Marketing manager, 34, creates workout towels that DON'T have to be washed after every use - and he is selling $1,200 worth a week

Marc Coleman launched Aurora Athletica with his wife in mid-June 2020
The couple have created an antimicrobial sweat towel to be used as the gym
It doesn't pick up germs from equipment in the same way regular towels do
Despite launching during COVID-19 the business is booming in sales

By Matilda Rudd For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:37 BST, 19 July 2020 | Updated: 02:39 BST, 19 July 2020

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Marc Coleman (pictured) launched Aurora Athletica in mid-June 2020

An Australian marketing manager has ditched the corporate world to launch a special type of sweat towel that you don't have to wash after every use, and business is booming.

Marc Coleman, 34, and his wife came up with the idea for Aurora Athletica in 2019 after starting their joint 'health kick' and increasing their time spent in group exercise classes - and now it's turning over $1,200 a week.

At the time the pair from Geelong in Victoria were using hand towels to wipe away sweat, quickly realising how unhygienic they were draped over dirty gym equipment and on the floor of a workout studio.

'We wanted a towel that was antibacterial, absorbent, durable and soft against our skin,' Marc told FEMAIL.

'A towel that we could leave in the back seat of our car or at the bottom of our gym bag and remain fresh the next day and it needed to look great. When we realised that nothing in the market came close we decided to create our own.'

Marc had spent a decade working as a senior manager in sales and marketing at the Holden head office, but in late 2019 when he was made redundant - the company have ceased operations in Australia - he decided to pursue their creative project.

And even though they went to market in mid-June during a global pandemic, customers have been loving the final product.

Even though they went to market in mid-June during a global pandemic, customers have been loving the final product

'As the 100% organic cotton towels remain fresh for longer, they don't require as regular washing... meaning you don't have to worry if you forget to put it in the wash after your workout,' Marc said

The towels - which come in three colours - are treated with Polygiene 'Stays Fresh' technology which uses low concentrations of recycled silver salt which have natural antimicrobial properties that prohibit the growth and spread of bacteria, mould and fungi.

This means there isn't a build up of bacteria from sweat which would normally cause a towel to 'smell'.

'As the 100% organic cotton towels remain fresh for longer, they don't require as regular washing... meaning you don't have to worry if you forget to put it in the wash after your workout,' Marc said.

'I do boxing and HIIT training daily and can say that the towel still smells fresh after my sweaty sessions... and I don't feel the guilt of having to wash it daily,' one woman said of the product

It's welcome news for those returning to the gym after the COVID-19 lockdown period

It's welcome news for those returning to the gym after the COVID-19 lockdown period.

'I do boxing and HIIT training daily and can say that the towel still smells fresh after my sweaty sessions... and I don't feel the guilt of having to wash it daily,' one woman said of the product.

'These towels are really absorbent, thick and wash well. I've just made my second order because I've thrown all my other workout towels out,' said another.

'I think that people are now a lot more conscious and aware of their hygiene,' Marc said

'I think that people are now a lot more conscious and aware of their hygiene,' Marc said.

'As a society we need to be more aware of our surroundings and maintaining higher standards of hygiene in all aspects of our life. This is especially important for areas of higher risk such as gyms or any type of fitness studio.'

The brand is currently working on a few more designs and also looking to expanding into other fitness accessories that have a high risk of coming into contact with germs, such as yoga mats.