Why Do I Sweat So Much When I Work Out?

December 16, 2024 by Fitness On Earth

You get into a groove at the gym and suddenly realize you’re sweating through your clothes. Some people find that they don’t need to exercise for very long before they are overwhelmed by someone else around them. Learn why you can sweat so much during training to better understand your body and feel more in control of your body.

Why does sweating happen during a workout?

People sweat when they work out because their bodies are trying to cool down. When you are physically active or spend time in a hot climate, your body activates your sweat glands. They release water in the form of droplets that evaporate on your skin. Evaporation cools you. It also accounts for 22% of total body heat loss when you are instinctively undergoing thermoregulation.

Reasons why you may sweat more than others

If you feel like you’re always the sweatiest person in the room, your sweat glands may be overactive for a number of reasons. You can do more intense training, resulting in a higher body temperature than other people in the gym.

You may also have an undiagnosed condition called hyperhidrosis. This condition causes excessive sweating when you are not in a hot environment or exercising. Experts estimate that it affects 5% of people in the United States and may be related to other undiagnosed conditions, such as endocrine disorders. Talk to your doctor if your excessive sweating happens without a clear trigger.

It is also possible to start sweating if your heart rate increases. Some medications cause an increased heart rate. Talk to your doctor to pinpoint the most likely cause of your sweating if you think it could be related to something other than the intensity of your workouts.

4 ways to combat excessive sweating

You never want to prevent your body from sweating. It is a crucial part of regulating your internal temperature. However, there are some things you can do to mitigate excessive sweating when working out and outside of the gym.

1. Use a combined Antiperspirant and Deodorant

People sometimes think that all deodorants are the same, but they serve different purposes. Look for one that combines deodorant and antiperspirant ingredients. Antiperspirants block your sweat glands where they make contact with your skin. Meanwhile, the deodorant ingredients remove the odor from your sweat. If your problem is mainly excessive sweating under the armpit during a workout, this combined tool could make you more comfortable and smell better.

2. Reflect on your Medications

If you take any prescription medication, check its side effects. They may cause some of your extra sweating. You can always talk to your primary care doctor to switch to a similar medication that does not affect sweat production. There may be other brands available that will still provide the same medical care.

3. Wear Moisture Wicking Fabric

Check the tags on your clothes. Are they made with denser cotton? You will be more comfortable in the fabric that removes moisture. It uses a special design to move sweat from your skin to the outside of your clothing. You’ll feel less sticky, which could make it easier to tolerate your body’s natural amount of sweating.

Just be sure not to confuse less viscosity with less need for hydration. You will still sweat the same amount, which means you will still lose the same amount of water from your body. Drinking plenty of water improves brain and muscle function, so keep up your water intake whether or not it mitigates your sweating.

4. Consult your doctor

You can always consult your doctor about medical treatments for intense sweating. Some are as simple as Botox injections to manage underarm sweating. It depends on where your sweat glands are most active.

You may also be a candidate for iontophoresis. People who undergo iontophoresis place their hands or feet in small containers of water. Her doctor then uses a device to pass a weak electric current through her skin. You may be a candidate for this treatment if you do not have metal implants or a pacemaker.

Understand your body better

Excessive sweating during a workout is not uncommon. There are many reasons why you may have a higher sweat rate than others. You may also be a candidate for numerous treatments. Call your doctor to discuss your options and find the best solution to feel comfortable in your own skin again.