Tanning and execising...

Does tanning before exercise seem to make the process harder to anyone? For some reason it seems to make me have less energy....I was wondering if anyone knows the proticall behind tanning and exercising or any science behind it?

Tue. Sep 12, 3:53pm

hello your under high tentisty lights as you lay there and bake away for a nice tan today and leather skin and cancer tomorrow. YES tanning can zap your energy before a workout. Why are you are you tanning anyways it's so bad for your health and skin? Like I said "tan today leather skin and cancer tomorrow"

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 4:16 PM

i agree. i'd rather look young and pale than old and tan. why not try self-tanning lotion? it's like when you lay in the sun all day-you are tired. except that with the tanning bed, you are exposed to 2 to 3 times as many uv rays in the same amount of time as you would be exposed to in natural sun, so my guess is that it is more draining. you know that you are actually baking your skin, right? like when a turkey's skin turns brown in the oven. same thing....

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 4:19 PM

oh my god this is the worst thing you could possibly do before a workout. Not only, as the ladies above have posted, are you wrecking your skin (opt for the mystic tan, 40 bucks a month makes it the same price as the medium UV beds)... but you're already subjecting yourself to heat and sweating... so while you're not physically doing anything, your body has already been dehydrated and you're already getting heat exhaustion whether or not you feel it... so to add the workout on top of that is like asking you to go run outside in 100+ degree heat for 20-30 minutes before doing your regular workout.

I only know this because I've been picked up off a treadmill two or three times and never again have I tanned before a workout. If you're addicted to the beds, as I'll admit I have been known to be... reward yourself with a bed-rest AFTER you work out. Who cares if you're sweaty, just give the bed an extra wipe when you're done.

don't destroy all of your hard work with habitual bed tanning! I do the spray on tan and then maintain once a month with a high power bed. Once a month, that's it... and I still use SPF on my face, hands and feet.

Good luck!

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 4:25 PM

To the 4:25 poster. How can you say that tanning is so bad,but then tan once a month? Are you saying that tanning occasionally is ok? All tanning is bad for your skin, period. You wouldn't tell someone that smoking is ok if you only do it occasionally, would you? Just thought I'd voice on that since it made no sense to me.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 6:22 PM

6:22- wow you're obviously a great reader... the previous person did admit:

"If you're addicted to the beds, as I'll admit I have been known to be... reward yourself with a bed-rest AFTER you work out"

just because she tans too doesn't mean she doesn't know the negative effects of it. and she made no comments about the skin, she credited everyone else with that topic. the topic wasn't about skin, the original question was how it effected exercise, and i think she did a good job giving her opinion of how tanning before workout decreases the effectiveness of a workout BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. how else would you expect someone to give advice... blindly?

read a little better and come back when you have something constructive to say.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 6:44 PM

Hi, 4:25 here again.

the previous person did a great job defending my post... thank you!

I was merely discussing the actual topic of tanning before working out and how physically draining it can me... not the obvious bad effects of UV exposure to the skin.

I was just answering her question and using my personal knowledge to give my opinion. That usually takes personal experience. so shoot me. I wasn't judging her for using the bed to tan, I was telling her how awful it is for a workout.

And in my defense (and hers), 15 minutes a day of UV exposure increases vitamin D production, which is essential for calcium absorption... so if I lie in a bed for 12 minutes a MONTH I don't think i'm killing myself... especially since I actually wear spf all over on a daily basis. It's also a seratonin booster... i suggest you try it and improve your mood.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 6:54 PM

OK let's put the claws away. It looks like we're all agreed that the OP shouldn't be using the tanning bed for UV reasons. I agree with 4:25 that it's also a killer for workout energy and that IF YOU MUST DO IT, then do it afterwards and try to cut back and find some of the alternative options to getting darker skin and hopefully your better workouts will lead to results that will improve your self confidence to the point where your skin tone isn't an issue and you'll start taking better care of it.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 7:08 PM

there are a lot safer ways to get your vitamin D. if you are that desperate for it, get a medilight. it gives you the benefit of the sun without the risk of skin cancer. i used to tan and i am so sorry I did it. my skin is ok but not as young looking as i would like it to be.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 9:49 PM

tanning is great in moderation

Tanning helps muscle growth, as well as althernating hot and cold shower (1 minute hot, 30 seconds cold (2 times)). Tanning gives u vitamin D and is not bad for your skin. Moderation is key as in most aspects of life. Tan 3 times a month, and you'll be golden (no pun intended).

