Does Exercising with Extra Clothing Make a Difference?

Have you ever gone to the gym and seen that one person exercising with extra clothing like with a hoodie and sweats on and completely drenched? Yeah, if you haven't seen that before you will one day, I promise you. Even though many people do this, is it necessary and does it actually provide any real benefit to you and help with fat loss?  As well, can there be any other hidden benefits to it that we may not originally guess? 

Does Exercising with Extra Clothing Burn More Fat?

The first thing you'll probably assume when thinking of exercising with extra clothing is that you sweat more. That's absolutely true! (1) 

When your body is sweating, the purpose of it is to cool down your body.  This makes sense especially if you're exercising with extra clothing. However, it's imperial to note that sweat ≠ fat loss. Although it is usually a sign that you're working (or your body is working) a bit harder in general, the process of sweating doesn't burn a crazy amount of calories. 

Now, there isn't as much research on this topic as I would hope. However, exercising with extra clothing is bound to increase your heart rate even for the sole reason as it provides another form of resistance to your training. Due to the extra resistance, your body will need to work a bit harder and your heart rate should be higher, so you'll probably be burning more calories than usual. Now, will it be a significant amount? Probably not. 

So to clear clarify and some up this portion, will it burn more fat? Not necessarily. You'll exert more, but not enough for it to make a significant difference.  

Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Okay, so we know that exercising with extra clothing doesn't burn more fat, so why should you do it? For this simple reason.

Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable.

Exercising with extra clothing is usually no easy task. It's uncomfortable and hot and you're dying to just get cool. The longer you keep your composure though and hold your disciple to not take the easy way out, the more comfortable you're getting being uncomfortable. 

You will notice, the more you keep doing uncomfortable things, you'll have a tougher mindset and not so easily willing to quit tasks.

This is something that will translate into your day to day life and I can't recommend it enough. 

When to Exercise with Extra Clothing

Anytime I exercise with extra clothing, it's usually during cardio. Why is that? There is a couple of reasons:

• Burn a bit more calories
• More difficult

I usually don't wear extra clothing when I do weight lifting like squats, bench and deadlift. Mainly squats for me because it's an exercise I don't want to be dripping sweat and have the potential to slip, as well I'm trying to lift heavy weight. With extra clothing, I'll probably burn out a bit quicker and not be able to hit my reps and sets. 

Obviously, it's up to you when you want to wear extra clothing, but that's my personal preference. 

Dangers

If you do plan on exercising with extra clothing, I highly recommend bringing some extra water with you. The more you sweat, the more your body is is excreting water/fluid and electrolytes. I would even go as far as say drink something with electrolytes in it.

Final Thoughts

Exercising with extra clothing may not make you burn as many extra calories as you were hoping for, however it can be a great asset for you to sweat more and build a better mindset during your training. You will get comfortable being uncomfortable and such lessons will carry into your everyday life.

I personally like to exercise with extra clothing mainly during cardio, but you can choose to do it when ever you want! If you do plan on doing it, I would recommend brining some extra water or even a drink with electrolytes in it. 

References:

1. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research; Marriott BM, editor. Nutritional Needs in Hot Environments: Applications for Military Personnel in Field Operations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1993. 3, Physiological Responses to Exercise in the Heat.

Photos:

1. Photo by Burst from Pexels