Planet Fitness...do you tan before or after your workout?

Falling2Grace

I just joined PF and got a black card.
I was wondering if you tan before working out, or after?
I dont want to be all sweaty at the start of the workout, from tanning...of course i really dont want to have to work out, then have to shower to tan afterwards (i have two babies under the age of a year and a half at home, and time is of the essence!).

Also, does PF provide the eye protection or do i need to purchase my own?

I have stretchmarks from Postpartum hypothyroid and its very upsetting to me. I know there are creams and other things but they just do not work (these are from my first baby, so if they were going to work, they would have by now!). I know that tanning can at least help hide these. So thats why im interested.

***I am aware of the risks associated with tanning. I am not interested in hearing about them. Thank you.***

Daytonsmommy

When I used to go to tanning beds (don't anymore), I would usually tan then work out. I would get sweaty in the bed which didn't bother me going into my work out. I will say though, if you're looking for a healthy tanning alternative St. Tropez tanning mousse is AWESOME.

krissypea79

I tan occasionally before a special occasion or vacation, and normally I do it after my workouts because I find it relaxing. It's really hard for me to stay motivated when I relaxed for 15 minutes in the heat

MB_Positif

Tanning has never worked for me, but I would suggest doing it before you work out. I think it wouldn't be a great use of time to shower before getting in the bed!

nytdreamer80

I always tan before. And no, they dont provide. They do have some for sale though (although I am not sure on price). I did try tanning a few times afterwards and I Was just sooo hot and sweaty that I Dont think any of my lotion stayed on.

Abells

I used to tan after I worked out -- you clean the bed before and after you work anyhow. You have to bring your own eye protection. I would use vitamin E on your stretch marks

krissypea79

When I used to go to tanning beds (don't anymore), I would usually tan then work out. I would get sweaty in the bed which didn't bother me going into my work out. I will say though, if you're looking for a healthy tanning alternative St. Tropez tanning mousse is AWESOME.

I don't make a habit out of tanning, I do it 5 or so times a year, but I haven't been able to find any self-tanner that I like - I am going to try that one out, thanks!

omma_to_3

Tanning makes the stretch marks stand out MORE not less. The stretch mark itself doesn't tan well so as the surrounding skin gets darker it stands out more.

Crying_In_Color

I usually tan after my work out but it depends on how busy it is. The one I go to only has 4 beds. I tan 2-3x a week to treat my Psoriasis. It's the best way to keep your skin clear and a better solution then using the steroids.

blethenam

Tanning makes the stretch marks stand out MORE not less. The stretch mark itself doesn't tan well so as the surrounding skin gets darker it stands out more.

I started tanning after I had my son and my stretch marks became much less noticeable. Same with a friend of mine who had stretch marks from weight gain and loss. I always tan after my work out. Nice to relax afterwards. Just sanitize sanitize sanitize. And you can pick up a pair of tanning goggles at WalMart for just a couple bucks.

bunnysone

tanning beds in Australia have just about been made illegal (some states have done so and others are soon to follow) due to it being proven they cause skin cancer.
I would advise to flick the whole idea of tanning beds and go for a spray tan instead.

Ivyzmama

back when I did it at another chain they sold me the eye protectors, but since you're asking, I might as well tell you that they did not protect my eyes well enough - I wore them but held an arm over my eyes the whole time as well. And I never even wear sunglasses in regular life (since I have prescription regular glasses & it's such a pain to switch to prescription sunglasses, not to mention the expense of prescription sunglasses). So I recommend that you bring your darkest sunglasses to wear on top of the eye protection they give you, or a dark cloth/bandana to wrap around your eyes on top of the eye protectors. (& you can use the cloth to wipe up your sweat, too.) I always showered after tanning & after working out & I just couldn't manage to combine them. Each of them is too sweaty. & I second what the other poster said - after tanning, the heat made me want to go to sleep. I was way too lethargic to work out after tanning.

twinlaced

Don't like tans. I wear 100 spf everyday, and have for a long, long time. Tanned about two weeks for a prom in high school and had to get a skin cancer cut out of my eyelid. Nopee not for me.

MissVCI

I am now thinking of the Jersey shore: GTL... Gym- Tan-Laundry

jillybeanruns

I usually tan after my work out but it depends on how busy it is. The one I go to only has 4 beds. I tan 2-3x a week to treat my Psoriasis. It's the best way to keep your skin clear and a better solution then using the steroids.

Except it's not. You can get skin cancer from tanning beds. I had a friend's mom (who I was very close with and like a second mother to me) tan for her awful Psoriasis, she got skin cancer and then died from a brain tumour. I urge you to look into other options, steroids aren't the best option, but tanning beds aren't safe.

Meliklotz

I am a black card holder to.
I tan either before or after, I prefer after as my "REWARD" for kicking it harder than the last time.
You have to buy your own eyewear 5.00 at the counter and buy the $40.00 Worship Me bronzer. It keeps your skin super soft.
and be sure to HYDRATE afterwards!!
Enjoy!

NewFitKeri

The PF I workout at DOES provide eye protection-they have to it's the law. I will tan whenever a bed is available..yes it can be a pain to be working out then go get undressed and tan, then redressed and tan-you do what you gotta do. As for stretch marks we have found that it helps them and acne as well...

Il_DaniD_lI

Tanning makes the stretch marks stand out MORE not less. The stretch mark itself doesn't tan well so as the surrounding skin gets darker it stands out more.

^^this is very true. I have the slightest stretch marks on my side from my daughter and they are only noticeable when I tan, they turn white. I didn't even know I had them until I went tanning. I just use spray tan in that area to cover them.

