3 things I don’t recommend to my clients, as a women’s coach. Part 3

Using breathlessness or sweating as an indicator of a good session

Many of my clients who used to attend gym classes like Body Pump didn’t feel like they were working hard enough when they started strength training, where there are fewer reps and more rest between sets. Yet they never achieved the results they wanted from those classes.

In fitness classes, you typically work in higher rep ranges, doing lots of repetitions with minimal rest. This feels intense and can leave you breathless and sweaty.

Strength training is a different challenge. We usually focus on fewer repetitions, but with a higher load. You lift heavier weights and focus on performing movements efficiently and with good form. Not all exercises will make you sweat, and that’s not the goal.

The real indicator of effort is how the last reps feel.

This is when it clicked for one of my clients. She said she felt ready to go again soon after finishing a set because she wasn’t out of breath or sweaty. I asked her whether she could have done more reps immediately after finishing. She said no, because her muscles felt tired.

That’s the key. The last repetitions should feel hard to complete with good form and control. That’s how you know you’re working hard enough.

That doesn’t mean you won’t sweat during heavy squats or back exercises. I sweat a lot too, especially around my period. But how much you sweat depends on many factors like genetics, hormones, and temperature. It’s not a reliable measure of how effective your workout is.

So don’t use sweat as your benchmark for a good session ☺

If you have any questions, you can reach me on Instagram @marzena_personaltraining