Why do I keep seeing ads for “performance” clothing that increases fat loss via sweating! Look, I wrestled in the ‘70s and wore “plastics” (and even a neoprene “Tummy Trimmer”), but I don’t think any of us believed we were “burning fat”. Sweat is water. We are not oozing fat from our pores when we exercise. Dehydration decreases performance. We wore plastic sweats to “make weight”—a short-term solution to poor weight management. (In my case, I just found the psychological effects of the increased stress load to be a perceived benefit. I still don’t feel like I have adequately worked out until I can wring sweat from my t-shirt. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take a PhD in exercise physiology to recognize that my weight loss is restored when I drink fluids.)
I cringe when I see statements like: “Maximize your workouts with our advanced heating technology activewear.” Let’s be clear. Performance is maximized when the body is adequately nourished and hydrated prior to exercise and hydration is maintained. Fat lost when the body is in a caloric deficit (hypocaloric). Period!
By all means wear thermal “performance” wear, if you like. (The options look a lot cooler than the bulky plastic sweats of the 70’s and 80’s.) Realize, however, they will tend to diminish performance rather than increase performance. Less work performed equals less caloric expenditure. Sweat because you are working hard and your muscle contractions are producing heat, not because you are hot. Clean up your diet and move more to lose fat. (By the way, muscle size is affected by hydration. Less water equals less “pump”. So,….)
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!