grease and dust as your training top. So do yourself, and everyone else in the gym, a favor and wear a fresh pair every time you train.
Freshness Tip #3: Care for Your Hair
Your hair absorbs a lot of sweat when you are working out. If you have long hair, it is a good idea to tie it up in a bun when you go to the gym. This will minimize the chances of it picking up sweat from your body. You should also wash your hair after your workout.
Freshness Tip #4: Have a Towel with You
You should always carry a fresh towel with you when you are working out. If you are exercising on a machine, place the towel on top of the seat and/or back support. Never assume that the machine is clean. It is likely that previous users have left sweat and oil and grease on it. Of course, in the current pandemic environment, it is even more important for us to pay attention to this aspect of gym hygiene.
If you are a profuse sweater, you should also carry a face towel with you at the gym. This will prevent you from dripping sweat all over the gym floor and will make you far more comfortable as you do your exercises.
Freshness Tip #5: Freshness Products
There are a number of freshness products that can enhance your gym experience. These include environmentally friendly water bottles, knee wraps, ankle straps and head/wristbands. Another product that many people have found beneficial is Sweet Sweat gel which is put out by the Sports Research Corp. This topical gel is actually designed to make you sweat more in order to help you lose weight. It includes such natural ingredients as coconut oil and pomegranate seed. That provides it with a sweet fragrance as it helps to melt away the fat.
Freshness Tip #6: Carry Sanitizer
Over the years, numerous studies have revealed that gyms are among the dirtiest of all commercial facilities. You don’t have to sanitize your hands after every contact with a piece of gym equipment but it is a good idea to do so after your workout is completed. Having a bottle of sanitizer in your gym bag will prevent you from the possibility of getting a gym related infection.
Freshness Tip #7: Shower Straight Away
It doesn’t matter how busy you are, you need to find time to shower after your workout. Ideally, you should do it right there at the gym. This will remove any bacteria and sweat that has accumulated on your body during your training session. Take your time, using hot water and soap to thoroughly clean your body. Then be sure to thoroughly dry yourself with a clean towel. Be especially careful about drying between your toes in order to avoid getting Athlete’s Foot.
Freshness Tip #8: Use a Deodorant
If you’re a guy, apply an underarm deodorant while you’re in the locker room prior to hitting the gym floor. Ladies should apply a liberal dose of body splash prior to working out. Doing so will keep you smelling good and feeling even better.
Bottom Line
Staying fresh during your workout will help to keep you feeling good about yourself, enabling you to give your best performance on the gym floor. It will also benefit those who workout alongside you. Follow our eight tips to stay fresh while working out.