Listen Up—Gym Scents Are Coming for Your Fancy Workout Apparel

      My Pilates classes on Fridays are characterized by Byredo's Bal D'Afrique. In contrast, hot yoga is definitely a scent for Diptyque since who doesn’t want to have a water lily fragrance during downward dog? My strength-training sessions are all about Phlur. Yes, I have an array of scents I wear when I work out, and I don’t feel bad about it! True fragrance enthusiasts will get it—sweating just doesn't feel the same without a signature scent to enhance the atmosphere. Think of it as the beauty lover’s equivalent of luxury activewear: just like a fashionable wrap top or stretchy headband can elevate your workout (and look just as stylish outside of the gym), a refined fragrance can complete your workout look. Is it essential? Not at all—just as a stunning Celine kettlebell isn't a necessity, either. But is it incredibly chic? Absolutely. Keep scrolling to find your own.

      What is a gym scent? It's quite simple! Gym scents are just fragrances worn while exercising. Some might view the extra spritz as overkill, but I consider it uplifting. (Though I admit, I may be biased as a beauty editor.) Parisian perfumer Isaac Sinclair shares this sentiment: "There's no reason scent can't play a role in your exercise experience just like it does in everything else you do throughout the day," he says. After all, many people apply hair masks before the gym, and we cannot overlook the "gym lips" trend popularized by makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell in 2022. (This concept involves a low-fuss liner-balm combo that’s suitable for the gym.) Sinclair adds, "[It's] probably not for everyone, but for those who appreciate it, scent can be energizing, motivating, and can make the entire experience feel more ritualistic."

      Sinclair explains that gym scents can act as psychological triggers to improve your workouts. Scent is closely linked to memory and emotion, so a particular fragrance (like bergamot or grapefruit) can signal to your brain that it's time to get moving—similar to how a vanilla or caramel scent may evoke cozy feelings. "[Fragrance can help] mentally prime you for your workout, potentially boosting motivation through scent associations," he remarks.

      Moreover, who doesn’t love smelling amazing at all times? Hearing "You smell wonderful" is always flattering, but at the gym? That feels like a significant achievement, earning an extra gold star. While I don’t advocate wearing a scent solely for the compliments, it is certainly a nice bonus.

      What fragrance notes are ideal for the gym? While smoky, seductive, gourmand scents have their place (typically after 9 p.m. in a dimly lit bar), Sinclair recommends fresh and light notes for the gym. "Crisp citrus scents, like lemon, bergamot, and grapefruit, work well, as do light herbal elements like mint or green tea. These refreshing notes can enhance rather than detract from the exercise experience," he shares. A quick chemistry lesson: Heat intensifies a scent—which is why you apply perfume on pulse points, where blood flow is higher and generates more warmth. However, excessive heat can lead to fragrance becoming overly concentrated. "So notes that are already strong at room temperature can become too intense during exercise," Sinclair explains. Your sweat also has a slightly different pH than your skin, so you may find that a favorite fragrance reacts differently once your heart rate goes up. This makes bright, airy scents your best option.

      "I think the 'just out of the shower' vibe works best," agrees Darryl Do, senior perfumer at Delbia Do Fragrances. Think light florals, citrus, and white musk. These notes not only smell fresh and clean but typically have a softer dry-down. Consequently, lighter fragrance concentrations like eau de toilettes are preferable to spritz before exercising rather than heavier perfumes or extraits. "Body mists are ideal for this since they contain a lower concentration of fragrance oil," Do explains.

      How to choose a gym scent is crucial. To me, an excellent gym scent is A) fresh and light, B) not overpowering for fellow gym-goers, and C) long-lasting enough to endure the day, assuming you’re out and about after your workout. It’s a fine balance, but a few perfumes satisfy all three criteria (you’ll find them below!). However, keep in mind that people’s skin can interact with fragrance differently, so if there's a sweet scent you cherish for the gym, wear it with confidence!

      That said, Sinclair agrees that most people should avoid overly sweet and heavy fragrances. "My advice would be to steer clear of animalic notes and heavy ambers or florals that lean animalic (i.e., dark florals)," he suggests. "Gourmand or oud certainly don’t resonate with 'gym' for me, and now is not the time for elevator effect fragrances. If grouping