Training with thermal wear

[roxy28]

One of my freinds at work just started working out on her treadmill and said she uses a thermal suit to make her sweat even more. They sell them at Dick's but it does not give that info. My sister says she has done that also. Does it help burn more cals? We tried to look it up but just found info on sauna heat?

 

[SRP]

I'd say that it could be dangerous, and that you run the risk of overheating. Probably any extra you would lose would be water, which means you could easily dehydrate, and you'd just gain it back once you drank enough to rehydrate to a safe, normal level.

 

[Bunbun]

Wow, I haven't heard of people doing that since the early 1970s! Maybe it's still around because it's something that high school wrestlers do to make weight for an event? It's really unhealthy, though, as previous posters have said.

 

[allwildgirl]

It will make you sweat more, thereby losing water weight and possibly causing overheating and dehydration. It's really not a wise idea.

 

[Aquajock]

That does NOT burn more calories. What it does is prevent core heat generated by the workout from dissipating into the environment; it also prevents sweat from evaporating on the skin, which also prevents heat from dissipating. \

Bad, bad idea, especially as we get into warmer, and potentially more humid weather (understanding I don't know what your climate is like).

My guess is, your friend will unconsciously reduce her exertion level to cope with the heat buildup and retention, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the workout.

A-Jock

 

[kathryn]

Some black comedian (I think?) recently was hospitalized after he collapsed from running in one of those suits.

As others have said, the only weight loss will be a temporary fluid loss, which is both dangerous (can lead to dehydration) and easily reversible (the first time you drink water after a workout).