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Nearly everyone understands the importance of taking a shower following a workout. A post-workout shower aids in recovery, reduces muscle soreness, and washes sweat and bacteria from your skin to prevent infections and breakouts. But did you know that taking a shower BEFORE your workout also comes with benefits?

You may be thinking, why would I shower before my workout if I’m going to get sweaty anyway? Isn’t showering before my workout pointless and a waste of time?

Showering before your workout offers a number of science-backed benefits that can actually enhance your performance and bring you closer to meeting your fitness goals.

Check out the following seven benefits to showering before your workout.

1. Increase Your Alertness

The first spray of cold water that hits your body when taking a cold shower will spike both your heart rate and oxygen intake. As a result, you benefit from increased alertness and energy levels that can set you up for an amazing, productive workout.

To increase your alertness even more, use body washes with scents scientifically proven to make you feel more energetic, such as citrus, peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus. I love splurging on this Citrus Body Wash by Pharmacopia, but when I need something more budget-friendly, I use this Revitalizing Citrus Body Wash by Jason or this Island Citrus Bath and Shower Gel by Alba Botanica.

2. Boost Your Endurance

Showering in cold water before your workout is shown to increase your body’s endurance level and capacity for exercising at higher intensity levels for longer periods of time. So for instance, if you’re running outdoors in hot summer temperatures, taking a cool shower before your workout can boost your endurance and help you finish strong.

3. Loosen Your Muscles

Taking a hot shower before exercising reduces muscle tension, tightness, and stiffness—all of which could otherwise lead to injuries like muscle strain, runner’s knee, and Achilles tendinitis. But taking a warm or hot shower beforehand helps you relax so you experience a safer, more productive and fulfilling workout.

4. Reduce Your Body Odor

Showering beforehand removes any sweat, bacteria, and other debris from your skin that accumulated while you slept or went about your day. This type of skin funk can contribute to smellier, more intensified body odor when you start sweating during your workout. Not only is bad body odor a reflection of poor personal hygiene, but it can end up distracting you and those around you who are trying to have productive workouts themselves.

5. Achieve Greater Physical Comfort

Skipping a pre-workout shower can make you feel more grimy, sweaty, and uncomfortable even sooner during your workout. Physical discomfort can also be super distracting while you’re exercising. But arriving at your workout feeling fresh and clean can minimize distractions in the form of clammy and sticky skin, unpleasant odors, and a general sense of discomfort.

6. Feel More Prepared To Excel

Many people shower in the morning before going to work so they can feel refreshed, alert, and ready to tackle the day ahead. Why not approach your workout in the same manner?

Showering before your workout helps you mentally prepare for an important job ahead and can help you stay focused on your performance.

7. Meet More Friends

If your goal is to connect with like-minded individuals at your gym or fitness club, showering before your workout can definitely make you more approachable and less annoying to fellow gym-goers. Not many people are thrilled about the idea of making friends with the smelliest person at the gym, let alone exercising near them. But maintaining good personal hygiene and showering before your workout can prevent you from deterring potential workout buddies.

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Content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medical treatment.