Sweating isn’t Cool

There’s this idea out there that sweating is a good thing. A lot of people feel good about the idea of working up a sweat. It’s always very annoying when I see or hear people mashing (making stuff up or running off with a guess).

Here is the medical definition and explanation of what sweating is, does, and effects. No one looks this stuff up or bothers to check on whatever claims they hear from their friends and  gym peers.

Sweating or perspiration happens when our body overheats. Sweat is released to help us cool down. It doesn’t mean you’re going to lose weight or that you’re doing a fantastic workout. Walking around Florida during the summer will get many people sweating. They’re not getting a good workout, are they? At the same time, if you do a workout that causes you to sweat and make you feel good, try that exercise at 40F and see if you sweat. Does that mean your workout was less effective?

Sweating can also impair performance. Since your body is using water and salt to cool itself down, it’s taking it away from your organs. If you don’t replace the lost minerals and electrolytes, your performance will suffer in anything you’re doing. If you’re weight lifting or running, you may fail before you’ve reached your true muscular limit.  For sports, training under dehydrated conditions can effect motor skills and the ability to perform/learn effectively.

Sweating doesn’t help with weight loss either. Most people have weight loss goals to lose fat. While sweating does drop a pound or two off of you, it doesn’t change the way you look or your body fat percentage. You just lose water sweating, which isn’t a good thing. The water will be replaced anyway when you drink again. Sweating isn’t an effective weight loss toll.

In fact, sweating while exercising or performing sports means you’re over heating and measures should be taken. Open a window, take off a layer, drink cold water, turn on a fan or anything that will prevent your body from over heating.