Body Care

Sports care for endurance athletes is a collective term for products that protect the skin and muscles before, during and after training. The three most common problems that sports care addresses are chafing caused by friction from clothing or a wetsuit, cold and stiff muscles in low temperatures or cold open water, and insufficient recovery of the muscles after an intensive effort. Chafing may seem minor, but it can bring a training session or race to an early end: the pain that arises from the friction of wet clothing or a wetsuit against the skin at kilometre fifteen of an ironman run is noticeable, avoidable and unnecessary if the right protection has been applied beforehand.

The range comprises four types of sports care, each serving a different moment in the training and recovery cycle: anti-chafing cream and glide stick for protecting the skin in areas that rub under a wetsuit, running shorts or cycling shorts, warm-up and activation products for training in the cold or in cold open water, massage oil and recovery cream for relaxation and recovery of muscles and skin after the effort, and sports-focused shower gels and wash lotion for skin care that matches the intensive strain on the active athlete's skin. The right choice depends on the sport you practise, the season and the specific problems you encounter in your training or during races.

Which types of sports care are there?

The range is divided into four product categories, each with a specific function in the daily training routine.

Anti-chafing cream and glide stick

Anti-chafing products protect the skin in areas exposed to sustained friction: the neck and wrists with a wetsuit, the inner thighs when running, the saddle area on long bike rides, or the armpits in a triathlon suit. They are available as a cream, as a stick and as a liquid lubricant. A cream is applied broadly for a large protective layer; a stick delivers a concentrated dose to specific skin points and is practical for use on the go. Natural glide sticks are suitable for use in combination with a wetsuit because they do not affect the neoprene, which is a risk with some chemical anti-chafing products.

Warm-up cream and activation products

A warm-up cream or warm-up gel contains vasodilating ingredients that stimulate blood circulation in the muscles and skin and create a feeling of warmth. This is valuable for triathletes who swim in cold open water or cycle in low temperatures: applying a warm-up cream to the legs and arms before the start reduces the feeling of cold and helps bring the muscles up to working temperature faster. Pre-training products also prepare the skin and muscles mentally for the effort and can be part of a fixed warm-up routine.

Massage oil and recovery cream

Massage oil and recovery cream are intended for use after training. A massage oil reduces friction while kneading the muscles and promotes blood circulation in the tissue, which can speed up muscle recovery and reduce muscle stiffness after heavy training sessions. A recovery cream or recovery gel usually has a cooling or relaxing effect on the skin and muscles and is suitable for self-massage of the legs after long training sessions or races. Toning creams support muscle tone and circulation and are popular among endurance athletes as a daily recovery routine.

Shower gel and wash lotion

Sports-focused shower gels and wash lotion are specially formulated for skin that is regularly exposed to chlorine (swimming pool), salt water, sweat and the UV exposure of outdoor sport. They cleanse thoroughly but are less aggressive than standard shower gels that dry out the skin and thereby cause irritation in athletes who shower daily after training. An energizing shower gel after training supports the mental recovery from an exhausting session. Some wash lotion variants are also suitable for use on the skin after wetsuit use to treat skin irritation caused by neoprene.

Which product suits you?

The choice depends on the sport, the season and the specific skin problems you regularly encounter.

You do triathlon and want to prevent chafing during swimming, cycling and running: start with an anti-chafing cream or glide stick as a basic product for the neck and wrists when putting on your wetsuit or trisuit and for the inner thighs when running. Apply the product to dry skin at least five minutes before putting on the wetsuit. Also check whether your cream or stick is wetsuit-safe, as some formulas can damage neoprene. A natural, plant-based formula is always safe for use with a neoprene wetsuit.

You train in low temperatures or swim in cold open water and want to bring your muscles up to temperature quickly: use a warm-up cream or warm-up product before training on the large muscle groups of the legs and arms. Apply it 10 to 15 minutes before the start so that it is fully absorbed. A warm-up cream is not a replacement for a physical warm-up but a supplement that considerably improves comfort during cold-start sessions, certainly during open-water training in April or May when the water is still around 15 degrees Celsius.

You regularly suffer from muscle stiffness after long training sessions or races and want to support recovery: use massage oil or recovery cream in combination with self-massage after training. Focus on the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves after longer running sessions or bike rides. Five to ten minutes of self-massage with a good massage oil immediately after training reduces the build-up of metabolic waste products in the muscles and promotes the blood circulation needed for recovery. Combine this with the right sports nutrition for muscle recovery for a complete recovery routine.

You cycle long distances and suffer from chafing in the saddle area due to pressure and friction from your cycling shorts: use a concentrated anti-chafing cream or chamois cream specifically for the saddle area. Do not apply the cream to the cycling shorts but directly to the skin before the ride. During multi-day events or back-to-back training days, daily use is essential to prevent skin irritation, which can quickly develop into infection under sustained strain.

You shower daily after training and notice that your skin becomes dry or irritated due to chlorine or frequent washing: replace your standard shower gel with a sports-focused wash product that is milder on the skin and specifically tailored to the skin of active athletes. A sports-focused wash lotion cleanses effectively and keeps the skin barrier intact, which prevents irritation with daily use. Use it as part of a fixed post-training routine that protects your skin during daily intensive sport.

What to look out for when buying?