JStarnes

Tanning makes the stretch marks stand out MORE not less. The stretch mark itself doesn't tan well so as the surrounding skin gets darker it stands out more.

Mine are way less noticable when I have a tan. Not everyone is the same.

OP - there is hope :flowerforyou: like you, mine were from my first kid so I'm positve no cream is going to help, he's 5 now and I've tried them all. :laugh:

And I've never tanned after...something about blood being at the surface of your skin after a workout...more susceptible to burn? Idk, I could be making that up lol I've heard it or read it somewhere. It may not be true, but it was enough to keep me away. I tan before. :happy:

Stagezz

I tan first!

sailorsiren13

I usually tan after my work out but it depends on how busy it is. The one I go to only has 4 beds. I tan 2-3x a week to treat my Psoriasis. It's the best way to keep your skin clear and a better solution then using the steroids.

I had Psoriasis for years and it made it go away and never come back! i also have some serious stretch marks left from my 16 yo tanning just helps them eventually fade is all. When i lose all this fat will have to have a tummy tuck and then no more stretch marks. Sorry off subj. Get your own eye wear that way you know where it has been tan lotion. i would go after the gym when i tanned only because they weren't in the same place and it was relaxing.

SeasideOasis

Don't like tans. I wear 100 spf everyday, and have for a long, long time. Tanned about two weeks for a prom in high school and had to get a skin cancer cut out of my eyelid. Nopee not for me.

I am sorry this happen to you...

However, PURE coincidence in your case. I was born and RAISED on the beaches in Florida. Tanned most of my teenage and early 20s. Stopped now because I would refer a 'real' tan if I will be tan at all - Spray tan for special events if anything. Never had a problem with any sort of skin cancer problems for most of my life that I've spent in the sun.

Meliklotz

The PF I workout at DOES provide eye protection-they have to it's the law. I will tan whenever a bed is available..yes it can be a pain to be working out then go get undressed and tan, then redressed and tan-you do what you gotta do. As for stretch marks we have found that it helps them and acne as well...

Yeah they provide ones that other people put on..........be careful........pink eye is VERY contageous! Better to shell out a few dollars for your own!

yoovie

After!!!

When all the blood is pumping and close to the surface - may be an urban legend- but it works better for me- also I love feeling the air blow over me while I stay motionless in there after a crazy workout- feeling my heart rate come down- it feels like a reward for all the hard work Ive done!!!

omma_to_3

Tanning makes the stretch marks stand out MORE not less. The stretch mark itself doesn't tan well so as the surrounding skin gets darker it stands out more.

I started tanning after I had my son and my stretch marks became much less noticeable. Same with a friend of mine who had stretch marks from weight gain and loss. I always tan after my work out. Nice to relax afterwards. Just sanitize sanitize sanitize. And you can pick up a pair of tanning goggles at WalMart for just a couple bucks.

Stretch marks become less noticeable with time so it's hard to say that tanning was what improved them vs. just time passing.

Sadly, I have more stretch marks covering my entire body than I care to think about and I avoid the sun.

Here's an online source that says tanning doesn't work well: http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/beautiful/stretch_marks.html#

yoovie

I think that since we all have completely different skin- we all react completely differently to tanning.

My stretch marks disappear when I tan, because the stretched skin tans easily. My BFF's stretch marks get much darker than the unstretched parts of her skin- and my roommate's stretch marks are the only thing that DONT tan.

So to tell someone that tanning will make their stretch marks more noticeable is just an uneducated guess that their skin will do the same thing yours does.

Annette8479

It doesn't matter whether you tan before or after, but I was told that you can get a deeper tan if you tan after since your pores are open after you've been sweating. I don't know how true that is, but since it makes no difference, I do it after just in case it's true.

JStarnes

After!!!

When all the blood is pumping and close to the surface - may be an urban legend- but it works better for me- also I love feeling the air blow over me while I stay motionless in there after a crazy workout- feeling my heart rate come down- it feels like a reward for all the hard work Ive done!!!

Never thought about it that way...that sounded wonderful :laugh:

student94

Whether or not you tan is a very personal choice I think people should be able to make for themselves. That said, I get a tan every summer due to going to the beach regularly. My acne improves as does my eczema. I have stretch marks (around my hips from puberty) and they look white and absolutely glow against tanned skin.I don't mind them too much, but if my goal was to conceal them I would avoid exposing them to any UV rays.

Falling2Grace

thanks everyone!

I think i will purchase my own goggles...i dont fancy pink eye lol

as for stretchmarks, it does help mine, for the exact reason yours get worsened. my currents ones are this dark-brownish color. when i tan they lighten up to a more skin color. and its not bc of them lightening up on their own. thats just how my skin reacts- stretchmarks become less noticeable.

acne is ALWAYS less when i tan.my skin is way more clear.

I have "chicken skin" on my arms. My dermatologist actually told me to tan to help. and it did clear it up.

DWPedsRN

The kiddo in your pic is adorable, and so are you even with fair skin! As for tanners, I've been pleasantly surprised by the Jergen's Natural Glow body lotion. Use it every day in place of your regular moisturizer, and you develop a more natural looking tan over 4-7 days. Just be careful around the feet not to apply too much!

And, although you don't want to hear tips on the cancer risks of tanning beds or natural sunshine, you really should think twice about it. Look at your adorable kiddos and imagine taking their mom away from them when they need you the most! It's just not worth it! Just like smokers don't want to hear that smoking causes lung cancer... ignoring the facts doesn't make them go away!