Does sweating cause you problems when you exercise? Sweat can definitely be annoying. Fortunately sweating during exercise is rarely a sign that something is wrong. In fact it's usually a sign that our bodies are working well. Isn't that nice? You can think of that as you wipe the sweat out of your eyes so you can see the big ol' streak of sweat gracing your workout mat or equipment. You can also use the following tips to make sweating less of a problem:
1. Shift Your Attitude About Sweat
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Some people are embarassed that they sweat. But sweat is your body's cooling system. You need that when you exercise. The more efficient your cooling system, the more you sweat. So be proud. For most people, sweating is a good, healthy, normal thing - even if you sweat more than other people.
2. Hydrate!
When you sweat you lose water. The best thing you can do is to go into a workout well hydrated and replenish the water you lose when you finish your workout.
You also lose a little bit of minerals, like sodium (salt), when you sweat. If you sweat a whole lot doing heavy exercise you might need an electrolyte mineral replenishing sports drink, but most people overestimate their need for those. Pilates, for example is a moderate strength training activity. Rarely would a Pilates workout generate the need for anything more than normal food and water.
3. Wear Cool Clothes - Not Too Many
By cool clothes I don't mean cool looking - though that's fun too. I mean this is not the time for cotton or other natural fibers that are going to cling to you like a wet dish rag. If you sweat a lot, look into the new synthetic fabrics for workout clothing that wick moisture away from your body and dry quickly.
Sources for "cool" workout clothes:
Perfect Core Line from Lucy
Personal Performance Line from Fila
Under Armour Mens Tops - compare prices
Under Armour Womens Tops - compare prices
4. Beware of Slippery Sweat
You really do have make sure that whatever part of you is connected to the equipment, or the floor, or mat, has a good grip. There are now lots of good choices for hand and foot coverings for exercise. Examples:
5. Clean is Cool
Bring your own hand towel for wiping off your body while you workout. It's embarassing, at least uncomfortable, to have to go pull a bunch of paper towels off a roll to wipe yourself off with. You can also use no rinse body wipes during and after your workout.
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Most gyms and Pilates studios provide materials for wiping down the equipment after use. Please be dilligent about that. If the place where you workout isn't providing towels and spray sufficient for the job, you might want reconsider working out there - what does that say about their attitude toward hygeine?
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6. Is it Hot in Here?
If you are sweating more than usual, it might just be too hot in the room. Obviously if you are at home you can check the temp. But you are at a class or gym, you might be the one sweating a lot, but other people might be uncomfortable too. If you suspect it's the rooom temperature that's getting to you, it doesn't hurt to ask if anyone else is feeling too warm or if they would mind if the room was a little cooler.
7. Skip the Scent
If sweating is a problem for you, then you probably already have the whole antipersperent/deoderant thing figured out. If you don't, check into it. Antipersperants help reduce persperation. Deoderants work by either killing the bacteria that cause odor, or by masking odor or both. Body odor is not fun for other people. But do keep in mind that neither are strong perfume scents in a workout setting.
8. Sweating and Health Issues
Extra sweating can be caused by circumstances like hormonal changes, medications, spicy foods, stress and caffeine. It can also accompany health problems such as cancer, fever, and infection. The National Institute of Health recommends that you contact a health professional if your sweating is accompanied by fever, weight loss, chest pain, shortness of breath, or a rapid or pounding heartbeat.
Read more in Signs of Heat Illness at about.com's walking site.
source: Sweating, MedlinePlus, National Institutes of Health and National Library of Medicine
