A brilliant workout at the gym can be both mood-lifting and rejuvenating. But, what if you come back from the gym with spots of irritation and red sore skin? It’s more common than you'd think - New York-based dermatologist, Hadley King, says that ‘sweat just makes the skin more vulnerable.’ (https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/thigh-chafing-female) Here are some ways to keep your sweaty gym sessions from rubbing you the totally wrong way.

Make a barrier

Before your resistance training, cardio session, or weight training session at the gym, apply a light, protective layer of a product like Aquaphor or Vaseline on your skin - even powders like talcum powder could work well too. The reason? Either option will help your skin glide smoothly, so there will be no rubbing.

Vary your workouts

Love leg day? Or is it glutes you’re constantly training? If you find that your gym workout is causing chafed skin around your thighs or legs, then do a different type of exercise or train a different muscle when you next go to the gym. Why not focus on biceps and back one day, and lower body the next? It’ll give the chafed area some time to recover and heal.

Wear the right gym gear

Cotton is a big no for the gym. You might be thinking that cotton clothing is loose and, therefore, your best option to avoid irritation from friction. To all our dismay, cotton gets wet, and in doing so becomes very abrasive. Your workout gear should be made from synthetic fabrics like lycra. A good pair of anti chafing shorts will pull the sweat away from your skin and your skin will be left feeling dry.

And make sure it fits

Having the right gym gear is a great step in the right direction, but it needs to also be properly fitted. If, for example, your sports bra is too tight, it can dig into your skin. And, if your gym t-shirt is too loose, it could rub against your skin when it begins to get wet. Right down to your socks and underwear, the right clothing can make the world of difference for you at the gym.

If you’re planning on using the treadmill or doing some other form of cardio, make sure your footwear is correct. You need the extra support and cushioning to protect your toes from chafing.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

Did you know that drinking plenty of water can also help stop chafing? By staying hydrated, you minimise the salt concentration in your skin. If not, your body will not sweat enough to wash away the very small salt crystals, staying on the surface of your skin and increasing irritation.

Simply put, chafing is all about friction. You don’t want to come home to a nasty surprise between your legs or around your toes after a gym session, nor do you want to leave your workout halfway through due to irritation. At No More Chafe, we can help you take some measures before, during, and after your session at the gym to protect your skin.