Iron and Ink: 9 Guidelines for Your Post-Tattoo Workout

You finally got that sick new ink. You’re feeling fresh. You’re feeling fine. And you’re ready to do a little showing off. There’s really no better place to showcase tattoos than the gym. You stroll past the front desk in your favorite fitted tee, tattoo on full display for all the regulars to see. Cue the “oohs” and “ahhhs.”

There’s really only one problem: that sweet new ink you’re sporting hasn’t fully healed. What’s a gym rat to do? Don’t sweat it. While post-tattoo workouts may look a little different for a short time, there’s no reason you need to lose your streak. So, grab your gym bag and check out our list of guidelines for your next post-tattoo workout.

1. Ask Your Artist

First things first, have a chat with your artist to see what they recommend. They know your skin and tattoo better than anyone on the internet, which means they can give you a tailored recommendation that will ensure proper healing.

2. Give it Time

Remember that your new tattoo is basically an open wound. And even if you’re one of the blessed few who can go under the needle without batting an eye, it’s still a pretty traumatic ordeal for your body. It’ll need some good old fashioned R and R when all’s said and done.

Don’t worry, you probably won’t need to be down for the next six weeks. A day or two should be plenty. But when you do go back to exercising, take it slow. Easing into things will allow you to keep an eye out for any possible reactions and give your new ink the time it needs to heal without complications.

3. Wear Loose, Breathable Clothing

Trust us, we love our yoga pants, sports bras, and fitted tees. But you’ll need to avoid anything that will rub against your new ink, causing friction to the wound. If you really want to protect your rad new tatt, clothing made from breathable materials and flows loosely around the inked area is a must. Many mens and womens tattoo shirts are perfect.

4. Go No-Contact

When you’re sporting a not-quite-healed tatt, it’s crucial to go no-contact. No, we don’t mean with your crazy ex (although, that’s probably not a bad idea, either). Limit your exercise to activities that won’t run the risk of harming your healing skin. Avoid contact sports of any kind, such as football, basketball, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu for at least a few days. You’ll also want to choose your equipment carefully. A kettlebell or barbell might rub against the area.

5. Don’t Stretch It

If your sweet new ink is on your leg, try to lay off the lunges for a while. Any exercises that could cause excess stretching or pulling to the skin under or near your tattoo should be avoided until your tattoo is healed.

6. Drink Up

Whether you’re hitting the gym every day or laying low for a while, hydrating before and after receiving a new tattoo is crucial to fast and effective healing. So, if you’re going to be engaging in anything especially strenuous, you’ll want to up your intake even more.

7. Keep it Dry

Submerging unhealed tattoos in water (or any other liquid, for that matter) is a huge no-no. This means steering clear of the pool, the hot tub, and even those ice baths. And while you may be able to return to working out after a day or two, this rule is one that should be followed for several weeks. Check with your tattoo artist for a specific timeline, and make sure your tattoo is fully healed before jumping back into any kind of submersion activity.

8. Avoid Sun Exposure

If you’re one of those rain or shine runners, we applaud you. However, a healing tattoo should be shielded from sun exposure to avoid harmful UV rays that could cause damage to the wounded area. So, before you head out for that run, make sure your ink is properly covered. Tattoo clothing brands offer a variety of options from tees to hoodies for colder days. Or, opt for a scenic run on the treadmill.

9. Hold Off on Heat

Extreme heat can cause some pretty serious damage to an unhealed wound. We all love a good post-tattoo soak in the hot tub or a steamy sauna session, but it’s a good idea to wait out the healing process before exposing your ink to those temperatures.

Bonus Tip: Keep it Clean

No matter how clean the gym, we promise you that the germs have not been completely exterminated. Science is just not there yet. It’s crucial to protect your tattoo from coming into contact with workout equipment in order to keep it germ-free. Not only that, you’ll want to keep your own sweat out of the area as much as possible. Clean your tattoo after each workout and follow any kind of strenuous activity that might have caused you to break a sweat.

When in Doubt, Play it Safe.

We get it–you don’t want to skip a day. While it can seem like a pretty big bummer to have to alter your workout routine after getting a tattoo, we promise that the pros far outweigh the cons. Better to take it easy now than endure a nasty infection later, right? But, there is a bright side. Folks who are physically fit and exercise regularly typically experience faster healing and recovery. So, give your new art some time to heal, and you’ll be back on top in no time at all.

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