Friday, March 7, 2008

Sweating not necessary

There’s good news for those of us, including me, who don’t sweat much when you exercise. The amount you sweat does not determine how good of a workout you’re getting. There are many factors that play into the amount you sweat when you’re doing any kind of exercise. Some people are prone to sweating more than others and begin to sweat as soon as they get the slightest bit warm. The amount of sweat you put out is also determined by the temperature of the room you’re working out in.

There is a false notion that the more you sweat, the better workout you’re getting. Just because you’re sweating less than the person next to you does not mean that you are burning less fat or building less muscle. The only thing it indicates is that you’re losing less water.

A better indicator of a good workout is getting your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes on most days. If you don’t have a heart rate monitor, use the talk test to determine your level.

In case you have control over the temperature of the room you’re working out in, experts say the ideal temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.