Last Updated on July 28, 2019
Recently I was working out with one of my gals at the gym and she asked me, “Why do you always wear sweatshirts and hoodies when you workout? Aren’t you hot?”
Since I’m currently living in Florida… and Florida is always HOT… it may seem kind of silly to wear a hoodie while I work out.
But there are methods to my madness.
In today’s episode of CCtv, I decided to share 5 good reasons why I wear a hoodie every time I exercise. And why I think you should, too.
5 Good Reasons to Wear a Hoodie Every Time You Exercise
1) Hoodies Hide your Goodies
Let’s face it people like to people watch. Scoping out others is a natural thing to want to do when you’re tethered to an elliptical machine for 45 minutes. Some people are cool about it… And then there are people who never got the don’t-be-creeper memo when they signed up for their membership. Either way, it can make you feel insecure and self-conscious when you’re working out. Think of a hoodie like an invisibility cloak for your goods. Camouflaging your lovely lady lumps helps to make you feel more secure and eliminates reasons to stare.
2) Hoodies Hold your Goodies
Hoodies double as a kangaroo pouch. It’s easy to go hands-free when you use your pouch to hold your keys, MP3 player, phone, even your water bottle.
3) Hoodies help keep you Germ-Free
When you think about it gyms are downright disgusting. God only knows what someone could have stepped in… Right before waltzing all over the gym floor.
4) Hoodies help you Sweat more
Sweat is one of your body’s detox pathways.
Detox has become a seriously watered-down term because of the many over-hyped products that are pure garbage, like detox teas.
The truth is, your body is set up to detox itself using the primary detox organs, the liver, and kidneys.
But sometimes the liver and kidneys can’t process toxins effectively when liver and kidney function gets impaired. Manhattan-based functional medicine physician Jeffrey Morrison, MD, states that when toxic load becomes too great, “the body gets rid of toxins through a secondary system, which is sweat.”
Most detoxing happens through the liver and kidneys, but when the amount exceeds the capacity the body can handle, Dr. Morrison says, your pores will start to pitch in. “There’s only so much they [the liver and kidneys] can grab and package. If there’s more coming in, then the body has to manage it. That’s when the body starts trying to sweat things out.”
Research backs up the point, he says, with multiple studies that have shown heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury in sweat after exercise (and saunas). “They also know that there are some fat-soluble toxins in the sweat as well. Just like you can absorb them through the skin, you can also pass them back through it.” Think endocrine disruptors like BPA (learn more about those here).
Hoodies = More Sweat
More Sweat = More Detox + Less Water Weight
Drink water, though! Water will help your liver and kidneys flush the dis-lodged toxins from your body. Otherwise, they can stay stuck in your body.
5) Hoodies are Comfy
I hate hoodies, said no one ever.
There you have it! 5 good reasons why you should wear a hoodie every time you exercise. If you like this post and you think someone you know will like it, too, please share it.
Your Coach and Biggest Cheerleader
xxoo
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long)
so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and
say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer
but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for novice blog writers?
I’d really appreciate it.
Honestly, I’d say just get started, write from your heart and be consistent. : ) Hope that helps! Good luck!
You’re so right!! Wearing a sweater will aid with detox and you CAN DETOX THROUGH YOUR SKIN. Thanks for the post.
Thank you Jack xo
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
What complete and utter nonsense number 4 is. “Sweat is your body’s way of detoxing.” No it is not. Your body has 3 organs responsible for this, two kidneys and one liver. This isn’t just bad advice, it is dangerous advice. There are plenty of references to support this but the one below is an easy read.
Please do not continue pedalling this advice – it could lead to someone severely dehydrating themselves.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-edmonds/does-sweating-release-tox_b_8372452.html
Oh boy Mike… where do I start? First, thanks for the opportunity to clarify my words…
First, sweating doesn’t just occur to detoxify… sweating is a protective mechanism of the body. Wearing a hoodie increases body temperature, which triggers the body to sweat to protect itself… with the goal of accelerating sweat production to encourage detoxification.
