What exactly is sweat?

Sweat is primarily water with tiny amounts of chemicals, such as ammonia, urea, salts, and sugar. Pure sweat is actually completely odorless – it only develops an odor if it’s left to sit because of the bacteria on our skin. There are also lots of foods, such as garlic, onions, or of course alcohol that also contribute to the body odor (b.o.) commonly attributed to sweat. 

Why is sweating good for you? 

Despite the fact that many of us spend quite a bit of time thinking about covering, hiding, or stopping our sweat – sweating has numerous benefits for our bodies. There is no reason to feel uncomfortable or ashamed of it! Here are the top five reasons why you should actually be aiming to sweat more!

1. Sweating means that your body is perfectly healthy!
   The most important reason why we need to sweat is simple: if we wouldn’t sweat during exercising, our body would overheat within minutes. It is a natural reaction to cool down our skin and blood to regulate body temperature. By the way, this not only happens when we exercise but also when we have a fever or eat spicy food.
2. Natural Detoxing
   Besides temperature control, sweat has also other benefits such as helping to clear our bodies of heavy metals, PCBs, and BPAs. Many cultures around the world have enjoyed induced sweating rituals for centuries, from saunas in Finland, to Russian banyas;  all of which have become popular worldwide today for health benefits. In recent years, science has provided clear evidence that induced sweating is particularly effective for the elimination of toxins (including alcohol ?).
3. Sweating as an antibiotic
   Who needs antibacterial ointment when sweat spreads highly efficient antibiotics on to our skin!  If our skin is wounded by a small cut, a scratch, or the sting of a mosquito, antibiotic agents secreted in sweat glands, such as dermcidin, rapidly and efficiently kill invaders.
4. Sweating makes us happy!
   There are numerous scientific studies on how exercise, particularly cardiovascular exercise, is tied to a release of endorphins (happy hormones) in the body. We also have our own proof because we only see happy faces and smiles when our clients walk out of the Velocity workouts! Regular exercise and drinking water is one of the best ways to relieve stress and regulate emotions.
5. Speed up recovery!     
   Both during and after a workout, your body’s circulation and blood flow increases, which assists with carrying lactic acid away from muscle groups. This means you’ll feel sore for a shorter amount of time after exercising and will be less prone to injuries. 
6. Clear your skin!
   “Sweat makes me shine” – that’s how we like to see it at Velocity. While some may believe sweating is detrimental to your skin, it instead helps release unhealthy bacteria that causes pimples to appear – leading to clearer skin. It’s best to clean your make-up off before a workout to ensure nothing on your skin can clog your pores when the the bad toxins and bacteria are being released. Also, in order to avoid clogged pores from festering bacteria, don’t let the sweat sit too long after a workout. It’s recommended to wash your face or shower as soon as possible after a workout. Exercising regularly can improve the clarity of your skin and lead to a natural healthy glow.

Long story short? There’s no shame in being the sweatiest person in a cycling or power workout, so let’s get moving!