Weight cutting

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Weight cutting is the practice of fast weight loss prior to a sporting competition. It most frequently happens in order to qualify for a lower weight class (usually in combat sports or rowing, where weight is a significant advantage) or in sports where it is advantageous to weigh as little as possible (most notably equestrian sports). There are two types of weight cutting: one method is to lose weight in the form of fat and muscle in the weeks prior to an event; the other is to lose weight in the form of water in the final days before competition. Common methods to cut weight include restricting food intake, water-loading, and perspiration through exercise, wearing a sweatsuit, and/or sitting in a sauna.^[1]

Nutritional experts rarely give advice on how to cut weight safely or effectively, and recommend against cutting weight.^[2] However, many athletes choose to do it because they wish to gain an advantage in their sport.

Dieting[]

In addition to improving performance through healthy eating, some athletes will seek to lose weight through dieting and aerobic exercise. By losing fat they hope to achieve a higher "strength-to-mass ratio" or "lean weight." This means more muscle and less fat, and should theoretically give them an advantage against other athletes of the same weight.

See also[]

• Human weight
• Weight loss
• Eating disorder
• Dieting
• Healthy eating
• Dehydration
• Rehydration
• Aerobic exercise
• Strength training

References[]