Sweating....

[pad]

I sweat .. a lot .. even when sitting at the desk at work - mind you it's usually 26/27C which is too hot for me - I much prefer being cold...

I'd like to cycle to work but I'm concerned that I won't be able to stop sweating after the ride, even if I have a shower.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips for sweating less or stopping it once I get to work,

and also how soon after you started cycling did you adjust to it and start sweating less?

Thanks.

 

[bud_white]

I'm no cycling expert. I commute and go out on weekends for a long ride if I get chance.

I have however played a lot of sport, gym etc. A bit of advice I could pass on is that; how knackered you are whilst exercising is how fat you are. How quickly you recover after exercise is how fit you are. The reason I say this is simply to point out that it basically gets better with time. The more your fitness improves the less you will sweat after exercise.

Another thing that will help is wearing the right clothing whilst cycling.

I have been told that cold showers are not a good idea, but to be honest I find it works a treat. Not ice cold though the temperature just before warm!!

 

[Bigtwin]

I'm like you. Apparently a lot of fit people are - it's yer body knowing how the whole exercise sketch works.

Only thing that helps me is not drinking tea/coffee in the morning before I ride.

 

[nigelnorris]

I've found that taking a water bottle full of ice into work really does make a difference. It's not particularly nice forcing down a pint of iced water at 7.30 in the morning having just got off a bike, but it cuts down my cooling period from 20-30 minutes to only about 5.

 

[Steve Austin]

well known tip for cooling down quick is to run the inside of your wrist under a cold tap for about a minute. try it, it does work.

 

[Slim]

As Bud White already mentioned - real fitness is meaured by recovery times (if you want to keep track measure how long it takes for your pulse rate to drop to normal).

Unfortunately, as you get fitter you'll sweat more during the actual exercise as you'll be able to work harder for a given heart rate. You'll just stop sweating a lot sooner.

BTW - would your workplace allow you to get your own mini desk fan?

 

[jimboalee]

As Steve Austin says, the cold water on wrist trick.

I learned this one from my mum who was a cook. It is to be done before handling pastry.

 

[ASC1951]

It is to be done before handling pastry.

Won't that just get all over his desk?

 

[Downward]

What happens sometimes with me is I will get to work, jump straight in the showerer, get dressed and 10 minutes later start sweating again.

The way I get round it is purely try and take your time on the way to work, maybe stop for a couple of minutes on the way or if not feasable just try to coast the last 5 minutes so you cool down.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'm with the other sweaty types on here too!, some people just do more than others.
I'm pretty fit, lots of cycling, swimming and gym but I'm still sweaty.
It's ok to sweat, it's just your body's cooling system - providing you haven't got a medical condition that causes excessive sweating I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ComedyPilot]

For a few poeple on here the tip to arriving cool is to 'back off' the power for the last 1/2 mile or so, and arrive cool and not out of breath.

 

[jimboalee]

Carbo loading TOO much.

 

[techgirl]

I guess everybody is different but what works for me is I cycle in half hour before I start work. As soon as I get in, I take off socks, shoes, gloves and watch (bare hands and feet make a difference for me). I spend 10mins cooling down by getting my desk ready and making tea. Then I go have a shower.

But it did take me about 6 months of trial and error to find what works for me.

When I started, I used to sweat copious amounts, its much much better now but I suspect that is due to my fitness level steadily increasing.

 

[andyfromotley]

Can i ask what yr journey to work is like? if its fairly flat i think the key is to allow plenty of time for your journey and just take it really easy. a gentle cycle should produce about the same 'sweat factor' as walking i would guess? If its hilly then youre gonna sweat i'm afraid. When it was really hot last week i set of half an hour early so i could just sit in the shade and cool down when i arrived at work before showering, it helped but wasn't pefect.

 

[jimboalee]

I guess everybody is different but what works for me is I cycle in half hour before I start work. As soon as I get in, I take off socks, shoes, gloves and watch (bare hands and feet make a difference for me). I spend 10mins cooling down by getting my desk ready and making tea. Then I go have a shower.

But it did take me about 6 months of trial and error to find what works for me.

When I started, I used to sweat copious amounts, its much much better now but I suspect that is due to my fitness level steadily increasing.

It is exposing your extremities ( feet and hands ) that helps most.