Beat your fear of the locker room shower — even if you’re a germaphobe

by Brittany Anas · December 23, 2013

(Locker room shower 101: Make sure you’ve got flip-flops).

By Brittany Anas

There’s no place like home when it comes to showers. You know this of course if you’ve ever taken a shower at the gym or, worst, the workplace shower. The shower head pressure is a few notches too low and you really dread having a conversation with that chatty, towel-less stranger from your yoga class. But, sometimes, you gotta’ do what you gotta’ do — and if a locker room shower before you head to the office can shave 30 minutes or so off your morning routine, then it’s worth it. Unless you are the .01 percent of humans who have so much spare time in the morning. But we suspect “extra time” in the morning is a myth.

Locker room showers are a must if you are a swimmer or you take a post-workout dip in the hot tub because that chlorine can lead to dry, itchy skin. But if you find your natural habitat to be more in the weight room or cardio areas, you might have gotten away with avoiding the dreaded locker room shower.

Here’s how to beat your fear of the gym shower — even if you’re a germaphobe.

Flip-flops: Don’t ever clop around barefoot in the locker room because the foot fungus could be lurking on the locker room floor — and while Athlete’s Foot isn’t too serious of a condition (unless you have diabetes or a compromised immune system), it’s certainly uncomfortable. When you’re taking a shower, pop on a pair of cheap flip flops. Before you head home or to the office, dry off your tootsies and put on a pair of clean socks. If you do get Athlete’s Foot, get some Lamisel cream for quick relief. (Save money on your purchases at Drugstore.com with 5 percent Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com).
Buy double of your shower essentials: Keep your hygiene essentials — shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant and a brush — in your gym bag. It’s much easier then unpacking your home shower every morning and toting full-size bottles to the gym. Find travel size necessities at Drugstore.com.
Quick dry hair towel: Wrap your hair up in an Earth Therapeutics hair wrap that helps absorb moisture from your hair — reducing the time it takes you to dry your hair.
Give your towel a quick dry under the hand dryer: That way, you don’t have a damp towel sitting around in your car.

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