Amateur wrestling is a demanding sport that requires speed, strength and endurance. To maintain fair matches, wrestling competitions use weight classes to separate athletes. "Making weight" is an accepted strategy in which a wrestler will temporarily reduce his body weight to qualify for a lower weight class and face smaller opponents. Relying primarily on temporary dehydration, wrestlers will use a number of tricks to make weight.
Water Intake Manipulation
Wrestlers generally have a high water intake due to the demands of the sport. Leading up to a competition, wrestlers Like Cornell's 2007 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Adam Frey will reduce their water intake, causing their bodies to excrete more water than they replace. Immediately following weigh-ins, they will then increase their fluid intake to replace the water they've lost.
Exercise
To increase the effectiveness of their reduced water intake, most wrestlers will use light exercise to induce sweating and speed up the dehydration process. Sweating ensures that no unnecessary water is held under the skin. Typical exercises include jogging and stationary cycling. Strenuous exercise will not be performed during the dehydration process due to the risk of injury.
Heat
Often combined with exercise, heat is an effective tool to speed up perspiration and lose more weight in a short amount of time. Wrestlers will typically put on multiple layers of clothes or thick sweat suits. Saunas, steam rooms or hot baths will also work to accelerate perspiration.
Warning
These weight-loss methods are to be used only by wrestlers under the supervision of a team physician or coach. These techniques are not permanent weight-loss methods, and could be dangerous if used as an alternative to a healthy diet or exercise. The Mayo Clinic links dehydration to serious conditions such as kidney failure, seizures, heat illness and even death.
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