Running In A Hoodie: A Good idea?

Whether or not a runner wears comfortable and proper running attire when training is an important part of the sport, one of the worst running experiences is feeling uncomfortable while trying to complete a long run. Some people wear hoodies (also known as a running sweatshirt) when running, whether in the hot or cold, to increase their core body temperature, making them sweat more.

Running in a hoodie can help detox your body from toxins or reduce water mass as quickly as possible.

The lost weight is only temporary because it is predominantly water mass and is not a healthy calorie-burning method for long-lasting weight management and loss.

People who often desire to increase the amount of sweat produced while running comes from an understanding that sweating more means burning more calories and losing more weight. There have been various opinions regarding the accuracy of these methods and whether they are effective.

When Were Hoodies Invented (a little history)

The modern-day hoodie as we know it today was invented in the 1930s in the United States. The hoodie was originally designed by Champion to keep athletes warm and dry while they trained outdoors in colder weather. The design featured a hood and a front pocket, which allowed wearers to keep their hands warm.

Does Wearing A Hoodie While Running Burn More Calories?

The best way to lose calories as fast as possible is to consistently increase your heart rate for a set amount of time. One of the signs of an increased heart rate is sweating. Sweating is a physical sign of your body working hard and your heart rate at higher levels.

Running in a hoodie does not equate to burning more calories. The extra layer will cause you to sweat more, losing water, not fat.

Adding a thicker and heavier clothing layer, like wearing hoodies, to your body while running will enhance how much you sweat. It will cause you to sweat quicker into your run and for a longer time.

The material of the hoodie acts as a layer of insulation for your body. This extra layer causes your heart rate to increase, and your blood begins to circulate throughout your body faster to reduce your body temperature.

It is true that the more you sweat, the more you lose water. This water mass loss will show immediate signs of weight loss on the scale, but it is only temporary. A warmer body, increasing heart rate, and increased sweating do not equate to burning extra calories.

It would be great if burning fat were as simple as wearing a hoodie and sweating a lot! There has been vast research that proves that sweating during a workout has minimal to no effect on the number of calories burnt or the amount of fat lost.

The way calories are burnt through exercise is based on the energy output in the workout. It is common for runners wearing hoodies to spend less energy on their run because of the mental effect of sweating and the extra heat under the hoodie.

Often runners feel tired quicker or think they have worked hard enough based on the extra sweat when they have spent less energy than they would have without the hoodie.

Although running with a hoodie may provide the instant results you want on the scale that day or week, the weight loss will not last long. The lost water mass will return when you hydrate yourself and refuel your body properly.

You may be also be interested in another article covering if running with a backpack burns more calories.

The Important Difference Between Weight Loss And Fat Loss

The scale has become the measuring beacon for success for many people aspiring to lose weight. The problem comes when people associate weight loss with fat loss and only measure their results based on the number on the scale.

The number on the scale represents your overall body weight, which is made up of many different contributors. Losing fat is a much more specific goal than losing weight.

When people talk about losing weight, they generally talk about reducing the excessive fat levels in their bodies.

Running with a hoodie does not contribute to the goal of burning fat in your body. Instead, excessive sweating causes you to reduce your overall weight by reducing the water mass in your body.

Most weights lost through sweating are regained within 24 – 48 hours!

The best way to burn fat is to get your muscles working harder and to spend energy in your workouts. Wearing comfortable clothing for working out will help push your body further than your normal comfort zone. You can do this without giving yourself reasons to believe you are finished prematurely!

The right way to burn fat is to ensure you are burning more calories through exercise than you gain through eating. You can do this healthily and sustainably, strengthening your body instead of straining your body.

What Are The Benefits Of Wearing A Hoodie While Running?

Although running in a hoodie may not be good for burning calories and losing fat, there are other benefits to wearing hoodies in certain situations.

You may be drawn to the benefits of looking good and feeling more fashionable while running, or maybe feeling more like Rocky Balboa from the movies while working out. However, the most legitimate reasons to run with a hoodie are based on the goal of detoxing or losing water mass.

Here are a few of those benefits:

Helps with warm-ups. Wearing a hoodie during the warm-up before a workout or a run helps warm your muscles and body temperature up quicker and more effectively.

It helps your body sweat, which can be good when trying to release and detox from toxins and make working up a sweat easier.
Keeping your body warm during warm-ups and warm-downs by wearing a hoodie can increase insulin sensitivity and nutrient delivery due to better blood flow from being warm.
Wearing gym hoodies can benefit you in the long run when running in extremely cold winter conditions. The hoodie can help keep your body warm and shield you from the wind.

Is Running In A Hoodie Safe?

Running always presents a risk of injury or fatigue. Running with a hoodie has its risks and safety cautions.

When running with a hoodie, the biggest dangers are heat stroke, dehydration, and over-exhaustion.

It is best to choose a hoodie made from performance materials that help allow sweat absorption and don’t soak up the sweat, making you feel heavy and wet.

If the hoodie does not fit properly, it can sometimes affect your movement and mobility and make you uncomfortable while running.

It is important to listen to your body when running in a hoodie. Your body will tell when something is wrong or you react negatively to running in a hoodie.

If you start to feel dizzy, weak, lightheaded, nauseous or have serious struggle breathing, stop running immediately and remove the hoodie.

These are basic symptoms of your body reacting to the heat from the hoodie and excessive sweating, which can cause rapid dehydration.

Dizziness and nausea are common when a runner is becoming dehydrated or over-exhausted. The hoodie causes your body to overheat and sweat more than usual.

It is good to consider wearing a thin and light shirt underneath your hoodie. If you need to remove the hoodie, you have breathable material underneath to help return your body temperature to normal as fast as possible.

Conclusion

Running in a hoodie has its benefits and is not necessarily bad; however, it is important to use wisdom and educate yourself on why you want to run in one. The evidence suggests the main reason for wearing a hoodie while running is for fast weight loss through temporary water reduction or to detox your body quickly.

Many professional sportsmen and women use this method to reduce weight fast before sporting competitive events. Still, it is always advised to ensure you are fully aware of the risks when running with a hoodie.

There are so many great options of running attire that can match any weather conditions or training requirements. Comfort and breathable material are what you are looking for when getting dressed for a run!