Does Sweating More Equal More Weight Loss?

I’m sure you overheard Suzy saying, “I lose so much weight doing my cycling class. I sweat like a pig in there.”

So was she right?  

The more you sweat the more weight you lose, right?

Well, let’s break it down!

Weight loss is a change in body stores. The stores usually are mostly comprised of fat and muscle when you are discussing weight loss. What most people want to achieve is fat loss, which is maintaining muscle - tone - and losing fat (flab).

SO ARE YOU ACTUALLY LOSING FAT WHEN YOU SWEAT?

losing fat when sweat

Sweating is a biological response that cools your skin and regulates internal body temperature. But this doesn’t mean you actually change body stores. You could notice a reduction in weight after you have a big sweat session which is contributed to mostly WATER WEIGHT that will literally take minutes to put back on when you rehydrate.

So it’s not necessary the sweat that is causing the fat reduction but more the activity you are doing to cause the sweat.

So in all, sweat doesn’t cause fat loss but it does have a correlation to fat loss.

Just think if sweating caused weight loss, everyone in Florida would be ripped!

Just like eating cupcakes have a correlation to fat gain but doesn’t necessarily cause it. It’s the accumulation of too many calories that cause weight gain.

Fat loss is achieved when you burn more energy than your body needs to maintain its weight. Energy burning can occur when you eat less food and exercise.

If your goal is to lose FAT, make sure you put your focus on finding ways to eat less food and workout consistently. 

Josh Jensen

Josh is an ACSM certified personal trainer, author, and ex-collegiate football player in the Central Florida area. His education includes a Bachelors of Science at The University of Central Florida, physical therapy undergrad courses and pre-clinical experience. Josh is ranked as one of the top 10 trainers in the Central Florida Gold’s Gym Franchise, specializing in fat loss. He is currently training out of the Dr. Phillips location. His philosophy is that training should be fun, stress-free and personalized to your life.

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