For a workout to be effective, it’s got to make you sweat right? It is certainly what we have been conditioned to believe:
“Sweat is just fat crying”
“What you sweat is what you get”
“Sweat, smile and repeat”
But is all this true?
Back when toothpaste first hit the mass market the minty flavour was added, not because it enhanced the performance of the toothpaste, but because it made our mouth feel cool, fresh and clean. In other words it provided the illusion of effectiveness.
Sweat does the same job for exercise.
It provides the illusion of effectiveness.
Which is why so many mass-market exercise programs are designed first and foremost to make your lungs burn and your body sweat.
But in isolation these are pretty meaningless measures.
Wildly jump up and down for 30 minutes and you will be gasping for breath and dripping from head to toe. You will also be on the fast-track lane to worn-out joints and injury!
Sweating is simply a means to control body temperature and will be influenced by everything from the outside temperature to your hydration levels, clothing and genetics.
Do exactly the same workout in a hotter room, wearing more clothes and you will sweat more.
None of this means a good workout can’t or won’t make you sweat. Or course it can. But in isolation it doesn’t tell you anything about the effectiveness of your training session. First and foremost your workout should stimulate a positive improvement in fitness whilst adding minimal wear and tear to your body.
If it also happens to make you sweat… great, cool, whatever!
Just remember it is not a prerequisite for success.