6 Athletes on Their Post-Workout Grooming Essentials
Cleaning up after sweating it out has never been so easy
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Fitting exercise into everyday life is a balancing act. It often requires hitting the trails between errands or squeezing in a lunchtime yoga class. Keeping the right products in your kit is critical for freshening up on the go. We asked six professional and experienced athletes for their recommendations on the best products to help you look and feel good after working out.
The Undress ($99) and Nathan Power Shower Wipes ($5)
Traci Falbo, Ultrarunner
When she’s not racing marathons around the country, ultrarunner Traci Falbo is an in-home pediatric physical therapist. She squeezes her runs in between long car rides and appointments with clients, cleaning up afterward with Nathan Power Shower Wipes. “Usually one wipe is sufficient after a workout—maybe two if it was a really muddy trail run,” she says. “They make me feel refreshed and clean enough to sit on my car’s cloth seats.”
Falbo has run in all kinds of weather, but if a workout is particularly wet, she slips into her Undress before hopping in the car. Stepping into the dress and pulling the halter strap under her shirt gives her a quick, discreet way to switch into a fresh outfit. “I can change my underwear or bra and throw on dry clothes without flashing people or getting arrested for public indecency,” she says.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Daily Skin Therapy ($5.50)
Mikhail Martin, Co-founder of Brothers of Climbing
Mikhail Martin created Brothers of Climbing to connect people of color who might otherwise feel alone in the climbing gym or at the crag. When he’s not at his software engineer job, the New York City–based climber is cramming three bouldering or roped sessions into his typical workweek. At the end of a workout, one of Martin’s chief concerns is his hands—all that chalk can leave them dried and cracked. That’s why he keeps this Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lotion in his bag. “It does a great job of bringing moisture back to your skin,” Martin says.
Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo Spray ($7)
Meghan Takacs, Running Coach and Aaptiv Trainer
When Meghan Takacs isn’t coaching or crafting new workouts for fitness company Aaptiv, she can be found on the trails of Central Park or the West Side Highway. Takacs keeps Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo in her bag, especially if she’s headed to a client meeting after a workout. “I use it because it makes my hair look like I didn’t work out,” she says. “It helps to prevent grease.”
All Good Lotions ($16)
Caroline Gleich, Professional Ski Mountaineer
Most of Caroline Gleich’s workout routine involves covering as much vertical terrain as possible. When it comes to cleaning up afterward, the ski mountaineer keeps it simple—a brush through the hair and a little mascara can go a long way. But to tame extra-frizzy hair, Gleich uses a dab of All Good body lotion in her locks. “I like the lemongrass scent,” she says. “It’s invigorating and covers up some of the sweat.” Made with organic calendula cocoa butter and rose hip oil, the lotion is designed to be rubbed in without feeling too greasy.
Dove Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Bar ($6.50 for 6 Bars)
Jason Fitzgerald, Running Coach and Founder of the Strength Running Blog
As a Denver-based running coach, Jason Fitzgerald spends much of his time in the city’s park system or on longer trails in the mountains. The running is tough, but the arid climate can be just as hard on the body. That’s why washing with this Dove Beauty Bar made with moisturizing cream has become a part of Fitzgerald’s ritual. “I get clean without overdrying my skin in the dry Colorado climate, plus there’s a nice exfoliating effect that’s not too harsh,” Fitzgerald says.
Clean Life No-Rinse Bathing Wipes ($5.70)
Mirna Valerio, Runner, Author and Writer at Fat Girl Running
After a muddy or overly sweaty race, ultramarathoner and writer Mirna Valerio reaches for Clean Life No-Rinse Bathing Wipes. “I particularly love to use them during a relay race, when there isn’t a lot of opportunity to wash, as you are in a van the entire time with other stinky runners,” she says. The wipes are premoistened and enriched with aloe vera. “They don’t leave a film, and they smell great,” Valerio says.