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 12:53 PM

oops

oops, forgot to mention, only tan after lifting, it will dehydrate you and drane your energy

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 12:53 PM

Huh? Tanning helps muscle growth...and hot and cold showers? Where did you hear that from? I regularly read health/fitness articles and I've never heard of that. Maybe you mean being tan makes your muscles look define..which is why at body building competitions they're all baked looking. I'm wondering..can you get vitamin D from a tanning booth..isn't the real source where you get it? Finally, my main concern is tanning. Just don't tan at all. However, a little sun won't hurt you and is healthy for you (15 min a few times a week).

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 1:20 PM

I am really concerned about 12:53. This does not sound healthy at all and yes, tanning is bad for your skin and your heart

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 4:01 PM

Tanning helps muscle growth??? What planet or bubble are you living in? There is no evidence of any such thing. Its a known fact that tanning bedsare bad for your skin and eyes and heart. Does anyone remember the 2 ladies who died on the beds about 10 years ago.

Oh and by the way I think you meant "it will dehydrate you and DRAIN your energy" not drane...

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 5:19 PM

Tanning is bad for your heart? What are you tanning with, a microwave?

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 5:37 PM

I dont know about anyone else here but I want to be tan and sexy! Natural, bottled, or bed... either way! To each their own and quit being tanning Nazi's that is not what the OP asked.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 6:54 PM

I tan too. About 3x a month. Love it! It loosens up tight muscles & makes you feel so good too. Just dont burn yourself

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 11:15 PM

1:20 here

11:15 and 5:54: A bottled tan is fine and a little sun is good for vitamin D. However, tanning is the worst thing you can do. One day you will completely regret saying that when you hear that you have skin cancer, especially melanoma, which is on the rise. It can kill you. In fact, my grandfather died of it.

Thursday, November 1, 2007, 2:19 AM

I work out and tan

I have been working out and tanning now for the last 3 months. I moved back to Minnesota from Florida about 5 months ago. The first two months I hadn't gotten much sun, not like I did living on the beach in Florida. I used to run in the sand a mile or so, work out in the rec center of my complex and then lay out on the beach for an hour or so. I miss this so much, and working out then laying in the tanning bed for 10 minutes or so helps improve my mood greatly. If i miss a couple of days due to work or whatever, I can tell and so can my co-workers.
Please don't preach to me about skin cancer or old looking skin, etc. I am an adult and I can make my own decisions. This is America and I don't like being told I shouldn't do this if it is bad for me. I know it is, and I will have to deal with the consequences should I have any. IT goes for those people who smoke, they know it is bad for them, but they do it anyways.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 1:38 PM

2:19 here

Wow that's sad if you still do not care about the consequences of tanning on a regular basis. If your mood depends on if you have sun, then you must have a problem. I think people, such as myself, just want to warn those that expose themselves to UV rays. Perhaps the day you find out that you have melanoma will be the day you regret what you just said. It's better to stop now than never. My dad has had basal cell carcinoma a couple times, which increases one's risk of getting melanoma, and he had to have a mole biopsied and now has to continue to watch that mole if it changes. In addition he sees the derm twice a year or so for check-ups. Why would you risk putting yourself through that? Is it worth it?

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 2:33 PM

Ki

Why would you risk eating all the bad things you do? Or drink things, or speed, or......

Us adults weigh risks, behaviors, consequences all day, every day and make decisions about our lives.

Are only 'perfect' people allowed here on PT? Do YOU want a lecture on the health consequences of over eating? People such as myself might be compelled to share opinions on overeating and lack of excercise...

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 3:15 PM

There are SOOOO many things we all do that we know we shouldn't! It's the imperfection of being human :)

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 4:04 PM

To the 2:33pm poster - yes, it is a problem when one's mood depends on whether or not they get sun. There is a name for the disorder, and it is very common - it is called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Not sure if that's spelled right, but it is referred to as SAD for short. Lots of people become depressed or irritable if they do not get enough sunlight. It is a real enough disorder that many insurance companies will cover the cost of a sunlamp, which you can purchase and keep in your home. It isn't a tanning bed; it won't make you more tan. But it is supposed to alleviate the symptoms of SAD.

