Zogics Blog | Experts in All Things Facility

Choosing the Best Workout Towel

Written by Zogics | September 13, 2018

Make the most of your gym and sweat the small stuff. Buying wholesale towels for your gym or facility is a key way to keep members happy and equipment germ-free.

With more and more people joining gyms, grow your member base and ramp up profits by focusing on all aspects of your facility. One of the key details to zero in on is the quality of your workout towels.


The Importance of Workout Towels

Your fitness center should be well-stocked with high-quality workout towels. Towels are an important component of the gym experience. Consider the amount of sweat the typical gym member experiences during a grueling workout at your facility. Most workout warriors do not wear headbands or wristbands to absorb sweat. Rather, the sweat rolls onto their exercise gear or their shirt or shorts.

Providing clean and soft towels to members has many benefits. One key benefit is that they will likely wipe down machines and equipment after using them. Not wanting to provide towels for free? Consider stocking up on high-quality towels to sell at your gym.

 

Towels Limit the Spread of Germs

Germs are present in every gym. However, high-quality towels can limit their spread. If members use towels to wipe their body and face, sweat and germs won't be as likely to reach their hands. The hands are the primary means of spreading bacteria.

Furthermore, saunas and locker rooms should be well-stocked with gym towels. Microfungi, bacteria, coliforms, and even E.coli love these spaces. Encourage your members to use towels, showering sandals, and other hygiene solutions. to limit the exposure and spread of germs and other unsavory forms of grime to fellow members.

 

Towels for Added Protection

Be sure to select gym towels that are soft yet firm enough to serve as a barrier. This provides a layer between workout equipment and members' backs, bottoms, and stomachs. Some fitness enthusiasts lay down towels on workout machines for an extra layer of protection and support. Using a towel barrier can also help prevent the spread of germs.



Moisture Absorption

The towels you select for your fitness facility should absorb moisture with ease. Towels contain loops within the fabric's weave. These loops permit the absorption of sweat and water. A towel with a lot of loops will prove quite strong and absorbent. Towels that have aged and/or are threadbare won't absorb fluids that well. However, your workout towels do not need to be as absorbent as the typical full-size bath towel.

Members with moisture-absorbent towels can wipe the sweat off their brow and continue with a vigorous workout. Providing workout towels is not just a subtle amenity. It can improve the workout experience and improve your member retention rate. Pick out towels that are absorbent enough to keep members dry during exercise sessions, but not so thick that they collect bacteria.

 

Dry Time

Towels should not take too long to dry. A towel should be ready for use shortly after washing. In general, thin sweat towels tend to dry faster than a thick sweat towel. Yet thin towels have a downside as they wear down sooner than thick and fluffy towels.

The bottom line is most gym owners and managers will need a towel that can dry fast. Thinner towels will dry fast and provide good value. No matter the towel, be sure to give your towels ample time to dry. If not fully dry, your facility's towels could serve as breeding grounds for bacteria or mold.


Lint Creation

The towels you select for your gym should not pick up excess lint during the drying process. Lint can affect the performance of the towel. You also want to avoid members wiping a lint-laden towel across their foreheads. So be sure to check out the reviews of prospective towels before buying in bulk. When in doubt, buy a single towel, run it through the dryer and determine how much lint it picks up.

It will also help to avoid over-drying your towels. If you buy new towels, consider washing them in a separate load so they aren't mixed with the old towels. New towels are almost certain to shed and form lint when drying. Even towels of the highest quality have this problem. Another helpful hint is to air dry towels every once in a while. You can also use the dryer's lowest setting to lower lint creation.


Towel Material

The best gym towels for sweat are made of cotton. This is due to the fact that cotton fibers are extremely absorbent and dry in a short amount of time. Though cotton will suffice for your gym's workout towels, it is only one of many options. Additional towel materials include microfiber, bamboo, and linen.


Towel Weight

Towels are often measured according to fabric density. Towels that are light are almost always thinner. These towels are usually inexpensive as they wear down faster than thick towels. If you plan on cycling the same towels through your gym every few days, opt for heavy towels that can endure a steady stream of washes. If you plan on buying a considerable amount of towels in bulk, consider opting for a thinner towel.

Gym Towel Size

Most people like workout towels that are small as they are easy to handle and fold. There is no need to invest in hundreds of full-size beach towels for your gym members. Opt for a gym towel size that permits the wiping off of sweat with ease in the midst of an intense workout. When in doubt, purchase several different sizes so members can select the one they prefer.


Workout Towel Texture Matters

Most people assume the softest towels are always the best. However, this is not true when it comes to towels used for workouts. An overly-soft towel might prove to lack durability. Don't stop searching for the best gym towels until you find the perfect mix of softness and durability.


Consider the Fiber Length

Towels with especially long fibers prove quite soft and absorbent. Though gym towels do not need uber-lengthy fibers, the fibers should not be too short. Find a happy medium for your workout warriors. When in doubt, opt for workout towels with standard fiber length.

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