Hear Me Out—Gym Scents Are Coming for Your Swanky Workout Gear

My Friday Pilates classes are marked by Byredo's Bal D'Afrique. Hot yoga, on the other hand, is undoubtedly Diptyque because who doesn't want to smell like a water lily during downward dog? My strength-training days are so Phlur-coded. Yes, I have a Rolodex of fragrances to wear during my workouts, and I'm not sorry about it!

True fragranceheads will understand—working up a sweat just isn't the same without a signature scent to set the vibe. Consider it the beauty lover's version of luxury activewear: Just as a stylish wrap top or stretchy headband can accent your athletic endeavors (and look just as cool outside of a workout class), an elevated gym scent can top off your workout aesthetic. Is it necessary? Of course not—neither is a stunning Celine Kettlebell, FWIW. But is it impossibly chic? Absolutely. Start scrolling to discover your own.

What is a gym scent?

Simple! Gym scents are merely fragrances you wear while working out. Some may consider the extra spritz a bit, well, extra, but I find it uplifting. (Although I am a beauty editor, so I may be biased here.) Paris-based master perfumer Isaac Sinclair agrees: "There's no reason scent can't be a part of your exercise experience like it is part of any other thing you do in your day," he tells me. After all, plenty of people slather on hair masks before heading to the gym, and let's not forget about the "gym lips" trend coined by makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell back in 2022. (The idea? A liner-balm combo that's so low-effort you could wear it to the gym.) "[It's] probably not for everyone, but for those that are into it, scent can be mobilizing, energizing, and create more of a ritual around the whole experience," Sinclair adds.

According to Sinclair, gym scents can even serve as psychological triggers to enhance your workouts. See, scent is intimately tied to memory and emotion, which means a certain whiff (be it bergamot, grapefruit, or what have you) can signal to your brain that it's time to get up and move—similar to how a vanilla- or caramel-infused aroma might conjure cozy feelings. " mentally prepare you for your workout, potentially enhancing motivation through scent association," he notes.

And besides, who doesn't love smelling incredible at all times? Receiving a "You smell so good" compliment is always nice, but at the gym? That feels like defying the odds and earning an extra gold star. By no means do I encourage wearing a fragrance for its compliment power alone, but, hey, it's a pretty good perk.

What fragrance notes are popular for the gym?

Smoky, seductive, gourmand situations have their time and place (time being after 9 p.m. and place being a dimly lit bar, perhaps), but for the gym, Sinclair advises keeping things fresh and light. "Crisp citrus notes, like lemon, bergamot, and grapefruit tend to work well, as do light herbal elements like mint or green tea. These refreshing notes can complement rather than compete with the exercise experience," he shares.

Quick chemistry lesson: Heat amplifies an aroma—hence why you apply perfume on your pulse points, where your blood vessels are more prominent and thus emit more warmth. Too much heat, however, can cause the fragrance to become even more concentrated. "So notes that are already intense at room temperature can become overwhelming during exercise," Sinclair adds. Your sweat also has a slightly different pH than your skin, so you might notice a beloved fragrance blooming unusually once your blood starts pumping. For these reasons, bright, airy elixirs will be your best bet.