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Writer's pictureAnna Buchanan

Sweat yourself to great health!




Summer is hot and workouts get super sweaty – so much so that my overpriced tech-fabrics can’t keep up. It’s not pretty, and how I look is in complete contrast to the slogans on shirts and water bottles: I don't sweat, I glisten. I don't sweat, I sparkle. I don't sweat, I glow. 


Na. I sweat. Hard work is good work and here are four ways that hard work and a good sweat is beneficial:


1. inflammation fighter

Inflammation hampers our metabolism and cardiovascular fitness by leaving little room for expansion in blood vessels. With hard work, however, increased heart rate and blood flow keeps the blood pumping to our moving muscles and with every contraction, strengthens blood vessels. Over time, they become more pliable and our bodies benefit from a more responsive and efficient system.


2. a shower for our insides

A good sweat flushes us out – like a shower for the insides, or an oil change for a car. Just as new oil protects the moving parts of vehicles, sweat also protects us by ramping up heat-shock proteins in our cells. These are a special set of responders that safeguard other proteins from damage, repair any already damaged ones and signal production of new, healthy proteins. Studies show they can even block cells that activate inflammation in the body. This process protects our cells from the inside.


3. improved self image

A study published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise found all it takes is 20 minutes of sweaty activity to feel stronger and even slimmer. It's not just about the mood lift that comes with the release of endorphins. Exercising at a moderate to vigorous intensity actually encourages you to see yourself in a new light right after the event, a perk that researchers say can improve your internal dialogue over time.


4. switches the focus

"There is something emotionally transformative about getting really, profusely sweaty," says Janet Buckworth, Ph.D., head of kinesiology at the University of Georgia in Athens. "We always worry about looking presentable, but being drenched in sweat forces you to shift your focus from your appearance to your experience." As a result, you can fully immerse yourself in your movement and lose the mental inhibitions that might stop you from giving it your all. 


So, yes! Sparkle, glow and glisten, but get there with a good ol’ sweat! I’m right there with ya! And until our September classes start up, I’m with you as your guide in Aha’s 130+ On demand workouts.


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Guest
Jul 17

Great article and tips!

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