One of the most common workout myths is that the more you sweat, the more calories you burn. This belief couldn't be farther from the truth. Everyone sweats at a different pace; you might finish your run with your clothing stuck to your skin and the treadmill's belt soaking wet, while the person exercising beside you looks as fresh as a springtime meadow. Sweating is related to your water weight, so you'll quickly replace any weight you lose through sweat as soon as you re-hydrate after your workout.
Keep a towel handy when using a treadmill, especially when you're exercising at a gym. Wipe your sweat regularly during the workout so the machine isn't doused in sweat. After you've finished running, clean the machine with the sanitizer and towel provided at the gym.
Despite the prevalence of people who use sauna suits, doing so is risky to your health. Because wearing a sauna suit increases your temperature and the amount you sweat, you're at risk of becoming dehydrated or even developing heat stroke. Consult a physician before deciding to wear a sauna suit during your workout.
Avoid using wrist weights that weigh more than 3 pounds. Heavier wrist weights can harm your muscles and joints.
Ankle or wrist weights
Sauna suit
Towel
Step 1
Raise the speed and incline of your treadmill to create more of a challenge, which increases the amount you sweat. Many people sweat more profusely when they exert more energy, and bumping up the treadmill's incline by a couple degrees or increasing the speed by a few miles per hour is likely to cause more sweat. The harder you work, the more calories you'll burn during your run.
Step 2
Strap a set of ankle or wrist weights to your body to increase your workout's resistance. Adding weights during aerobic exercise can increase your heart rate by up to 10 beats per minute, according to the American Council on Exercise. The harder your heart beats, the more you'll typically sweat.
Step 3
Wear a sauna suit and run on the treadmill for a few minutes. Sauna suits aren't ideal for people who wish to lose weight in a healthy manner, but are common among those in fighting sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts. If a fighter needs to lose weight quickly to make weight for a fight, he'll often wear a sauna suit during aerobic exercise. Wearing a sauna suit during just a few minutes of aerobic exercise can cause you to sweat profusely.
Tips
Warnings
Warnings
Things You'll Need
References
Tips
- Keep a towel handy when using a treadmill, especially when you're exercising at a gym. Wipe your sweat regularly during the workout so the machine isn't doused in sweat. After you've finished running, clean the machine with the sanitizer and towel provided at the gym.
Warnings
- Despite the prevalence of people who use sauna suits, doing so is risky to your health. Because wearing a sauna suit increases your temperature and the amount you sweat, you're at risk of becoming dehydrated or even developing heat stroke. Consult a physician before deciding to wear a sauna suit during your workout.
- Avoid using wrist weights that weigh more than 3 pounds. Heavier wrist weights can harm your muscles and joints.
Writer Bio
Toronto-based journalist William McCoy has been writing since 1997, specializing in topics such as sports, nutrition and health. He serves as the Studio's sports and recreation section expert. McCoy is a journalism graduate of Ryerson University.