Why doesn't sweat always indicate how hard you've worked out?

Sweat is part of the body's thermoregulation process, not just a measure of exercise intensity. Factors like age, sex, humidity, and clothing can all influence how much someone sweats.

What are better indicators of workout exertion than sweat?

According to the article, better ways to gauge exertion include monitoring breathing, perceived effort, and heart rate, which can be tracked with a chest strap or smartwatch.

How can sweat still be useful?

The article notes that sweat can be a marker of dehydration, so if someone emerges from a workout dripping in perspiration, they should rehydrate.

Home / Health / Sweat Doesn't Always Equal Effort: Surprising Factors That Affect Perspiration

Sweat Doesn't Always Equal Effort: Surprising Factors That Affect Perspiration

10 Nov

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Summary

Sweat levels can be misleading due to factors like age, sex, humidity, and clothing
Sweat is part of the body's thermoregulation process, not just a measure of workout intensity
Better indicators of exertion include breathing, perceived effort, and heart rate

Sweat Doesn't Always Equal Effort: Surprising Factors That Affect Perspiration

As of 2025-11-10T12:55:04+00:00, a new study has revealed that sweat levels can be misleading when it comes to assessing workout intensity. According to Adam Collins, a researcher from the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism at the University of Bath, sweating is part of the body's thermoregulation process, not just an indicator of how hard someone is exercising.

The article explains that when body temperature rises, the brain signals the body to sweat in order to cool down. While exercise is one factor that can increase body heat, there are many other influences on sweat production, including age, sex, humidity, and even the type of clothing worn. For example, on a hot, humid day, someone may sweat a lot during an easy run, while on a cold day, they might barely sweat at all despite a much more intense workout.