If you smell, you should shower before hitting the gym

[SeasonallySnowyPeasant]

Usually I roll out of bed, throw some clothes on and go to an early morning class at the gym, then shower when I get home. I have a quick sniff first though and if I pong a bit then I'll have a very quick shower and put on deodorant before I go.

There's usually someone in every class, even the midday or evening ones, who really smells. It's really unpleasant when I'm in the spot next to someone surrounded by a fug of BO. I'm not talking about fresh sweat but that stale sweat smell.

I know it's a faff having two showers and can feel a bit pointless when you're just going to get sweaty anyway, but AIBU to think that it's common courtesy to take basic steps make sure you don't stink out the whole class?

TBH if I knew I was going to do a sweaty workout I wouldn,t ahower before hand.

If imm going to the gym I don’t shower first but I will wash my armpits with a flannel and soap.

@SeasonallySnowyPeasant could it be their gym clothes? I've known people who don't wash them every time (vom!)

Nope never had a shower pre gym. I use roll on and all over spray deodorant then put on clean underwear and gym clothes.

I was going to say its probably gym clothes. Sometimes even when washed they hold onto bo smell then smell once person heats up. Iv had problems with dh tops in the past. You think they are clean, chuck them in tumbler then they smell of BO

Some people just smell more than others. It’s not their fault and no amount of washing will stop it. I know someone like this and he drowns himself in deodorant but as soon as it’s warm he hums to high heaven.

Agree that it's likely the clothes. At some point, they still smell, even right after washing, but you may not notice until you've worn them a while.

I wouldn't have a shower just before going somewhere to intentionally sweat, but if I was smelly, I probably would wipe off with a cloth and would definitely put on more deodorant and fresh clothes.

I always shower before the gym as I can’t get up and go out of the house without one, as I feel like crap if I do, and it wakes me up. I generally put gym clothes on and straight there after school run. I will often bike there and arrive sweaty but I don’t smell.

Some people are mingers though and may not even shower after the gym or at all.

I've known people who don't wash them every time (vom!)

Clothes you have on for an hour, max?

@StillCoughingandLaughing

I've known people who don't wash them every time (vom!)

Clothes you have on for an hour, max?

An hour of intense effort where you get extremely sweaty?

I know what you mean OP. I used to do Parkrun and there were always a few people who would turn up with really bad BO. Lining up next to them outside was bad enough - inside an enclosed space would be terrible!

Some of us don't have a very acute sense of smell 😁 poor you.

I'd say its most likely the clothes that are smelly.

@StillCoughingandLaughing

I've known people who don't wash them every time (vom!)

Clothes you have on for an hour, max?

I leave a spin class looking like I've had a bath. You really think it's acceptable to wear those clothes again?

Some people don't wear deodorant. There are a few men in work who start a shift in a clean white shirt nice smell by the end of the shift the stink of BO is very strong.
Yanbu at least wash armpits and wear clean gym gear it is antisocial at the least.

I couldn't use the same top twice after exercising as I stink. I occasionally reuse the leggings but only if I'm working out in the house. If I'm exercising at the gym I would shower before going and then after. If at home I don't shower before

I always shower for the early morning classes and always wear clean gym clothes. I can’t stand not to.

@Emeraldshamrock

Some people don't wear deodorant. There are a few men in work who start a shift in a clean white shirt nice smell by the end of the shift the stink of BO is very strong. Yanbu at least wash armpits and wear clean gym gear it is antisocial at the least.

How do you know they don’t wear deodorant though? Some people have more problematic sweat than others. Just not controlled by normal deodorant.

Ofgs! It’s just body odour. How some of you mumsnetters would’ve coped in the Middle Ages I’ll never know!

@TheFuckingDogs

Ofgs! It’s just body odour. How some of you mumsnetters would’ve coped in the Middle Ages I’ll never know!

Well yes, but the smell is pretty horrible and when you’re breathing heavily because you’re exercising it’s particularly unpleasant.

I’d turn up with dirty hair scraped back into a pony tail but I’d never wear stinky clothes and I’d never go actually smelling bad.

How do you know they don’t wear deodorant though? Some people have more problematic sweat than others. Just not controlled by normal deodorant
I think it is a culture thing they definitely don't wear deodorant.
It isn't stale bo or over powerful just heavy.
DP's friend in work never washed his work uniform he'd shower daily wear dirty clothes he stank.

@TheFuckingDogs

Ofgs! It’s just body odour. How some of you mumsnetters would’ve coped in the Middle Ages I’ll never know!

Because it is anti-social and we are not in the middle ages!

@TheFuckingDogs

Ofgs! It’s just body odour. How some of you mumsnetters would’ve coped in the Middle Ages I’ll never know!

I dunno. I guess everyone stank then so people's noses just got used to it. I'm glad I have access to proper sanitation and clean clothes!

I guess the smell could be the clothes. I'm amazed they don't notice though.

I leave a spin class looking like I've had a bath. You really think it's acceptable to wear those clothes again?

Same here @evilharpy. Even at the outdoor classes I've been doing for the past week in freezing temperatures. Of course you wash your gym clothes when you've been doing intense exercise.

My gym clothes used to still stink after washing; apparently the synthetic material can trap and breed bacteria . Now I hang them up after use so they can "air out" (instead of chucking into laundry basket), soak them in a bucket of water with a bit of vinegar before washing, and don't use fabric softener when I wash them, as it can clog up the fibres.