The fear of sweating ‘too much’ during exercise is a surprisingly common concern. Some sweat a lot, some hardly sweat at all & some people don’t mind being covered in sweat while others find the thought very uncomfortable – to the point that exercise is avoided completely.  I get it, it’s not particularly attractive (although some may disagree), but it is a part of exercising and something that needs to be managed if it’s a concern. I have touched on this topic before but in too much detail (as I tend to do) so I am throwing it out quickly – 5 ways to manage your fear of sweating during exercise.

Wear appropriate clothes
Choose colours that don’t show up the sweat as much, dark colours tend to hide it best, and choose a shirt or singlet with a material and cut that keeps you cool. Wearing warmer clothes during exercise will increase sweating.


Use an antiperspirant
Not all deodorants are an antiperspirant or intended for exercise. Choose an antiperspirant designed to decrease sweating.


Avoid certain foods
Spicy foods, hot drinks and drinks containing caffeine and alcohol may increase sweating. Avoid these foods immediately before exercise. Don’t avoid drinking water before or during exercise, you will risk becoming dehydrated – which has far worse outcomes then sweating.


Carry a towel
Always have a towel with you at training so you can wipe away the sweat. Visible sweat is not cooling you down, it’s the sweat you don’t see that evaporates immediately that has the cooling affect. Feel free to wipe it as you feel it.


Just accept it (if possible)
This one is not for everyone, I can appreciate that, but try to accept that sweating is not just a part of the exercise process, it’s encouraged. It’s a good indicator that you have worked hard enough that your body needs to respond. Everyone exercising around you is sweating too and on top of that no one else is noticing you or your sweat. If you didn’t sweat during a training session with me, I would even be a little disappointed.