I’m not sure why, but for some reason, I seem to sweat more than the average person when I exercise at the gym. I like to think it is because I’m putting in more effort than everyone else. Whatever the reason, being a sweaty bastard isn’t a good look, and it isn’t very comfortable exercising in drenched clothing. Below is my guide to the gym for sweaty men.
Gym Clothes For Sweaty Men
T-Shirts
Avoid T-shirts that are made from cotton, which tend to hold the sweat, becoming heavy and clingy.
The best t-shirts for the gym are ones made from polyester and other synthetic materials. These t-shirts move the sweat away from the body and allow it to evaporate away quickly. Most of the big sports brands have a line of t-shirts that are specially designed to be moisture-wicking. Nike has Dri-fit, Under Amour has HeatGear and Addidas has AeroReady.
I’ve had moisture-wicking t-shirts from most of the big brands and smaller brands. They all seem to be as good as each other.
Gym Shorts
Much like the T-shirts, go for moisture-wicking materials over cotton. I don’t think the length of the shorts makes much difference to keeping cool. Don’t go too short; you don’t want the boys popping out of the barracks.
Socks
I find the no show socks \ low cut socks are the best for preventing sweaty feet. Apart from being very short, they are usually made from a thinner material than typical ankle socks.
Trainers
Mesh Trainers – I’ve found that the trainers with a mesh upper design are the best for keeping feet sweat-free. The mesh allows air to easily flow around the inside of the shoe, removing moisture and keeping feet cool.
Also, trainers with a mesh design are very light and flexible, allowing feet to move with little resistance.
Cheap Trainers – Most of the cheap trainers available are made from various types of plastic that don’t allow feet to easily breathe. They’re not recommended for the sweaty man.
Colours That Hide Sweat
Black: One of the best colours for hiding sweat stains. It absorbs light and doesn’t show wetness as prominently as lighter colours.
Navy Blue: Similar to black, navy blue is a dark colour that can effectively hide sweat.
Charcoal Grey: Dark grey shades, especially charcoal grey, are good choices for concealing sweat marks.
Dark Green: Dark green tones, like forest green, can be effective in hiding sweat stains.
Burgundy or Dark Red: Dark reds, burgundy, or maroon can also be good options for hiding sweat.
Patterns: Patterns, especially those with multiple colours or darker backgrounds, can help camouflage sweat stains. Stripes, checks, and other designs can divert attention away from wet areas.
Generally, it’s best to avoid light and solid colours like light grey and pastels as they tend to show sweat more prominently.
Anti Chafing
One of the factors that causes chafing is sweat. The less sweaty you are the less chance of chafing. If you do suffer from chafing, there are plenty of gels and creams that can help
Know Your Gym Air Conditioning
The gym I go to has 8 really good locations where the cold air from the air conditioning blasts out. I make it a point to use the exercise machines and weights situated directly beneath or close to these air-conditioned zones.
Sip Don’t Glug
I find that glugging down a load of water causes me to sweat much more compared to taking regular small sips.
Wipe Down Gym Machines & Equipment
Due to my excessive sweating, the gym machines usually get a good covering of sweat. Which isn’t pleasant for the next person. Always wipe down the gym machines once you’ve finished with them.
All the gyms I’ve been to have paper towels and a spray to clean the machines after use. If your gym doesn’t provide towels, then bring your own towel and ideally, some hand sanitiser to wipe down the gym equipment.
Take A Towel
I used to take a small towel to the gym for mopping up sweat but found it was a pain to keep having to wash. So I now mop myself down with the paper towels provided by the gym.
Antiperspirant
Antiperspirants work by blocking the pores in your skin that sweat comes from. I don’t use antiperspirant when I go to the gym for a couple of reasons:
- I sweat from everywhere, not just under my arms, so unless I cover my entire body with antiperspirant, it isn’t going to make much difference.
- I’m not sure that it’s a good idea to artificially try and prevent your body from sweating.
I guess if you have particularly sweaty armpits then using antiperspirant might be an option.
Headphones
I like listening to my own music when working out. I’ve never gotten on with over-ear headphones as they just make the sweat situation worse and earbuds keep popping out of my ears due to my sweat acting as a lubricant.
After trying various types of headphones I found that the bone conduction headphones work best. Currently, I use the Shokz OpenMove my review here.
![SHOKZ OpenMove Wireless Headphones, [England Athletics Recommended] Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sports Headset with Mic, 6 Hour Playtime & IP55 Waterproof for Running Workout Cycling (Grey)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31U8MJAdYHL._SL160_.jpg)
Conclusion: The Sweaty Man’s Guide To The Gym
My nickname at my gym is ‘spilt drink’, because I used to always look like I had spilt a drink down my front. By using the tips above I no longer look like I’ve spilt a drink down my front, although I still get called ‘spilt drink’.
