For the past 6 months or so, I have been consistently back in the gym. As I am currently unemployed in the traditional sense, my focus has been primarily on finding a job, and my health. From my old days of training mixed martial arts, I still have quite a few rash guards. I have been regularly wearing them during long runs, and long cardio sessions. Be it on the elliptical cross trainer, step class, kickboxing, etc.
One day I decided to just wear a regular shirt without the rash guard underneath. I did my scheduled weight lifting session, followed by my abs, and then my hour long cardio block on the elliptical. That evening when I jumped into my hot bath to soak, the water made my nipples sting. It really burned so I checked them out. It appeared to me that the skin was “rubbed off” from the friction of training. I know from general knowledge that this is something runners often experience, but painful nipples from the elliptical? Geez!
I wondered why this happened on this specific day after so many months of training with no issues? My chosen wardrobe choices didn’t click right away, but sometime later I realized that I always wore a rash guard when I did a long cardio session. That’s when I knew that even prolonged elliptical use can hurt your nipples in the worst of ways.
So, my advice to you folks, if you value your nipples, pick up a couple of underarmour, or whatever brand you like, fitted rash guard shirts. They fit snug against your body, and protect you from the chafing. In fact, I also wear those as underwear when I train. This protects your legs, butt, and private parts from the same fate as my nipples experienced!
Do you have any advice to offer us when it comes to training? Please leave a comment and keep the conversation going! Also, join us on facebook and twitter, and don’t forget to join our mailing list to get more great fitness info!
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens. Please take note of a post’s date. The views I express here are subject to change and evolving as I grow and learn.
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