# How much do you sweat when you swim? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2005, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003 "2005-06-20T05:29:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003/1 "2005-06-20T05:29:18Z")
I was in a _heated_ pool this afternoon trying to incorporate some treading water into my weekly cardio routine for the first time. Water was just warm enough to be comfortable upon immersion. I treaded water for about 20 min. and was wondering how much fluid (sweat) I lost during the workout. I can usually tell from a jog or a bike ride, but I really could not tell how much fluid to replace as I went for a drink. Not a huge deal, as several hours later (now) I am beginning to “feel” like I did indeed lose close to the equivalent of a jog or bike ride indoors but I was just curious if there was some knowledge about this out there. Not sure if you could do a study on this or if people just know from experience or theory… wow, the low-impact nature of the water sure does feel GREAT compared to terrestrial activities! ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003/2 "2005-06-20T05:31:16Z")
I want to make clear I am not asking for a numerical answer, more just in terms of kW/hours compared to above water atmosphere activities. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003/3 "2005-06-20T05:45:53Z")
FWIW, the label of the bottle of Gatorade I’m drinking right now sez that swimmers lose 2-3 cups of sweat per hour they train. ---
**Author:** ![Sarah\_Woodruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sarah\_Woodruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah_Woodruff)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003/4 "2005-06-20T07:57:23Z")
All I can offer is the fact that, as a serious lap swimmer, as soon as I get out of the pool I start sweating profusely and feel as heated up as though I’d just done a gym workout. It’s strenuous cardio exercise, but it’s taking place in an environment which lowers your body temperature (the pool). What this means in terms of perspiration fluid loss I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003/5 "2005-06-20T16:41:18Z")
Let’s put it this way-- they never have to add more water to the pool. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003/6 "2005-06-20T19:07:36Z")
> [@Cagey Drifter](#): > > Let’s put it this way-- they never have to add more water to the pool. :eek: EEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW !!! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-sweat-when-you-swim/309003/7 "2005-06-20T21:19:12Z")
Weigh yourself before and after.