Yesterday, I completed my usual spin class, characterized by its soothing dim lights, only to feel a tap on my arm moments after stepping into the gym’s bright environment.

A fellow participant in my cycling class approached me to check if I was okay, which puzzled me until I caught a glimpse of my flushed, sweaty face and damp hair in the mirror.

Nevertheless, I reassured myself that my red-faced appearance was a small price to pay. After all, isn’t it true that sweating signifies a more effective workout?

However, according to Sam Quinn, the personal training lead at Nuffield Health, this may not be the case.

“There is a widespread misconception that sweating indicates workout intensity, but this is not always accurate,” he shared with HuffPost UK.

Sam clarifies that sweating simply means your body is trying to cool itself down.

This could happen if you’re pushing your body, raising your core temperature; however, how much you sweat varies from person to person and does not accurately reflect the effort you are exerting or the intensity of your session.

Factors such as your choice of clothing, the workout environment, underlying health conditions (like diabetes and hypothyroidism), body composition, cardiovascular fitness, and genetics can all influence how soaked our shirts become after exercise, according to the trainer.

As Sam noted, “Sweating isn’t a reliable gauge of your workout effort or effectiveness.

Instead, consider measuring your workout intensity through other methods.

“Evaluating heart rate, VO2 max, and keeping track of your workouts are established strategies to assess the efficiency and intensity of your exercise routine.”

If you often finish your workouts with little to no sweat, this might simply indicate that you naturally perspire less.

However, physical therapist John Gallucci mentioned to Healthline that not sweating after an intense workout can sometimes indicate dehydration.

“If you enter your workout dehydrated, your body may lack sufficient fluids. Since sweat is largely composed of water, inadequate hydration might prevent your body from sweating properly,” he explained.

That said, if you’re certain you hydrate well but still don’t experience heavy sweating during workouts, there’s no need for concern — your workout intensity might not require adjustment.

And for those who leave the gym soaking wet, it turns out that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a superior workout either (what a letdown).