When I'm exercising, whether it is at the gym, in a class, or outside, there are usually people working out around me. I can't help but notice that some people "sweat like pigs," and some are barely glistening. Why is that?

Sweating is your body's way of cooling itself off. And everyone has a different sweating pattern. How much you sweat is affected by gender, genetics, age, fitness level, and environment.

Humans can have between 2 and 4 million sweat glands - it all depends on what you're born with. The more you have, the more you'll sweat.

Women tend to sweat less because they are better able to regulate the amount of water they're losing. They also begin to sweat at higher temperatures compared to men.

Fit people sweat more efficiently by sweating sooner in their workout, when their body temperature is lower. However, a sedentary person doing the same intensity workout as a fit one will get hot a lot faster and possibly will sweat more.

Overweight people sweat more profusely than normal weight individuals because fat acts as an insulator that raises their core temperature.

Fit's Tips: Sweating is a normal body function for everyone. Unfortunately, some people suffer from excessive sweating, a common condition called Hyperhidrosis. Their bodies' faucets turn on and their palms, feet, back, and face become covered in sweat. If this sounds all too familiar, consult your doctor to see what treatment options are available.

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