Does Sweat Define Your Workout?
If I DON’T SWEAT, IS IT STILL A GOOD WORKOUT?
We’ve all been there. Asking ourselves, “do I train hard enough? I’m not profusely sweating.”
For some people, they use the amount of their own perspiration as a barometer of the success or intensity of a workout.
Well, that’s not necessarily the case. Here’s why.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF SWEAT IN A WORKOUT?
Sweating is simply your body’s way of regulating body temperature. It can vary within each individual.
Of course, there are some environmental factors such as external temperature and humidity that play a big role. And some factors that are just there because of you being you, like genetics and stress levels.
Here are other factors that can determine the amount of sweat produced:
Body Size: Bigger people generate more heat, hence more sweat.
Age: The body generally becomes less tolerant to heat as you age. Sweat glands change with age, reducing the body’s ability to cool itself effectively.
Muscle Mass: Muscle mass produces more heat than fat. So even if two people weigh the same, their sweat rate will differ based on their percentage of body mass.
Health status: Several health conditions and life stages like having the cold, flu, mental health conditions, or hormone fluctuations can impact how much you sweat.
Fitness level: Individuals with higher fitness levels may sweat more than their-less fit counterparts. However, if the two are performing the same task, the less-fit person may sweat more because they must expend more energy to perform the same task.
SO, IS SWEAT REALLY A WAY TO MEASURE FITNESS?
Yes and no.
You should use it to determine how proficient you’re becoming with a workout and certain type of movement. Use it to evaluate yourself regarding if you’re stronger, more stable, or more mobile with the same movement patterns over time, and not how successful your training session was.
Paradoxically, the more proficient you become with a certain movement pattern, you may find yourself sweating less, even though you’re able to push your intensity level more. Over time, your body will adapt to the challenge.
It’s very possible to start off finding a new training session or movement pattern really difficult, resulting in a sweaty mess. But that may simply be a function of your body not being use to that type of activation.
ARE THERE UPSIDES TO SWEATING BESIDES COOLING OFF?
From a fitness perspective, not really.
Though it’s true that sweating can go hand in hand with many beneficial things about exercise, and that thermoregulation is a critical part of recovery and endurance, do not use it to determine if your session was successful or not.
Base your workout results on your own intensity level and proper progressions within your training program. So, no, you do not have to look like Michael J. Fox playing high school basketball in Teen Wolf, to have a great workout.
Need help in creating the proper training program for you? We’re here. It’s what we do and our 14-day 360 is a great place to start!
Remember … GIVE YOUR BODY WHAT IT NEEDS, WHEN IT NEEDS IT!
Tony Muyco III, CSCS, PPSC, PPSC*KB, CFSC
Functional Elements Training and Nutrition
TRAIN FOR LIFE
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