is it better to exercise in a warm room?

Question

our aerobics class teacher sets the air conditioning very low in the room so that it is very warm while we are exercising and we are sweating profusely. I was wondering if this is actually better for us because I sometimes feel I get exhausted from the heat and not on the exercise. Also, I am wondering if one actually burns more calories because of the heat.

Answer 1

HOT IS BAD: If you exercise, your body is going to get hot anyway. If you exercise in a hot room, you are at risk of sweating too much and getting dehydrated. That can kill you.

COOL IS GOOD: If the room is just a little on the cool side, your body has to work a little harder to keep your body temperature up. A little bit of shivering can burn up a lot of calories, which can help with weight loss.

Either way, drink lots of water to keep properly hydrated.

Answer 2

Some people say that a warm room is better because teh cold will contract your muscles, giving higher incidents of strains, pulls, etc...

But it also gives a higher chances of overheating. Usually there is a happy medium around 72 degrees (+/- 3 degrees)

Answer 3

If you are perspiring, that means that you are dehydrating. That is NEVER a good thing.

I played High School football. The Coach gave us salt tablets to help us to refrain from sweating.

Sweating may be a fast way to lose weight, but, it puts the body into "self-preservation" mode. It will acclimate to the new situation and start storing even more water thinking there is going to be a drought. Same with food and dieting, ie, famine-excess weight gain.

Answer 4

I think she sets it low to conserve on electricity. I would think that 72 degrees is what it should be set at. She may be thin and prefer a warmer setting. Over weight they tend to se the AC at a very cold setting.

Answer 5

Best results are achieved in a airy room,well ventilated or in open area in comfortable temperature.Admiral V K Singh