Why Do I Sweat Profusely When I Exercise?

Sweating is your body's natural cooling system, so it's perfectly natural to sweat while you exercise. As you exercise, you raise your core body temperature, and sweating will help keep your body from overheating. But when you sweat so much that it interferes with your workout, it may be the sign of a medical condition, like hyperhidrosis. Talk to your doctor if your sweating is so bothersome that it affects your workout routine.

Why We Sweat

When your body's core temperature rises, your brain sends a signal to the rest of the body to lower this temperature as quickly as possible. Your eccrine sweat glands release sweat onto the skin, which cools the body down quickly, explain the authors of "101 Frequently Asked Questions about 'Health & Fitness' and 'Nutrition & Weight Control'." The longer you exercise, the more sweat your body will release in its attempt to reduce your core body temperature. When you stop exercising, your core temperature will stabilize and you will eventually stop sweating.

Why Sweat Production Varies

The amount you sweat has nothing to do with how in-shape or out-of-shape you are. Trained athletes may actually sweat more than the average individual because the body may begin to sweat sooner to remove the extra heat. Some people may have an increased core temperature while exercising, and these individuals may sweat more to ensure that the body does not get too hot.

Hyperhidrosis

When excessive sweating isn't only limited to your workout, or it is getting in the way of your exercise routine, your sweating may be the sign of hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is an overproduction of sweat that may cause you to soak right through your clothing, even when you aren't exercising. If your excessive sweating is bothersome, your doctor may recommend prescription antiperspirants, medications or surgery to block sweat glands and prevent the excessive sweating.

How to Manage Excessive Sweat

Excessive sweat doesn't have to wreck your workout. If you're headed to the gym, pack an extra shirt in your gym bag and change halfway through your workout. Wear breathable, loose-fitting cotton clothes to keep your body cool. Use a gym towel to wipe off every machine after you use it, and a separate towel to wipe sweat from your face and body as you exercise. Drink water before, during and after you exercise, and sip on a sports drink throughout your workout to replenish the electrolytes you lose while sweating.