Strength and speed are critical in sports, but you should also consider your appearance. Hair, skin and nails go a long way in determining your comfort and confidence, so grooming isn’t something to take lightly. How can you look, smell and feel your best before and after workouts?
What Grooming Tips Should Athletes Know?
Caring for your body before and after workouts is key. Incorporate these grooming tips daily to improve your hygiene, whether you’re heading to work or a date after working out.
Try Cold Showers
The thought of cold showers can be intimidating. I’ll admit that I wasn’t a fan, but I’ve become accustomed to chilly water. I can’t go back because now I embrace it.
Why do people take cold showers? Research has demonstrated the benefits of sitting under a cool waterfall in your bathtub. A 2022 report shows cold water exposure can aid your immune system by producing T-cells and antibodies. Your immune system will thank you even if the cold water initially feels too much to handle.
Athletes benefit from cold showers because they help muscles after a workout. Soreness is commonplace after physical activity, so immersing yourself in cool water constricts your blood vessels and mitigates swelling.
The benefits sound great, but acclimating yourself to cold showers is challenging. Make the transition easier by gradually lowering the water temperature with each bath. This strategy was more sustainable for me than quitting hot showers cold turkey.
Wear Good Deodorant
Working up a sweat is the goal of your workouts. However, body odor is an unfortunate side effect of exercise. Your skin starts to smell bad when bacteria mix with the salt and water from your sweat. Various medical conditions — such as overactive thyroid or kidney disease — can exaggerate and worsen the scent.
The athlete’s solution for body odor is a powerful deodorant or antiperspirant. These products are essential if you exercise outside in the summer. Antiperspirants wield aluminum salts to reduce the amount of sweat coming from your underarms. While it won’t stop the smell completely, you’ll feel more confident that those around you can’t detect it. I always keep antiperspirant and deodorant on hand. Exercising before work necessitates this grooming routine for me.
Consider Your Sport
Body hair is a crucial detail for athletes and comes with differing opinions. Some guys prefer a clean-shaven face and well-groomed hair, whereas others don’t mind flowing locks and a Viking beard. Preference is critical here, but you should consider your sport when trimming your hair.
For instance, swimmers often remain clean-shaven to improve performance in the water. Michael Phelps and other elite swimmers have meticulously shaved to become more hydrodynamic, akin to marine life. Shaving hair can improve your lap times because you’re reducing drag.
Safety is also a consideration when it comes to dangerous contact sports. The CPSC reports that American football leads to almost 400,000 serious injuries each year due to its physicality. While beards are common among athletes, most elect to keep them carefully groomed to avoid having them caught or pulled in a tackle. Some sports teams, most notably the New York Yankees, have gone as far as to have strict rules about their players’ facial hair.
Develop a Routine
Regardless of your preferences, a routine is vital to keeping your appearance sharp. Find time in the morning, afternoon, or evening to shave or trim your hair. Maintaining your hygiene will make you feel more confident in your workouts and during the rest of your day. Creating and sticking to a schedule has benefits that extend to your mental health. Experts say effective routines help your stress and anxiety levels and improve your well-being.
Many swimmers prioritize pool time at least 1-3 times weekly. Lap times are typically better when shaving body hair, making swimmers up to two percent more aerodynamic. Shaving before swimming has also been shown to increase skin sensitivity and help prevent friction resulting in chafed thighs.
Care for Your Beard
Beards have a long history of male confidence. Research shows our ancestors associated facial hair with strength, attractiveness and health. If you have a beard, don’t take it for granted because physical activity can affect it. For example, friction from a helmet can cause ingrown hairs and unwanted pain.
Your routine should include beard maintenance to help your comfort and athletic performance. Trim your beard before matches and practices to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your vision.
Shower and apply beard oil when your workout is over. My favorite has a soothing sandalwood smell and conditions and moisturizes my beard while keeping a well-groomed appearance.
What Lesser-Known Tips Do Some Guys Forget?
Beard care and antiperspirant may be obvious for hygiene. However, a holistic approach to your cleanliness is vital for comfort and performance. Here are some lesser-known areas guys forget to check.
Feet Washing
Most sports require shoes and socks to protect your feet and enhance athletic performance. One downside is your feet can get sweaty and risk infections — such as athlete’s foot — if you’re not careful. You could contract this infection from someone else, so thoroughly wash your feet and socks to care for your body. Athlete’s foot is more pressing if you share shoes or walk barefoot in the locker room, so be mindful of this infection.
Sunscreen Spots
Sunscreen isn’t only for beach days. This product is essential when you’re outside for long stretches, so get the SPF best for your skin. Remember to apply sunscreen behind your ears and other easy-to-miss areas because sunburn is the last thing you want. Athletes with photodamage may wrinkle and lose skin tone because of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Chafing
If you don’t skip leg day, you probably know what chafing feels like. Frequent movement can cause chafing and rashes after exercise, so use balm before your workout. This product is useful when running or cycling because you repeat the same leg movements.
Feeling Cool and Confident
Grooming is standard for job interviews, dates and weddings. However, body care also affects athletes and their performance. Maintaining proper hygiene can boost your confidence in the weight room and the workplace. Center your routine on what works for you and stick with it. Your body will appreciate it.