Remembering that as instructors we are the model of health for our clients, it’s important for us to consider our hygiene. As we teach, sometimes we catch a whiff of ourselves and realize that we don’t smell too good. Below are some reasons for those odors and solutions that we should consider and adopt. Even if we are the most awesome BollyX Rockstar instructor, our clients, friends and families will appreciate us more if we smell better.
What odor?
1. Bad breath is often the result of poor oral care. It can also be a side effect of a sinus or lung infection, or more serious medical conditions like diabetes, kidney or liver failure. Foods with high amounts of fat and sugar will make our mouth smell worse than if we eat high fiber foods.
2. Body odor is not caused by sweat; it’s the bacteria that lives on our skin and breaks down the sweat into acids. Hair can enhance body odor – the more hair on the scalp, armpit, etc., the more bacteria will cling on that hair. Stress or nervousness activates certain hormones that activate our sweat glands. Some medications cause increased sweating, including over-the-counter pills like allergy medications, Tylenol, and prescription medications like birth control pills or certain antidepressants. Our diets also affect how we smell. We know that certain foods like garlic, onion, curry and other strong spices sometimes ooze out of our pores, but greasy foods, tomato sauce, sweets, chocolate, alcohol and foods high in protein also create body odor. Finally, certain medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, menopause, liver or kidney disease, and depression may cause sweat or change the consistency of sweat. A fruity smell, for example, could indicate diabetes.
3. Perfume and colognes Maybe we use excessive amounts of perfume and cologne to hide our bad smells or maybe we just love our chosen fragrance, but we need to remember that our clients may not share the same love for our perfumes and colognes. It’s also important to remember that heat and sweat enhance scents. Our use of perfumes and colognes can irritate those who suffer from allergies (causing sneezing, watery eyes, skin rashes). Some chemically intolerant people may have more serious health issues like panic attacks when they smell strong scents.
4. Cooking before class. We are busy people and have to do so much on a given day. You may find yourself cooking for yourself and/or for your family just before heading to class. Unfortunately, when we arrive at the gym, we take the food smell with us in our clothes and in our hair. If we cooked fried foods or strong spices, the fragrance is even more pungent.
5. Smelly fitness gear. We might have great personal hygiene, but we will still smell bad if our clothes smell. Sometimes we wear the same fitness gear to several workouts in a row because we have a busy class schedule and don’t have time to change in between. Maybe we throw our gear into the gym bag or locker and wear it again the next time we are in the gym. When we get home, we throw our sweaty clothes into the hamper. All these scenarios create opportunities for bacteria to grow on our clothes; the bacteria will cause smells to linger so that we can’t get them clean, even after washing. Also, fabric softeners (and certain detergents) may cause more bacteria to gather on our clothing. They act as a barrier that locks in the odor.
What are the solutions?
1. Brush teeth and tongue daily, floss, use mouthwash or chewing gum if a toothbrush is not available after a meal. Eat a high-fiber diet. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day (our breath smells worse when the mouth is dry). Generally speaking, we aren’t eating a meal just before teaching, but be aware of drinking coffee or another strong flavored beverage just before you head to the gym to speak with members.
2. Bathe/shower daily and wash with antibacterial soap. If it is not possible to bathe/shower after each workout, use a soapy washcloth and change clothes. Consider using “body wipes” you can buy when you don’t have time to shower but need to “shower on the go.” If classes are back to back, at the minimum, change shirts and apply more antiperspirant. Use an antiperspirant deodorant; deodorant alone is not sufficient. If the condition is serious, a doctor can advise on certain medical treatments like prescription-strength antiperspirants and botox.
3. Instead of wearing a perfume or cologne when working out, rely on an antiperspirant or consider aroma therapy. A google search for scents that enhance a workout without causing offense turns up lots of helpful information.
4. Don’t go to class right after cooking, especially if cooking with fried onions and spices. Cook with windows open and cooking fans on. Shower and change clothes, and then go to class.
5. Wash workout gear as quickly as possible after a workout. If there is no time, then air dry your gear before packing it away. There are specialized “sport” detergents that work really well in cleaning fitness gear and leaving them smelling fresh, like Tide Sport, Nathan Sport Wash, and Penguin Sport-Wash. Natural methods include soaking fitness gear in baking soda (add a cup of baking soda in the washer along with detergent), and pre-soaking fitness gear in a water and vinegar solution (1 cup of vinegar to the delicate wash cycle with cold water.)
Please note that the issue of unpleasant odors may apply to students in your class. On occasions, you may hear from one participant that they don’t enjoy taking class because of another member’s odors. This is a delicate subject to discuss with participants, but if you find that multiple members are saying something about this issue, or that they no longer come to class due to one member, then it is appropriate to either speak with the manager about the member, or speak directly to the member and provide solutions mentioned here. Our clients and class participants will undoubtedly enjoy class more if they can breathe without smelling unpleasant odors.
About the Author: Masuda has been a fitness instructor since 1999 and has taught step aerobics, spin, kickboxing, muscle toning, Zumba, Aqua Zumba, aqua aerobics, TRX and BollyX classes. Masuda says that becoming a fitness instructor was the best thing she’s ever done for herself – not only does it keep her fit and sane, but she gets to meet lots of people and help them find the same joy in life.