Whether you're a professional athlete or just getting started on your fitness journey, the right athletic headband can make all the difference when achieving your goals. During intense cardio sessions, sweatbands keep sweat out of your eyes so you can stay focused and work hard without distractions. You have many things to consider when selecting a headband for your workout. Learn how to choose the right headband for intense cardio sessions.
Many Types of Exercise Provide an Intense Cardio Workout
Your heart works hard with every exercise you do. While some types of exercise fall within the “cardio” category, the truth is that cardio workouts go beyond running, spinning, and rowing. From high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to team sports, many types of exercise can give your cardiovascular system an intense workout.
High-Intensity Interval Training
High-intensity interval training is an intense form of cardio where you perform short bursts of vigorous activity and follow them with brief periods of rest or low-intensity activity. Your heart rate will skyrocket during HIIT, and you'll work up a serious sweat as you exert yourself.
Running
Running is a classic form of cardio that works the entire body. It can be taxing on your cardiovascular system, core, and leg muscles, making it perfect for working up a sweat while burning calories.
Racquet Sports
Racquet sports like tennis, squash, and badminton can make you break a sweat. The constant motion and fast-paced nature of these sports require quick movements and agility that can get your heart pumping in no time.
Rowing
Rowing is a great way to work your major muscle groups while getting an intense cardio workout. The rowing machine, or ergometer, also provides a low-impact exercise for those with joint issues.
Basketball
Basketball is an intense cardio workout that requires a lot of running, jumping, and quick bursts of high intensity. With all the constant movement and changes in direction, it's no wonder why basketball players are some of the sweatiest athletes out there.
Baseball
Baseball may not look like a cardio workout at first, but with all the running between bases and fielding balls, it's just as intense as any other sport. Plus, if you're playing in hot weather, you can expect to be sweating buckets by the end of each inning.
Football
Football is an intense sport that requires a high level of physical fitness. With all the running, tackling, and jumping involved, it's no surprise that football players have some of the highest sweat levels in any sport.
Soccer
Soccer is another cardio-intensive sport that requires a lot of sprinting. With all the back-and-forth action on the field, it's no wonder why soccer players are some of the sweatiest athletes out there.
Resistance Training
Although it is stationary, resistance training with weights will get your heart pumping because it stresses major muscle groups. Resistance training is a great way to get an intense workout and work up a serious sweat. Whether you're doing bodyweight exercises or using barbells, resistance training can be incredibly taxing on the body and will have you sweating in no time.
Why You Sweat So Much During Cardio
Sweat is the body's natural way of cooling down when it gets too hot. As your body temperature increases from physical activity, your sweat glands produce sweat; the sweat evaporates, carrying heat away from your body. Sweat exists to regulate your internal temperature.
Athletes tend to sweat more than inactive people because their bodies are used to working hard and producing sweat to cool down.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Sweatband for Intense Cardio Sessions
Once you've settled on the exercise you'll be doing, it's time to buy a sports headband. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a sweatband for your intense cardio sessions.
Material and Design
The material and design of your headband determine how well it keeps sweat out of your eyes and off your face. Moisture-wicking materials like terrycloth absorb sweat, but they can become saturated. When they’ve soaked all the sweat they can hold, the droplets will fall down your forehead and into your eyes.
The headband material can affect how well your sweat cools you off. Thick fabric headbands trap heat against your forehead and don’t allow sweat to evaporate quickly enough to provide the cooling effect it should.
Sweat Diversion vs. Sweat Absorption
Fabric headbands absorb sweat, while sweat-diverting headbands are made from lightweight plastic materials that adhere to your forehead and provide a channel to divert sweat away from your eyes. It rolls off to the sides of your face, where it can drip off, taking body heat with it.
Non-Slip Properties
Sweatbands for intense cardio workouts should have non-slip properties. This will ensure your headband stays in place during your workout and won't slip down your forehead. Look for an adhesive sweat-diverting headband or one with silicone grippers to guarantee a secure fit.
Compatibility With Helmets
If you're participating in a sport that requires a helmet, like biking, hockey, or skiing, then choose a sweatband that is compatible with helmets. You can make sure it stays in place during your workout and won't interfere with the fit of your helmet.
Veo Strips are sweat-diverting headbands that adhere to your forehead and don’t interfere with the fit of your helmet. That way, the helmet protects your head while the Veo Strip keeps stinging sweat out of your eyes and prevents blurry vision.
Hairstyles
If you have long hair, bangs, or a lot of layers, it's important to choose an athletic headband that will keep your hair out of your eyes while you work out. Keep in mind that a regular headband isn’t designed to manage sweat. You may combine a general headband with a sweat-diverting headband that adheres to your forehead and diverts sweat.
You can raise your heart rate and work up a sweat if you commit to your preferred workout and strive to get the most out of it. Choosing the best headband for an intense cardio workout involves decisions about the material, sweat diversion, cooling properties, non-slip characteristics, and compatibility with a helmet.
Veo Strips tick all the boxes, so order yours and give them a try! We’re confident you’ll prefer our sweat-diverting headbands over a soaked fabric headband. Then, you’ll be able to focus on your workout without worrying about sweat dripping into your eyes.