No Sweat: Work It Out
The Best Ways to Get Over Underarm Irritation by Fitness Expert Jeff Halevy
As part of our mission to keep underarms irritation free, we asked specialists to contribute their unique expertise to the Dove Men+Care Deodorant “The Guide to Complete Underarm Care” publication. This article comes from fitness expert, Jeff Halevy.
When it comes to gym goers, I’ve seen it all. Heavy lifters, cardio buffs, once-a-monthers, and everyone in between. No matter your fitness style, there’s one aspect of working out that everyone shares — the propensity to perspire. So I’m partnering with Dove Men+Care Deodorant, using my fitness knowledge to let men know how to handle sweat.
Time to drop and give you five: a handful of tips for staying comfortable and effective from my work out playbook.
1. Dress to Sweat
Sweating means the body is cooling itself efficiently.
My solution is to bring three t-shirts to the gym. Let one shirt get soaked, switch into a new shirt, let that shirt get soaked, and then switch into a new shirt again. I like the moisture-wicking ones.
On outdoor runs, the wind helps dry me off so that I don’t need to replace my shirt. Armpits chafe during long outdoor runs, but less so in a t-shirt than a tank top or shirtless.
2. Fuel the Fitness
The best way to eat depends on your individual exercise routine.
If eating pre-workout, keep it light. If you have a specific goal, like muscle mass, then load up on protein. Yogurt and trail mix are great before a long run. A homemade smoothie with fruits and protein powder is a good on-the-go-to-the-gym snack. It comes down to finding out what works best for your specific fitness objectives and taking care of your body.
3. Bust Out a Bottle
Adjust your levels of hydration according to the duration and type of exercise.
Drink a half liter bottle before exercising, a 1/2 liter bottle during your workout, and 8 oz. as you cool down.
The more liquid in your body, the more you sweat. You want that expulsion process to happen. It means that you’re healthy.
4. Apply an Antiperspirant or Deodorant
Use Dove Men+Care before going to the gym.
If you’re working out hard, you’re going to sweat — no matter what. It’s important to use a deodorant or antiperspirant that is tough on sweat and odor, but gentle on skin.
5. Beat the Heat
Try to do cardio in cooler temperatures, because you will sweat less. Put a mini fan on the treadmill to speed up the evaporation process and lower your gym thermostat.
Being out on a hot field with gear means getting chafed just about everywhere. I’m a fitness guy, not a dermatologist, but I know that heat irritation seems to be a reccurring issue for folks I train. If outdoors, exercise in the early morning or late evening. Run cold water on your wrists, drink ice water, and take a tepid shower before or after a workout.
If you enjoyed this piece, please click the green “Recommend” button below.
