Gym Towel Etiquette: How To Use A Gym Towel

Taking a gym towel with you during your exercise is essential to good gym manners. Adequate use of the towel ensures an improved experience for you and your fellow gym members, regardless of whether you are using it to wipe sweat away, wipe down equipment, or clean yourself up. 

In this article, we detail why you should take a towel with you to the gym, how to utilise the towel, how to select the optimal gym towel, and how often to clean it for health reasons.

What Is The Purpose Of A Gym Towel?

A gym towel serves a purpose beyond wiping off perspiration. It's necessary in any gym backpack for these reasons:

• Personal Hygiene: Sweat builds up on equipment found in common areas of the gym. Skin infection can be avoided by using a sweat towel to prevent the spreading of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Respect For Others: Wipe clean benches, seats, and handles after every use to spare yourself the agony of sweat-stained equipment and to maintain cleanliness for the next person.
• Comfort During Workouts: With a quick-dry towel, you can successfully soak up sweat and prevent it from dripping onto your hands, face, or workout surface.
• Protecting Equipment: Excess sweating is capable of harming exercise equipment in the long run. This complicates the maintenance of equipment. A towel prevents sweat from reaching the equipment and keeps it clean, thus making it last longer.
• Better Grip: Sweaty palms may also complicate the handling of weights or undertaking some activities. A towel keeps your hands dry, thus reducing the likelihood that you will slip.

Why Do Gyms Insist That You Bring A Towel?

The purpose of bringing a towel to the gym is to maintain cleanliness, prevent the spread of germs, and ensure a hygienic, safe workout environment.

Image By Kampus Production From Pexels

How To Use A Towel In The Gym?

Proper gym etiquette is made possible by using a fitness gym towel properly. Adhere to the following regulations:

• Wipe Down Equipment Before And After Using It: Some bacteria and past users' sweat can remain. Cleaning the equipment before it's used will keep you sanitary, and wiping down the equipment after use will ensure the other person is also clean.
• Use A Special Sweat Towel: Utilize another hand towel to dry your face and body instead of the towel you use to wipe your gym equipment clean.
• Don't Leave It Behind: Store your towel in your work bag whenever you are not using it. It is considered rude to leave it alone or to hang it over multiple machines.
• Avoid Sharing Your Towel: Sharing the towel has a high possibility of transferring bacteria and diseases. Don't forget to carry your gym towel.
• Respect Personal Space: When you are using a bench or mat, put down your towel first before sitting or lying down to absorb sweat and save the surface for the user after you.

Image By Kampus Production From Pexels

Selecting The Ideal Gym Towel

All towels are not the same. Here's what to consider when choosing a gym towel:

1. Material

• Cotton: Absorbent and soft but slower to dry. Best used for light exercises. Weavve’s Cotton Silver Towels, infused with antibacterial SILVERPLUS®, help prevent odour-causing bacteria for a fresher, more hygienic experience at the gym. Made from premium cotton, they are highly absorbent, luxuriously soft, and durable—perfect for everyday use.

Featuring Weavve’s Silver Infused Towel Bundle

• Bamboo: Biodegradable, antimicrobial, and moisture-wicking. It is perfect for sensitive skin.
  Building on these benefits, Weavve’s Bamboo Towels have a silky-smooth texture. Additionally, their enhanced breathability ensures ultimate comfort, whether for post-shower relaxation or a refreshing gym session.

Featuring Weavve’s Bamboo Fibre Towel Bundle

2. Size

• Hand Towel (35 x 76 cm / 33 x 71 cm): Keep sweat at bay during intense workouts and weight training, protecting your face and equipment.

• Bath Towel (70 x 140 cm): Ideal for yoga, Pilates, or post-session showers, providing full coverage and maximum absorbency.

• Face Towel (34 x 34 cm): Perfect for quick dabs during cardio or stretching, stopping sweat from running into your eyes.

With the right sizes for every workout, Weavve’s Towels ensures a perfect fit for your routine. Our gym towels are soft, durable, and highly absorbent, keeping you fresh and focused from start to finish.

3. Durability

• Select towels that can be washed repeatedly without losing their absorbency or shape.

• Reinforced edges and heavy-duty stitching are indicators of a long-lasting towel.
  
  

4. Portability

• Select a lightweight towel that folds or rolls up neatly to store in your gym bag.

• Some towels have carrying loops or pouches for extra convenience.
  
  

5. Quick-Dry Feature

A gym quick-dry towel is ideal for gym usage since it keeps odour at bay and dries quickly to be ready for reuse sooner.

How Often Should You Change Your Gym Towel?

Sweaty towels have bacteria that can cause odours and infections. Observe the following hygiene tips:

• Daily Wash: If you sweat a lot during exercise, wash your towel after each workout. For proper care and maintenance, follow these guidelines on how to wash a towel to preserve its softness and longevity.

• Every 2-3 Uses: If you just lightly sweat, washing the towel every two to three workouts should be enough.

• Use A Fresh Towel Each Week: If your gym offers towels, ask for a fresh one each time to avoid any hygiene problems.

• Swap Every 3-6 Months: If your towel gets rough, loses absorbency, or begins to smell even after washing, swap it with a new one.

Image By Tima Miroshnichenko From Pexels

Tips To Make Your Towel Last Longer

These tips apply to Weavve’s Towels; think of them as a reference for maintaining your gym towel. Don’t forget to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for optimal use.

• Wash dark colours separately. This prevents colour bleeding and maintains the vibrancy of your towels.

• Wash the towels at or below 60°C. 

• Tumble dry at medium heat. This helps maintain softness and absorbency.

• Do not iron.

• Do not dry clean.

• Do not use any kind of bleaching agent or detergent with bleach as an ingredient, as bleach damages the fibre.

Common Gym Towel Mistakes To Avoid

• Using The Same Towel For All: Do not use one towel to wipe equipment, your face, and your body. This transmits germs.

• Leaving Towels On Equipment: This will be a bother to others and is rude.

• Sharing Towels: Sharing towels with friends, even, will spread bacteria and infections.

• Failing To Regularly Wash Your Towel: A dirty towel can lead to skin irritation or infection.

Image By Victor Freitas From Pexels

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Towel Rule At The Gym?

Most gyms have a gym towel rule of etiquette that mandates members to bring a towel and wipe down equipment after use. Some gyms even have policies where not bringing a towel means denying entry.

How Many Times Can You Use A Gym Towel?

A gym towel should be washed after each use to avoid bacterial accumulation. Provided it is clean and dry, it can be reused once before washing.

Where To Put Your Gym Towel?

Put your towel on benches or equipment when in use to avoid direct contact with sweat. In between uses, keep it in your gym bag or hang it on a towel rack if one is provided.

What Is The Difference Between A Bath Towel And A Gym Towel?

A bath towel is larger, and ideal for drying off after a shower, while a gym towel is smaller, lighter, and perfect for wiping away sweat during exercise. Made from materials like absorbent cotton, gym towels focus on quick moisture removal rather than maximum absorbency.

Key Takeaway

Using a gym towel properly is a crucial part of gym etiquette. It ensures personal hygiene, protects gym equipment, and shows respect for fellow gymgoers. 

Choose a quick-dry towel, wash it regularly, and always wipe down machines after use. By following these rules, you’ll contribute to a cleaner, more comfortable workout environment while maintaining good workout habits.