If you’re hoping to burn more calories during gym sessions, working out in a thick sweater might not be the answer you’ve been looking for – here’s why.
When it comes to finding the best clothes for a workout, there’s a common urban myth that you will often see in action during a visit to the gym. While you’re dressed in gym shorts, a sweat-wicking t-shirt or maybe even a pair of sweatpants, out of the corner of your eye, you’ll see people pounding away on a treadmill or completing a workout routine in the weights room dressed in far too many clothes. The idea seems simple – wearing more clothes (or in, some extreme cases, a bin bag) will make you sweat more and help you lose weight in the process. But is there actually any truth that working out in a sweater burns more calories?
Does working out in a sweater burn more calories?
The short answer is no. The longer answer is: not enough to make it worth doing. It’s all because of a simple equation – more sweat loss doesn’t equal more calories burned. Wearing a sweater, bin bag or full-on winter coat will provide more insulation, causing your body to heat up. To counter this and keep its internal temperature at the desired 37°C, the brain will tell your heart to beat faster to circulate blood more quickly in an attempt to cool you down. It will also send your sweat glands into overdrive to counter the rise in skin temperature.
What it won’t do is dramatically increase the amount of effort required to perform the exercise. This is the key factor when it comes to burning calories and reducing fat stores. So, whether you’re wearing 3-inch running shorts and a vest or full-on Arctic-approved hiking gear, the energy stores used are going to be roughly the same. What’s more, your body is good at adapting. This is why, over time, it will get used to working out in colder or warmer climates. So, any initial benefits will soon be negated.
That’s not to say that togging up won’t impact what you see on the scales. There might be a reduction in overall mass after a sweaty, sweater-totting workout. However, it’s important to point out that this only reflects the water lost through sweat, which is temporary.
Finally, it’s important to consider what working out in a sweater will do to your motivation. Sure, it’s nice to feel the burn. But, if every workout makes you feel like you’re literally burning up, you’re less likely to want to do it. This will reduce the one thing that will help you burn more calories long-term – consistency.
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