Body Ready: Phil Dalhausser's Beach Kit

Photo: Getty Images for Gillette

Phil Dalhausser has been called "the most dominant beach volleyball player in the United States, if not the world" and won gold for the U.S. beach volley team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Now the 6-foot-9 athlete (sorry guys, he's married!) is getting ready for a new round of competition, and shares his preparation routine for the beach -- two years away from his big challenge in Rio de Janeiro:

"I'm just ending my training season and entering competition season," Dalhausser says, "so I have to get my body ready. I have to look good: I make my living with my shirt off, and with people watching 15 away from the court, I can feel a bit self-conscious. My workout consists of some cardio training, a lot of stretching, and exercizing with a foam roller."

36'' Foam Roller Deluxe by Stott Pilates, $49.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Body razor
"I've been cursed with a lot of body hair, so before a competition, I will shave my back, my shoulders, and my chest hair with a razor. I have hair creeping from my shoulders down to my upper arm, so I include those as well. I use body wash to shave in the shower. It's great to prevent razor bumps, which I get on my face and body because I have sensitive skin. I'm bald, so after my shower, I shave my face and my head with a separate razor."

Body Razor by Gillette, $8.99, at Drugstore.com;
2-in-1 Wash + Shave Body Wash by Gillette, $4.99, 16 fl oz, at Soap.com.

Lotion
"After shaving, I also use a lotion with coconut oil. It's excellent for your skin."

Soothing Aftershave Salve by VMV Hypoallergenics, $26, 4 fl oz, at VMVHypoallergenics.com.

Aluminum-Free Deodorant
"I don't usually get too sticky, but some of the other guys sweat a lot. I've been toying around with aluminum-free deodorants, they seem to be healthier."

From left: Alcohol Free Deodorant by Anthony Logistics, $25, 2.5 oz;
Essentials Natural Deodorant (Unscented) by Arm & Hammer, $6, 2.5 oz;
Eucalyptus Deodorant by Malin+Goetz, $18, 2.6 oz.

Sunscreen
"I apply SPF 50 sunscreen, even though I wear a hat and sunglasses when I compete. The most important thing is to re-apply sunscreen regularly. It's a bit annoying, but you've got do it. Don't forget to put it on your head, and on the back of your ears -- they can get bad sunburns, too."

Anthelios 50 Mineral Sunscreen by La Roche-Posay, $33.50, 1.7 fl oz, at LaRoche-Posay.us.