Unfortunately, some wrestlers struggle to meet the weight requirements for the particular weight class they are attempting to wrestle at. In an effort to loose weight prior to a meet many wrestlers will engage in weight loss tactics known as cutting weight. This has resulted in tragic consequences for some wrestlers. It is a dangerous method of loosing weight prior to a meet. However, there are ways for wrestlers to maintain or loose weight in a healthy manner allowing them to compete in their weight class.

For any wrestler it is a good idea to start by finding a comfortable body weight. This is a weight that can be maintained without drastic changes in diet and level or amount of exercise the wrestler engages in during the course of a normal day. Once you have found a comfortable weight you should try to stay as close to that weight as you can when you are choosing a weight class. Going up or down in weight can be dangerous if it is not done properly. Wrestlers that cut weight generally damage their body through dehydration, overheating, or simply depriving your body of nutrients.

Dehydration is one of the most common problems wrestlers suffer from when trying to cut weight. Wrestlers try to loose weight quickly reducing the amount of water in their bodies. To accomplish this some wrestlers will wear rubber or plastic body suits causing the body to sweat profusely. This cause the body to loose water, and because the wrestler does not replenish the lost supply of water the body is left with less and less water. The use of diuretics can also cause the body to become dehydrated. Dehydration causes headaches and thirst at early stages. As dehydration increases so does the symptoms. One’s heart rate and respiratory rate increase, the skin becomes dry, and sweating ceases. Finally, as dehydration increase the symptoms become more intense such as lethargy, dizziness, seizures, and fainting. Death can occur in cases where 15% or more of the body’s water is lost.

Overheating is another risk associated with cutting weight. In an effort to cut weight wrestlers might work out in extremely hot rooms, or add clothing to increase their body temperature. Working out in a hot environment wearing two layers of sweat pants and sweat shirts can create an extremely dangerous situation. Overheating or hyperthermia can be fatal in some instances. Hyperthermia can cause head aches and lowered blood pressure. As hyperthermia increases, the symptoms become more severe such as fainting or dizziness, increased heart rate and respiration rate. Finally those suffering from hyperthermia loose consciousness or enter a coma. Death may follow as the body’s organs shut down.

Depriving your body of nutrients is another dangerous way to cut weight. A lack of nutrients is usually the result of not consuming food for extended periods of time. Wrestlers trying to cut weight will not eat any food in an effort to loose weight quickly. When the body is not supplied with food to make energy fat cells are used to power the body. This causes a loss of weight, but because the metabolism is slowed so much by the lack of food this is a very inefficient method of weight loss. Without food the nutrients and energy the body gets from food cause starvation. This can lead to many diseases and even death in severe cases.

It may seem like cutting weight for one or two days is not a risky method of making weight for a meet or tournament. Dehydration and starvation can take a long time to reach a level where death is a possibility. However, dehydration, starvation, and hyperthermia combined can become lethal very quickly. Forcing your body to perform when you have not eaten and are wearing layers of clothing in a hot room is a dangerous combination. This can cause serious damage to your body, or even death. There are ways to loose weight and maintain and healthy comfortable weight without exposing yourself to the dangers of cutting weight.