Maximizing the Make Me Sweat Fitness Trend the Safe Way
Achieving an intense sweat has become a major goal among fitness crowds as part of the growing make me sweat movement. Driven by celebrity influencers and eye-catching social media, sweat-drenching workouts are now viewed as a badge of exercise success by many.
Apparel brands have eagerly jumped into this sweat-centric trend by creating garments with sweat-boosting claims. With bold marketing and dramatic before and after imagery, sweat suits present themselves as shortcut to fitness results.
Understanding the Make Me Sweat Appeal
The desire to sweat during exercise ties closely with the fat burning zone concept. Pushing your body into a vigorous state of exertion forces increased perspiration as a cooling mechanism. More sweat equals more calories and fat burned in many people’s minds.
Additionally, heavy sweating helps foster a sense of having put in maximum effort. The physical intensity and discomfort of profuse sweating can make a workout feel more “effective,” especially among enthusiasts like bodybuilders.
Assessing Sweat-Inducing Activewear Claims
Garments targeting the make me sweat trend include sweat suits, waist trainers, and multi-layer compression wear. Most brand makes aggressive claims about inducing extreme sweat for improved calorie burn, weight loss, and other outcomes.
But with limited research on how well these products truly work as claimed, consumers deserve a more critical eye before buying. While they may increase sweat rates during workouts, potential risks also need consideration against stated benefits.
How Sweat Suits and Saunas Suits Work
Sweat suits and sauna suits take similar approaches to purportedly boost perspiration during exercise. Both feature tight-fitting designs often incorporating neoprene, rubber, or plastic panels to quite literally trap heat against the body.
Design Elements Causing Sweat
The ultra-snug fit already inhibits heat loss by clinging closely to the body. But the non-breathable synthetic fabrics and plastic-based inserts further prevent sweat evaporation, causing rapid build up of heat.
In essence, the suits create a portable sauna-like environment around the body, causing you to overheat faster. The increased heat then triggers profuse sweating as the body tries cooling itself while working out.
Dubious Links to Enhanced Calorie Burn
Brands advertise these sweat suits and sauna suits as shortcuts to more calories and fat burned during exercise compared to bare skin. They claim the heat stress enhances metabolic rate and forces the body to work harder.
But despite bold claims, current research on non-breathable workout attire does not clearly show meaningful improvements in weight loss or fitness. Any minor boost in caloric expenditure appears short-lived and likely insignificant over the long-term.
Using Sweat Suits Safely and Effectively
While more research still needed, using sweat suits and sauna workout attire may offer benefits under the right circumstances. But improper use also comes with safety concerns to mitigate through smart planning.
Consult a Trainer First
Discuss sweat suits with an exercise professional before incorporating into your routine. A qualified fitness trainer can help determine if sweat suits match your current fitness level and health profile to avoid undue risk.
For some pre-existing conditions like heart disease, heat intolerance issues may counter indicate intense overheating and sweating while working out in any capacity.
Gradual and Limited Use
When first using sweat suits, limit workouts to light or moderate exertion levels for under 30 minutes until adjusting to the intense heat. Pay close attention to warning signs of overheating like nausea, dizziness or headache.
Increase duration and intensity slowly over subsequent sessions if your body responds well. But immediately stop a workout if feeling unwell and avoid using the sweat suit again until cleared by your doctor.
Proper Hydration Habits
Stay very well hydrated before, during and after sessions wearing a sweat suits since fluid losses will be magnified. Drink at least 16 ounces of water in the hour before suiting up.
Once exercising, drink 6-8oz every 15-20 minutes at a minimum with electrolytes. Post-workout, replenish lost electrolytes and rehydrate with more fluid intake spaced over several hours.
Achieving a Good Sweat Safely
Working up an intense sweat can satisfy the inner competitor in all of us. But taking shortcuts via questionable products likely does more harm than good in pursuit of sweaty fitness hype.
By picking activities you enjoy, working within your limits, fueling properly and staying hydrated, you can achieve better, safer results. Embrace the make me sweat mentality by giving your full effort rather than relying on gimmicks.
Your hard work will pay dividends through fitter, healthier outcomes earned properly from within versus induced from wrappings without.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment