Alright, let’s talk about smelling decent during workouts. I’ve been hitting the gym pretty regularly, and I noticed that sometimes, no matter how much I shower beforehand, I end up stinking. It’s not a great feeling, you know?
So, I started to dig around and experiment a bit to find a solution. First off, I grabbed a deodorant that claimed to work with your sweat. I figured it was worth a shot. I made sure to apply it before every workout, hoping it would make a difference.
Then, I had this idea to bring a washcloth and some soap in a plastic bag to the gym. After my workout, I’d hit the bathroom and wash my face, neck, and underarms. It was a bit of a hassle, but it seemed to help. And of course, I’d reapply the deodorant afterward. That was kind of a game-changer, but still not a perfect solution. I learned that sweat itself doesn’t actually smell bad—it’s the bacteria on your skin that mixes with sweat and creates the odor. So, cleaning up right after sweating was a good move.
I also found out that using body lotion before putting on fragrance can make the scent last longer. So, I started using an unscented lotion before heading to the gym. I’d put on my fragrance after the lotion, hoping the scent would stick around longer.
Experimenting with Different Scents
Next, I started playing around with different types of fragrances. I learned that there’s parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. They all have different concentrations of fragrance oil, which affects how long they last. Parfum has the highest concentration, and eau de cologne has the lowest.
I tried a few different ones, focusing on lighter scents since I was using them for workouts. I didn’t want anything too overpowering. I read that applying fragrance to your pulse points—like your wrists and neck—can help the scent last longer. So, I started doing that too.
One thing I noticed was that heavy fragrances mixed with sweat can actually make you smell worse. They can also irritate your skin. So, I stuck with lighter, fresher scents that were designed for sports or active use.
Another trick I picked up was to shower right before my workout, if possible. Especially if you are going to work after morning workout. It sounds kind of obvious, but it makes sense. If you start clean, you’re less likely to smell bad when you start sweating.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally found a routine that works for me. I shower before my workout, use an unscented lotion, apply a light, sporty fragrance to my pulse points, and then wash up and reapply deodorant after my workout. It’s a bit more work, but it’s worth it to not feel self-conscious about body odor.
- Use a good deodorant that works with your sweat.
- Wash up with soap and water after exercising.
- Apply lotion before fragrance to make the scent last longer.
- Choose lighter, sportier fragrances.
- Shower right before your workout if you can.
It took some experimenting, but now I feel a lot more confident during and after my workouts. Smelling good while staying active is totally doable!
