Chill like a champ: cooling towels for Indian summers!
Let’s be honest—working out in summer feels like training inside a tandoor! Under the ruthless fury of the sun, when you walk out of gym or zumba class, it feels like walking into a sauna. But worry not—cooling towels are here to rescue.
You might have seen people wrapping colourful towels around their necks at the gym or joggers cooling off like pros, chances are they’re using cooling towels—a fitness essential that’s becoming the new norm.
But what's the right way to use cooling towels?
Let’s find out what cooling towels really are and how to use them properly.
Don't confuse cooling towels with your regular cotton towels. Cooling towels are made with special evaporative material that can hold water but keep the cool without dripping. The magic lies in simple principles of physics—as water evaporates from the towel, it draws heat away from your skin. Pretty cool, right?
Begin with soaking the towel in icy cool water. You can also use running tap water. If you're at the gym, you can add water from the bottle. Adding a few ice cubes provide instant chill vibes.
Gently wring out the towel so it’s damp but not dripping. You need to keep enough moist to stay cool but not soak your dress!
Here's the fun part—snap the towel at least 2-3 times in the air. This activates the cooling effect by jump-starting the evaporation process. Yes, it's science with a flair!
Drape it around your neck, shoulders, or forehead. In these areas, blood vessels remain close to the skin. This helps cool your entire body instantly. You can also wrap it like a headband for a fancy outlook.
Usually, the cooling effect fades away after 20-30 minutes. No worries—you just need to re-soak, wring, snap, and repeat! Most towels work for hours when refreshed.
Post-workout cool down: This is a must after intense cardio, weightlifting, or outdoor runs in the summer season.
During the workout: Wrap it around your neck between sets to avoid overheating.
Yoga or Zumba: Use cooling towels to wipe sweat and stay cool without breaking the rhythm.
Travel or commute: Keep one cooling towel in your bag for sweaty train rides or long drives.
While buying look for:
Material: PVA or microfiber towels are good and popular also
Size: Go for longer cooling towels if you want to wrap around the neck and shoulder.
Durability: Reusable and machine-washable varieties are the best for this season.
Not at all! Even if you are gardening, cooking, walking your pet outside, or just surviving through April and May in India—these towels can help anyone to beat the heat.
As India witnesses numerous days crossing 45°C in April and May, cooling towels act as perfect survival gear. They keep your body temperature under control, reduce the risk of heatstroke, and make your workout recovery faster.
So the next time you lace up your shoes or roll out your yoga mat, don’t forget the cooling towel.
