The 10-Second Skin Check Your Teammates Count On
Brian Armer
Marcus was already reaching for the practice-room door when he remembered. He stopped beside the bench, put his bag down, and checked his skin before pulling on his training gear. Hands, elbows, knees, shins, feet, the places his gear rubbed. Nothing new needed attention.
Across the bench, Owen was wrestling with a shin guard. “You checking for spare parts?” Owen asked. “Still missing a decent left hook.” “If you find one, lend it to me.”
Marcus laughed. Owen was new enough to the gym that he still apologized whenever someone offered to partner with him. Last Thursday, he’d asked Marcus three times whether he wanted a more experienced partner. Three times, Marcus had said no.
Now Owen glanced toward the room, where everyone was gathering. “Do you always do that?” “The check? Before I train.” “I thought you just got changed and went in.” “I used to.”
Through the doorway, their coach was helping someone adjust a glove. Another teammate was moving a water bottle out of the walkway. “When I started here,” Marcus said, “everyone made room for me. I figure I can take a moment to think about them before I walk in.”
Owen looked down at his shin guard. Then he set it aside. “I’m going to check, too.” Marcus sat back on the bench. “You don’t have to wait,” Owen said. “I know.”
After his check, Owen reached for his Infusion skin spray. Marcus took out his bottle, too. They sprayed their skin, then finished putting on their gear.
By the lockers, their two other training partners were doing the same. Owen tucked his bottle away and stood. Marcus held the door for him.
They walked through the door together. Their coach pointed toward the mats. “Partners.” Owen turned to Marcus. “You sure?” Marcus raised his gloves. “Still missing that left hook. You might be the man to find it.” Owen grinned and stepped forward.
Nobody had applauded the small pause outside. Nobody needed to. The person standing across from Marcus was reason enough.
Who trusts you with their next round? Bring that same thoughtfulness into your before-and-after routine with Zombie Infusion, mixed as directed into a skin spray. Its natural ingredients bring antimicrobial chemistry into the care you take for yourself and the people you train beside.