Turkish Towels for Yoga, the Gym and the Sauna

A Turkish towel is one of the best towels to keep in a gym bag. It's light, folds flat, absorbs sweat and dries quickly between workouts. It also makes a soft cover for a yoga mat or a blanket for savasana, and it was made for the steam room: the peshtemal began as the towel of the Turkish hammam.

01 / At the gym.

A terry gym towel takes up half your bag and comes home damp. A Turkish towel folds to the size of a T-shirt and dries quickly, so it doesn't sit in your bag going sour. Use a Turkish hand towel for wiping down mid-workout, and a full-size towel for the shower after.

02 / On the yoga mat.

• Mat cover: a full-size Turkish towel, about 40 x 70 inches, covers most mats, which is handy on a shared studio mat.
• Savasana blanket: drape it over you for the final rest. It's light enough not to feel heavy, and warm enough to matter.
• Prop: fold it into a cushion under your knees or roll it into a bolster.

One honest note: a cotton towel isn't a non-slip grip towel. For very sweaty hot yoga flows, use it for savasana and the shower, and keep a grip towel on the mat.

03 / In the sauna and steam room.

This is where the Turkish towel was born. The peshtemal was the traditional towel of the hammam, the Turkish bath, worn as a wrap in the steam. It's still the best towel for the job: light enough to wear, absorbent, and quick to dry afterward. Read more about the history of the peshtemal.

04 / At the spa, or making one at home.

Pair a Turkish towel with a light Turkish cotton robe and you have a spa day anywhere. Our spa bathroom guide shows how to bring that feeling home.

05 / Our picks for an active day.

• Essential towel: our light everyday towel, in about 40 colors, so yours is easy to spot in the locker room.
• Waffle towel: a honeycomb weave with a little extra texture.
• Essential Bathrobe: light cotton, with its own drawstring bag for the gym or spa.

Every Riviera towel is 100% Turkish cotton, pre-washed, yarn-dyed and certified to OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 (certificate no. 309234). Wash it often, skip the fabric softener, and it will only get softer. Here's our care guide.

FAQ

Are Turkish towels good gym towels?

Yes. Turkish towels are light, fold flat, absorb sweat and dry quickly, so they take up little room in a gym bag and don't stay damp between workouts.

Can I use a Turkish towel for yoga?

Yes, as a mat cover, a savasana blanket or a folded prop. A cotton towel is not a non-slip grip towel, so for very sweaty hot yoga, keep a grip towel on the mat.

Is a Turkish towel good for the sauna?

Yes. The Turkish towel, or peshtemal, was originally made for the hammam, the Turkish steam bath. It's light enough to wear as a wrap, absorbent and quick to dry.

Pick one up at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara or call 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95, and 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean we all love, with $76,439.30 donated so far.