When I ran the Teodoro 10K, I encountered a sensory element that you may not normally associate with running: periodic clouds of perfume.
Now, liberal use of perfume, cologne, and other forms of personal scent are very common in Puerto Rico. I was all ready to chalk this up to a cultural thing and let it ride. Until I stumbled across a Refinery29 article shortly after discussing the use of perfume during public workouts generally which seemed to cosign the trend. And I gotta say, that gave me some pause. Why? Let’s talk about it!
WHO’S WEARING PERFUME TO WORK OUT?
The article in question is titled “Gym Perfume Is Having A Moment, But Not Everyone’s Happy About It.” Feel free to read the article in full, but I’ll also sum up the general points for you:
1 Some people like to wear perfume to the gym, to the extent that they 2 have different scents for different exercises and 3 yes, it’s a “full, committed dousing” because 4 using perfume or cologne boosts their confidence and locks in their routine through the strong connection of smell and memory, which 5 improves their mindset for their workout. 6 Certain corners of social media are dedicated to the discussion and curation of gym scents.
However, 7 not everybody is thrilled about it. It is broadly agreed that 8 overpowering spritzes are not polite, especially considering that 9 the heat of your skin amplifies and changes fragrance and 10 as many workouts induce heavy breathing, that’s a lot to inhale all at once.*
* And if you’re thinking yeah, breathing could be a problem – please hold that thought.
Therefore, 11 the key to mindful perfume use is keeping it light and lowkey, but 12 as long as you do that, it’s totally cool to wear perfume to the gym. Don’t even worry about it.
CASH GRAB OR HOBBYIST PERSPECTIVE?
Were I feeling particularly cynical I might argue that the whole reason the article endorses workout perfume is to, well, sell more perfume. Which is probably not untrue – the article helpfully provides affiliate links for several bottles. But I also know that many cultures generally and people individually are genuinely perfume and cologne enthusiasts. To them it is a hobby, a simple pleasure, even a part of their identity. From certain angles, this might look like a “don’t yuck someone else’s yum” proposition.
And yet there are other aspects to explore. Refinery29 did not see fit to hit upon a few points, so let’s expand on them now.
HOW ABOUT WEARING PERFUME WHILE RUNNING?
This particular article specifically addresses wearing scent in public gyms or fitness classes. They don’t technically mention running, and one could argue that this is because the situation is different. You could claim that people in a gym are not locked into proximity. If someone is wearing perfume and another person doesn’t like that, they can simply give that person a wide berth. This is sort of true? Although it’s dependent on the size of the gym, the strength of the smell, and the amount of workout overlap.
The argument breaks down a bit in the case of fitness classes and running. Well, running races or on a treadmill/track. I guess if you’re just running outside, you’ll briefly pass each other and be done with it. But in a race or on a treadmill, you are to varying degrees stuck, at least for a time. In races possibly less so, but that’s dependent on the course, how packed the field is, and how close you are in speed. I have on more the one occasion noticed when looking through my copious runDisney photos the same people showing up around me across multiple miles of pictures.
And if any one of them had a scent I didn’t care for, that would be off-putting. But it’s more than that.
WHAT ABOUT SAFETY CONCERNS?
I was somewhat bemused to find that while personal preference was a topic of conversation, at no point did anyone in the Refinery29 article mention anything about safety. You can bet my Instagram poll respondents did, though. I asked them what they thought about wearing a perfume during a race, and the answers showed some unsurprising trends.
First, I should say that a small minority, while not ardent, did express mild enthusiasm for the idea. One noted that smelling perfume is better than sweat in tight quarters like corrals. Another said they like to guarantee that they smell good in the same situation.
Meanwhile, the largest percentage of responses were some variation of “No” and “Why?”
And then there was the opposite end of the spectrum: for those that suffer from pulmonary problems like asthma, perfume is not simply an aroma you may or may not enjoy; it can be downright dangerous.
Interestingly enough, when I circled back to the article a few weeks after my initial read to pull some quotes, I discovered that R29’s audience largely wasn’t on board either.