Maybe the 1:38pm poster could look into that, if she wants to stop tanning but is concerned about her mood. Or maybe she wants to keep tanning. Either way, if she knows the consequences and is an adult, then it's her decision.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 4:59 PM

The day is coming soon when we will all be paying for our poor decisions, not only in poor health but to our insurance companies.
I am all for it- if as an "adult" you make such poor decisions and become a strain on the medical system- you shoul dpay more for your insurance then you can tan and smoke as much as you want.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 8:49 PM

2:33 here

3:15- I never said I was perfect, but purposely tanning is one easy thing one can do to avoid skin cancer. Also, just because I'm on this site doesn't mean I'm unhealthy. I swim, walk, take cardio classes, and lift weights. In addition, I eat pretty healthy compared to most ppl in this country-- I look at labels, eat whole grains, etc. The reason I'm on here is b/c I've gained some extra weight in the last few years due to dealing with anxiety/depression from using food to cope. I admit that is my downfall but I've been doing pretty good now.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 9:47 PM

OP Here...

Wow, I posted this thing forever ago and it's funny to see it pop back up out of no where. Thanks to those who have answered my ACTUAL question and who refrained from acting like bickering children or lecturing parents. This was posted about a year ago and I have quit tanning since then only because I moved farther from my salon and it's too much of a hassle to go...I've tried the bottled stuff and it just doesn't give you the same glow or confidence. When you're in college, unfortunately all the girls are bronzed and beautiful and you feel pressured to keep up...sucks. Now my plan is to get skinnier so I won't mind being pasty. :)

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 10:58 PM

9:47 here

Yeah I'm in college as well (4th year), but huge majority of the girls here aren't bronzed (by the way, bronzed doesn't mean you're beautiful. I find a lot of girls who go for that fake-bronzed look to be unattractive..they're really pretty but they're wayy too tan). And I live in CA and there's that whole stereotype about the people who live here. College isn't HS anymore so forget trying to "keep" up. I know what you mean...I figure having a fit body will make up for being "pasty" lol.

Thursday, December 13, 2007, 2:44 AM

Yes, but it is my opinion that they are bronzed and beautiful. I think being tan is gorgeous and personally would like to be tan if I could...

Thursday, December 13, 2007, 5:27 PM

turkey lady

You are clearly not very well educated. Don't say things if you don't know if they're true. OVENS DON'T CONTAIN UV RAYS!! Haha baking a turkey is different than tanning, silly goose (;

Saturday, April 24, 2010, 10:46 PM

Herhump

I believe also that a person has a choice to choose to or not to tan. No body her wanted an opinion on what side effect that tanning has. By the way the sun has the same harmful effects, and you don't alway know how much sun you are being exposed to. Like most people do not know this but you could get more sun exposer on a cloudy day then a sunny one due to the light refractions in the clouds. at least in a tanning bed you can control how much exposer you are getting. Beside everything that a person could possibly use now a days causes cancer. Underarm deodorant, hair sprays, etc. In the world we live in there is many more things to be concerned with then someone else tanning. I believe if this person wanted to hear a naggy mothers opinion she would have asked a mother in person. However i am on this site to try and find out the same question as the original question being asked. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO WORKOUT IF YOU TAN? I am at a gym where i can tan and work out currently i am tanning in the mornings before noon then going again to work out in the late afternoon is that a good plan or not? Tanning is a choice and I choose to do what makes me happy and i am very fit i work out regularly and eat healthy. i am in college and i dance in Florida for NDA nationals, and i still want to TAN!

Friday, May 14, 2010, 2:23 PM

Herhump

OH and to add yes light exposer does put you in a better mood. If you havent noticed on your own read a book. when people are sad check out the weather is it nice and sunny or dull and rainy. if people stay in dark areas in long amounts of time they are liable to sink into a depression. however, light things and even working out both put you into a better mood. Thats your endorphins going to work DUH!

Friday, May 14, 2010, 2:30 PM

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