I don’t give bad advice. I also don’t give advice I can’t prove with real science. Also, I clearly say to DRINK LOTS OF WATER IF YOU’RE WORKING OUT WITH A HOODIE ON TO LITERALLY PREVENT DEHYDRATION.
I will say the fitness blogger is kinda right in a sense that the kidneys and liver help detox FOOD and DRINKS.
BUT THE BODY WASN’T MADE TO METABOLIZE AND DIGEST PROCESSED, ARTIFICAL, TOXIC INGREDIENTS FOUND IN FOOD AND DRINKS. Like Mercury, found in tuna, which when over-consumed, can have a toxic effect on the body. I’d recommend educating yourself about toxins and detoxification/cleansing protocols before leaving comments like this… here’s why…
Not all toxins are found in food… What about environmental toxins, like pollution? or toxins found in topical products? or cleaning products? Or medications that can actually impair liver function. And what if someone has a kidney or liver disease? Or fatty liver disease? How will these people aid their kidneys and liver when they can’t/don’t detox properly?
Guess what they can do? They can sweat 🙂
YES, sweating can help detoxify the body. I’d explain why but since you’re already doubting my credibility I figured it’d be best to post some excerpts from a medical paper posted on the Journal of Environmental and Public Health’s website (linked below if you’d like to read it).
This well-researched scientific paper was supported by 52 medically backed sources supporting the case that sweating was proven to aid in detoxification of heavy metals the same way – and in some cases better than – urination does (Which the liver and kidneys are responsible for.)
Also, you’ll notice the article I’m referencing was written by 3 professional researchers… not 1 fitness coach/blogger like yours.
3.1. Excretion of Toxic Elements in Sweat
They suggested, “sweating should be the initial and preferred treatment of patients with elevated mercury urine levels.” In a 1978 case report, a severely poisoned worker was rescued with chelation therapy, followed by a regimen of daily sweat and physiotherapy over several months during which the sweat mercury level returned to normal and the patient recovered [40]. Robinson measured mercury in sweat repeatedly in two volunteers, observing sweat to urine concentration ratios ranging from less than 0.1 to greater than 5. Sweat mercury concentrations varied widely from day to day, and there was no correlation with urine levels. Sweat mercury levels of 1.5 μg/L were observed by Genuis et al. [3] and 1.4 μg/L by Robinson and Skelly [39].
l 5. Conclusions
Sweating offers potential and deserves consideration, to assist with removal of toxic elements from the body. As toxic elements are implicated in many serious chronic conditions, research is needed in patients with select conditions to evaluate the body burden and to test the efficacy of source removal, dietary choices and supplements, interventions that induce sweating, and treatments with drugs, all to enhance excretion of toxic elements with the goal of clinical improvement. via https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/184745/
This is a funny “whoops” from Mike. But, it is a good way to get a clarification on detoxification through sweat (in lay-man’s terms). So, I guess, thank you, Mike? Huge thank you to you too, Christina.
Oh, and, for those who pass by comments and/or likes to argue: Blogs aren’t the safest and most credible sources for information and information citation. (No offense to author since some blogs tainted science blog credibility)
But I do hope you also have a small space or at least a minimizable box to place your sources. The article you shared is very interesting.
Thank you Lilianne. Initially, I was just trying to make a light hearted post to help women feel more confident in the gym. I learned about sweat as a detox a long time ago and didn’t think something that minor would require sources… nor that a bunch of guys would want to spew hate in my comments about it being BS… when it’s not. I’ll definitely make it a point to site sources in the future. Thank you for your comment.
Sweat is one of your body’s way of detoxing. IDK what that guy’s thinking!
Wish there was a thumbs up button, best article that’s actually answered the question I had.
Boxers have been doing this forever. Cut weight then rehydrate. I never thought of it as detox but hey that’s a plus 🙂
But boxers don’t hydrate when they’re cutting… I recommend that you do. xo
I really like this article so much. Thanks for sharing.
Awww yay! You’re welcome. Thanks for letting me know you liked it. xo CC
Love this! Thanks Christina! I’m going to start wearing a hoodie when I do your workouts from now on. 🙂
Awww yay! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Spot on Christina