Wetsuit safety of anti-chafing products

Not all anti-chafing products are suitable for use with a neoprene wetsuit. Products based on petroleum or mineral oils can slowly affect the neoprene of a wetsuit and shorten its lifespan. For use with a wetsuit, always choose a product that is specifically labelled as wetsuit-safe or a formula on a plant-based or natural basis. Apply the product only just before putting on the wetsuit and not earlier, so that it is properly absorbed by the skin before the wetsuit comes into contact with the fabric.

Application form: cream, stick or liquid

The application form determines how easy an anti-chafing product is to use before and during a race. A stick is the most practical in a transition zone or for quick application right before the start: nothing spills and you don't have hands full of cream. A cream provides a thicker protective layer and is better for larger areas such as the saddle area or the entire neck. Liquid glide products are easy to apply over larger skin areas and are also suitable for spreading with a sponge or cloth in a transition zone during a long triathlon.

Timing: warm-up products are not for recovery

Warm-up cream and warming products are intended for use before training, not afterwards. A warm-up cream increases circulation and the feeling of warmth, but works counterproductively if you use it after training while your skin is already warm from the effort. After training, always use a product that is specifically marked as a recovery product or cooling product. Massage oil and recovery cream can be combined perfectly well: massage oil for the massage itself, recovery cream or recovery gel afterwards as a finishing layer.

Skin type and sensitivity

Athletes with sensitive skin or a tendency towards eczema or contact dermatitis should pay extra attention to the ingredient list of sports care products. Many sports creams contain perfume or menthol that can cause irritation on sensitive skin, certainly in areas where the skin is already stressed by friction. In that case, choose unscented or "extra" variants that are specifically formulated for use on skin that needs extra protection.

Our advice: for most triathletes and endurance athletes, an anti-chafing stick or anti-chafing cream and a massage oil are the most valuable basic products. Start with these and then add warm-up cream if you regularly train in the cold or in cold open water. A sports-focused shower gel is a small investment that makes a daily comfort difference for frequent athletes. Build up your sports care routine systematically instead of buying everything at once: that way you learn which products really make a difference for your specific sport and skin type.

Who is sports care suitable for?

• Triathletes who regularly wear a wetsuit and deal with chafing on the neck, wrists or ankles caused by the neoprene, or who swim in cold open water and need warm-up products for the start.
• Cyclists who ride long distances and need protection in the saddle area, or who train outdoors in early spring and autumn in low temperatures, where warm-up cream considerably improves comfort.
• Runners who suffer from chafing on the inner thighs or under the arms during long running distances, particularly in warm and humid weather when clothing causes more abrasive friction.
• Athletes with a high training frequency who shower daily and notice that their skin becomes dry, red or irritated due to the combination of chlorine, sweat, UV radiation and frequent washing, and who want to tailor their skin care to their sports programme.
• Endurance athletes in the recovery period who want to support their recovery after heavy training sessions or races through self-massage with massage oil or through the daily application of recovery cream to stressed muscle groups.

Need help with your choice?

Don't know which sports care product best suits your situation? Then we are happy to help you further. You can reach our triathlon specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our triathlon shop in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about sports care

Which anti-chafing cream is suitable for use with a wetsuit?

For use with a neoprene wetsuit, always choose an anti-chafing product on a natural or plant-based basis that is labelled as wetsuit-safe. Products based on petroleum jelly, mineral oil or petroleum can affect the neoprene of a wetsuit and reduce the elasticity of the material over time. Apply the product to the skin around the wrists, neck and ankles and let it absorb for a few minutes before you put on the wetsuit. A stick is the most practical to use here.

When do I use warm-up cream and when do I use recovery cream?

You use warm-up cream before training or a race: apply it 10 to 15 minutes before the start to the large muscle groups, particularly when training below 15 degrees or in cold open water. You use recovery cream after training: apply it after showering to the stressed muscle groups for relaxation and recovery support. Never swap these: a warm-up cream after training serves no purpose and can cause irritation on sensitive skin because the skin is already warm and open after the effort.

How do I use massage oil after sport?

Apply massage oil to the skin after showering, when the skin is clean and still slightly damp for better absorption. Massage with slow, firm movements from the foot towards the heart to stimulate blood and lymph circulation. Focus on the muscle groups that are most heavily stressed: calves, quadriceps and hamstrings after running or cycling. Five to ten minutes of self-massage per training day is enough for the daily recovery benefit. For painful or heavily stressed muscles, use a little more oil and reduce the pressure so as not to overstress the skin.

Is sports care a necessity or a luxury?

For recreational athletes with a low training frequency, sports care is largely optional. For athletes who train several times a week and regularly take part in races, it is a functional necessity: chafing during a triathlon halfway through the marathon is not a luxury problem but a painful discomfort that causes performance loss. Anti-chafing products are the most impactful investment for triathletes and runners who run more than 15 kilometres per week. Massage oil and recovery cream are more comfort-oriented but contribute to a higher training frequency by shortening muscle recovery time and reducing muscle stiffness.

Can I use ordinary petroleum jelly as an anti-chafing agent?

Petroleum jelly works effectively as an anti-chafing agent on the skin and is cheap and widely available. The disadvantage is that petroleum jelly affects neoprene and is therefore not suitable for use with a wetsuit. In addition, petroleum jelly saturates clothing with prolonged use and is difficult to wash out of technical sports fabric. For use on the skin when running without a wetsuit, petroleum jelly is an acceptable option for one-off use, but sport-specific anti-chafing products are more durable in use, protect the wetsuit, and are easier to wash out of clothing and skin.