Ammonia sweat question
I have looked online a bit but not found a completely satisfactory answer for this rather gross question. Over the last year or so (coincidentally the same time frame I've been doing TriZones training ;-), I have been noticing that my shower smells like ammonia once in a while after a hard or long workout. I just figured somebody was using Windex on it (or something).
But then I started going to spinning class at my gym and, to my horror, about 30 minutes into the class if I grabbed my sweat-soaked towel it REEKED of ammonia. Nicole W. suggested it had something to do with nutrition, so I started experimenting. Instead of just drinking water, I tried a little sports drink (Clif Electrolyte Crisp Apple). That seemed to help, but not stop the whole ammonia thing. I kept increasing it, until finally the balance that stops it completely is 24 oz. sports drink the first half of class, followed by 24 oz. water. That seems like a LOT, but I am sweating like crazy.
Can anyone explain the mechanism of ammonia in sweat and tell me "what it means," if anything? Should I just let it run its course or am I doing the right thing by trying to stop it? Also, if anybody else has experienced this, I'd love to think I'm not the only freak out there!
--Sandra, NXNW
Oh & great question...
I'm curious to see the responses! :)
Nicole W.
Thanks Nicole!
I'm so glad you posted that—it explains a lot—including why the ammonia smell came back the morning after a night of, um, carousing (okay, margaritas). Dehydration! I'll be sure to eat breakfast before workouts and keep up the carb and (non-alcoholic) fluid intake.Â
google is great!
Glad that article helped, it seemed to be most informative out of the ones that pulled up. If you drink tons of water/electrolytes, the sweat will be dilluted so the ammonia smell won't be as intense. I've found that it helps to have the protein pancakes (egg whites & oatmeal) or another slow burning carb before a hard workout to actually prevent the odor all together. Maybe someone will suggest some great pre-workout snacks!? My PT says to have a little protein & fat with the carbs, but maybe that's more for lifting.  Just experiment & see what works, then do that on race day!   Â
Oh & don't forget your post workout nutrition, it's just as important! You'll find that you're eating quite often during training eh!Â
Nicole W.
Lost Polar Strap
Did anyone find a Polar chest strap after the Intermediates swim workout last night? I may have dropped it in the dressing room. Thanks! ~Mary
I have it.
It looked just like mine and I thought I probably dropped mine, since I always leave something somewhere. If you need it before next week, email me and Ill figure out a way to get it to you.
If I have seen farther than other (wo)men it is by standing on the shoulders of giants- Isaac Newton, physicist
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Try taking in carbs before your workouts!
Here's that long in depth article from Beginner Triathlete. This is a common issue among athletes. Since it would take more time to explain than post this link... here ya go:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=326
Hope this helps! Happy sweating!
Nicole W.