6 Causes of Sweating After a Workout
1. Working Out at a High Intensity
Often, how quickly you stop sweating after a workout depends on how hard you pushed during the session. For example, a max-effort cardio session is a lot more sweat-inducing than casually lifting light weights, Somerset says.
2. Skipping the Cooldown
If you can’t stop sweating after a workout, it could be a sign that you’re not giving your body enough time to gradually lower its temperature.
3. Jumping Straight Into the Shower
If you’re still sweating bullets after a workout, taking a shower will be more performative than beneficial, especially if the water is warm, Somerset says. That’s because being in a hot, humid environment will limit evaporation and prolong your body’s sweat response, he says.
4. Eating or Drinking Something Hot
If you gulp down a scalding hot coffee or nosh on spicy foods after your workout, you can bet on prolonged sweating, Somerset says.
5. Wearing the Wrong Workout Gear
If you choose clothes that don’t breathe or you pile on multiple layers, you’ll produce a plethora of perspiration, Somerset says. Wearing thick or non-breathable clothing traps heat and sweat, making it harder for your body to cool down because it blocks airflow and prevents sweat from evaporating, according to research.
6. Living Somewhere Humid
If you live in a tropical climate or if the summertime brings rain-forest levels of humidity, heat loss through evaporation (sweat) is a lot harder, Somerset says. According to research, sweat evaporates completely in dry air, but in humid air, it stays partly liquid.
“Canada in the winter? Easy to stop sweating after you’ve crushed your session. Florida in the summer? It’s going to be a lot harder to keep your shirt dry,” Somerset says.