Their comments ranged from questions of civility to the same exact point: for people with asthma, allergies, etc., your workout perfume could be the catalyst for your neighbor’s medical event. Whether some of the phrasing is a bit melodramatic is a valid debate, but the consensus is clear.
SO DO PERFUME & COLOGNE TRIGGER BREATHING PROBLEMS?
I myself am mildly asthmatic. Lucky for me, my primary triggers are dust and animal dander, with either intense or prolonged exposure. Heavy perfume may take me aback, yet it hasn’t historically caused me any problems with physical activity.
HOWEVER. I HAVE had asthma attacks, and they are – prepare to be shocked – NOT GOOD under the best of circumstances, whereby I mean just standing there I feel like my lungs can’t fully inflate. I cannot imagine running under those conditions. Specifically, I’m pretty sure I could not run under those conditions.
Of course, my experience is purely anecdotal. Far better to collect some professional medical opinions, no?
From the Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America: “Strong perfumes and fragrances are common asthma triggers that can cause asthma symptoms… In addition to asthma symptoms, strong odors can also cause nasal congestion and trouble breathing through the nose.”
From the Centers for Disease Control: “A new analysis of fragrances and work-related asthma found that perfume was the ninth most common exposure reported… The report also found that almost a quarter of the fragrance cases were new-onset asthma, meaning that workers reported no prior history of asthma.”
From the National Institutes of Health: “Fragranced consumer products, such as cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and personal care products, can emit a range of air pollutants and trigger adverse health effects.”
ARE PEOPLE WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS RUNNING?
Perfume enthusiasts may wish to claim that anyone with a breathing problem shouldn’t be running in the first place. For people who suffer from chronic and/or severe respiratory difficulties, that’s a question for their doctor. But a lot of breathing difficulties don’t show up without a trigger. Look at me – I run all the time! I’ve never had an issue because my trigger is dust and animal dander, neither of which anyone is likely to shove in my face while I’m pounding the pavement.
Likewise, as long as people whose trigger is perfume don’t encounter any, they’re free to enjoy all the health and wellness benefits running provides. The problem only arises if someone with heavy perfume shows up.
You might be thinking: wait. Perfume and cologne are two common sources of added scent, but they aren’t the only sources. What about particularly strong deodorants, detergents, air fresheners, etc.? Well, frankly, we should probably be avoiding those too in race situations. If you use a scented anti-odor detergent for your running clothes, make sure you give them plenty of time to air out before race day. Keep deodorant application light. Have a friend give you a quick sniff test before you roll out the door.
I do occasionally see people claim in this and other cases that no one is owed consideration in public spaces. I disagree. Shouldn’t we be trying our best to help our fellow runners stay safe? Know better, do better, etc.?
BUT WHAT IF YOU REALLY LOVE WEARING PERFUME WHILE RUNNING?
Okay, look. I will be the first to tell you that very few issues are black and white. Everything has nuance. And while I’m not saying that’s not the case here, I do think there’s only one way to be fully considerate and safe: don’t wear perfume in a race. It could really ruin a fellow runner’s day – or worse. I know for some people perfume is a part of their identity, but I’m confident you can forego it for one day.
All right, all right, I’ll propose one compromise. Maybe you could spray a bandana or something and keep it in your pocket? Pull it out of a little sniff and shove it right back in? There’s still some risk there, but it would at least be mitigated.
Besides, as a few of my aforementioned poll respondents pointed out, you’ll more than likely sweat it all off pretty quickly anyway. Perfume is expensive! Why waste it on a race when you could wear it to dinner afterward? Although maybe stick to just one or two spritzes. As Refinery29 themselves admitted, there’s no need for your perfume to enter a room before you do. Your fellow diners (and runners!) will thank you.
P.S. All of the above notwithstanding, I am a lawyer’s daughter and my floor is always open to the defense should you care to play devil’s advocate. Or I think the kids say devil’s avocado? Or was that just Tracy Jordan?
Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!