Some things are a part of life that we don’t like to talk about in polite company. They’re nothing terrible; just apart of being a human that we all know we experience, but would rather keep under wraps.
When it comes to exercise, when we talk about it with friends, we talk about endorphins. We talk about workout regimes, what weights we’re lifting and what gym equipment we use. Very rarely do we discuss the other aspects, and we almost never discuss the most prevalent of all: the fact that sweat is a part of exercise.
Ah, sweat. We know it has to happen. It’s a biological process that keeps us cool… but it’s gross. It stains, it makes things sticky – and it’s the curse of any gym-goer. You might know it’s necessary, but it just makes the process ten times more difficult.
There are steps you can take to make your gym routine a little less sweaty and a lot more comfortable. Unless you go for interventions such as Botox, you’re not going to be able to stop sweating. There are arguments that, unless you have hyperhidrosis , you shouldn’t be doing that anyway. So accepting the inevitability of sweat doesn’t mean you have to put up and let it run amok – you do have some weapons.
Start With a Clean Palette
The morning before your workout, try and use as simple of a beauty and washing routine as possible. Limit your shampoo and shower gel, so you’re not left with any residue on the skin. Talking of residue, hard water is a nightmare, depositing minerals on your skin unseen. Look at the best water softener systems to make sure you’re not adding to the issue. Use an exfoliating scrub to get rid of dry skin cells. The cleaner and less clogged your skin is before you begin, the better you will cope when your heart rate is up.
Carry a Towel and Powder
Some people use talc to remove the wet, sticky feeling of sweat, but talc is cloying. If you opt for something like arrowroot powder instead, you will find the matter much better dealt with. Before and after you use any gym equipment, sprinkle a light layer of arrowroot onto any contact areas and wipe it away with a cloth. It’ll soak up the moisture and leave things smooth and easy to hold onto.
Don’t Wear Clothing Over Areas Prone to Sweat
With the possible exception of the groin; in a gym environment, that’s a tricky area to avoid covering up. T-shirts might be a mainstay of gym equipment, but they’re just trapping air and heat over the armpits. Instead, choose something sleeveless which sits beneath the area rather than covering it. The same goes for inner thighs, your neck, and your lower back. Only wear socks and footwear that give your feet room to breathe.
Use a Magnesium Oil Spray
Most deodorants can handle a workout, but you can give them a boost with a spritz of magnesium oil. This will help eliminate any odors that have crept past the deodorant barrier, as well as giving you a boost of a vital mineral.
What’re Your Thoughts?
Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.
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