Following the manufacturer’s care instructions for your gym towel is key. A simple machine wash is enough for many towels, but others require hand washing. Drying instructions may also vary, and you may need to dry your towels separately from the rest of your laundry.

Or for something more familiar, our 600GSM Egyptian Cotton Gym towels provide great all round coverage when it comes to soaking up sweat and providing total comfort.Looking outward, having a gym towel is a nice practice to get into for other fellow gym-goers, too. After a hard-fought set across a bench or machine, you're likely to leave a pool of sweat when you get up. Instead of leaving this puddle for others to sit in or brace across, wipe down the machine once you're complete. This minor cleanup step can go a long way in maintaining the social structure of your training center or studio — and keep you in good graces with the staff, as well. Think about it, would you want to work out in a pool of someone else's stink-riddled sweat? I didn't think so. Our Gym Towels can be the perfect accompaniment for the gym, along with refreshingly tasty smoothie that delivers all the nutrients you need to take on the day. I know what you're thinking: "Can I just use my T-shirt?" And because I had the same question, I asked a dermatologist. Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, says it's not that bad in terms of skin health, but it's also not that effective. "Usually these fabrics aren't absorbent, so you're transferring sweat from one location to another," she says. The Yogitoes+ Repreve Yoga Mat Towel is also easy to wash, and the instructions are simple to follow for extended use. Just don’t expect this silhouette to be as versatile as other options in this list. The large 71-inch length is too cumbersome to add to your strength training, cycling or running get-up, but if I’m being honest, you’ll likely want to save the grip-retaining qualities for those sweaty flows, anyway.

The first thing you need to know is to NEVER USE BLEACH OR FABRIC SOFTENER on microfiber towels! The bleach will destroy the fibers whereas the fabric softener causes a waxy film on the fibers (thus preventing them from being absorbent). Why we love it: The fact that it's GOTS-certified and claims to be free of toxic chemicals is a huge win. "Many towels are made of synthetic materials and chemicals that can break down into tiny particles that you can inhale and ingest (if they become dust-like particles and are on your fingertips)," Gushée says. Plus, reviewers rave about their incredible softness. Honestly though, I’m not that scared of bacteria in the gym since I’m just going to shower afterward anyway. Other than a case of athlete’s foot that I got long ago (before I was smart enough to bring shower sandals), I’ve never had any bad experiences from gym bacteria. Nor do I know of anyone who has gotten an infection from touching gym equipment. The absorbent cotton is lightweight and durable and is designed to withstand multiple washes without fading.As for which towel? You can use the communal ones provided at your gym (they should be fine as long as they're soft and not irritating to your skin), but Dr. Gohara prefers to bring her own from home because then "you know where it's been." Not to mention, there are a ton of cute gym towels out there that you'll be excited to add to your gym bag. IF you’re a regular gym goer - or even if you’re not - it’s well worth investing in a great gym towel. Dr. Gohara is all about no-frills cotton towels, which are super absorbent. The towel measures 30 by 16 inches, so there's plenty of surface area to dab your skin dry throughout your workout. (Dr. Gohara recommends patting skin dry and never scrubbing aggressively, which can irritate the skin.) If your towel is soaked through or even just a bit damp after the gym, it’s always best to put it in its own waterproof bag.