SIFT Personal Training Fitness Article: Why Aerobics and Sweating is Good For You

Why Aerobics and Sweating is
Good For You
by April Kerr

OK, so sweat isn't particularly the nicest of topics to talk about. People spend vast amounts of money on deodorants to stop themselves from sweating. It's no wonder either because sweating can turn smelly and make our clothes wet and uncomfortable to wear. The thing is though that our bodies need to sweat in order to be able to keep in good health.

But why should this be? Sweating is so horrible, surely it can't be good for you? Well, the reason we sweat is because humans need to intake water for a variety of reasons. Water is essential for tissues and cells in our body and it allows important elements such as salt and sugar to be transported throughout the body. Besides these reasons, water also acts as our bodies own thermostat so that you can keep to the optimum temperature for health.

In order for your body to be able to maintain your body in equilibrium you're body goes through the process of homeostasis. To be able to do this body temperature is extremely important. If the temperature of your body becomes too high you experience a fever and even heat stroke. When your body gets too cold then you suffer from chills. Both of these conditions should be avoided in order to stay healthy.

Also perspiration isn't the primary method of homeostasis it's very important for body temperature control. When we exercise all the different chemical reactions increase in speed which causes the internal temperature of your body to increase. Your body is always aiming for equilibrium which is about 98.6F/37C. Sweating causes the heat to be carried out from your body through the skin.

It's also said that by sweating you are expelling lots of toxins from your body so it's important that you do some exercising that is designed to make you sweat. There are so many different types of exercise that allows you to do this. Cycling, running, rowing, boxing and weightlifting all allow you to achieve this.

In addition to sweating out toxins you're body also releases many different good hormones that increase your levels of happiness. This is why some people exercise instead of taking anti-depressants. There have been many studies on the effects of exercise and one of them found that people with gastroenteritis (GI) have had their symptoms greatly reduced when they have been exercising more. How you choose to get more exercise is up to you. Some people like to join a gym whilst others prefer to go hill walking and enjoy the outdoors.

<<< Back to Fitness Article Archive