By Joaquin
This is an email I wrote to my list. If you would like to receive these weekly educational and motivation emails, then email me at getfit@elitefitnessdowntown.com and I’ll add you to the list.
“Sweat is just fat crying.”
Funny meme. Great punchline. But let’s clear something up: sweating doesn’t mean you’re burning fat.
There’s a real misconception out there—especially in gyms—that the more you sweat, the more fat you melt away. Not true.
Back when I worked at Bally and LA Fitness, I saw it all: people wrapped in sweaters, jackets, and those foil-looking sweat suits that resembled trash bags. They were determined to “sweat the fat off.” I’d walk up, kindly explain that this method doesn’t work—and could actually be dangerous.
They’d look at me like I just insulted their grandma’s cooking. Eyes glazed over, waiting for me to leave so they could keep sweating in peace.
But I kept repeating the message, even if it made me the annoying guy in the gym. Why? Because I’ve seen the consequences firsthand.
Remember the story I told about saving a member’s life at LA Fitness? He was trying to sweat off fat by using the sauna and then exercising, and repeating that a few times. It didn’t work. What did happen? He collapsed. I stopped during the middle of my break, I missed training my next client, because I was on the floor trying to save his life. The OC Fire Department gave me a lifesaving award for it.
So yeah, I take this seriously.
Here’s the truth: when you force your body to overheat unnecessarily, you’re risking heart failure, organ damage, and more. Think of your body like a car engine or a computer—if it overheats, it crashes.
Sweat isn’t fat crying. It’s your body’s emergency cooling system kicking in to prevent death. That’s evolution. That’s why we’re the dominant species. Animals pant. We sweat. But that doesn’t mean we should abuse it with silly sweaters and trash bag suits.
Now I know what you’re thinking:
“But Joaquin, I saw it on TV—Rocky did it!”
Sure. Boxers and wrestlers use sweat suits to drop water weight before weigh-ins. It’s not fat loss—it’s dehydration. And it’s done under strict supervision.
For the rest of us? That extreme isn’t necessary. Losing water weight won’t help you fit into those jeans from 10 years ago. Sorry, but the old-school method still wins:
Nutrition. Resistance training. Cardio. Mobility. Time.
And while we’re on the topic—yes, it’s hotter than hell right now. But don’t swing the pendulum too far. Cranking the AC and working out in a cold room can lead to cramps, muscle tears, or ligament injuries.
The sweet spot? A workout environment that’s warm enough to keep your body loose, but not so hot that you’re risking heat exhaustion.
That’s where I live. That’s where I train. That’s where results happen.
