Wrestling is a very different sport in terms of preparation for matches and tournaments. Along with practices and constant repetition of drills and moves, wrestlers must also maintain a certain weight range throughout the season.
At the beginning of every season, each wrestler participates in a hydration test. The hydration test consists of a series of smaller tests to determine if the person is fit to wrestle. These tests also analyze body fat percentages in order to determine how much weight a wrestler can lose each week. When a wrestler reaches a minimum body fat percentage of 7% for boys and 12% for girls, the wrestler cannot lose any more weight due to competition.
The hydration test can be very stressful for wrestlers as they transition from a normal diet to a very strict diet. For this reason, wrestlers have resorted to, in some cases, very extreme methods of maintaining or losing weight. One instance is Joseph LaRosa, who was a wrestler at the University of Wisconsin. LaRosa brought a stationary bike into a sauna, wearing a rubber suit and a sweat suit, and rode the bike in an attempt to lose weight before a match. Due to the extreme physical exertion, he died. Since then there have been many rules put into place to prevent further incidents like this.
Dehydration, over exercising, calorie restriction, and fasting are just a few of the very bad habits that wrestlers can develop from trying to lose or maintain weight. Oftentimes, wrestlers feel that they would be better off at a lighter weight. However, most wrestlers put themselves through such rigorous workouts and diets that by the time they are at that lighter weight class, their body is in an extreme state of disrepair; thus, affecting their overall performance.
Cutting weight is very different compared to losing weight. Cutting weight is more short term, and the desire is to gain the weight back as soon as weigh-ins are over; thus, giving the wrestler a size advantage. The healthiest way to lose weight as a wrestler is to simply change your diet and exercise habits. This would drop your natural body weight down in order to prevent having to go through such strenuous circumstances in order to quickly drop the weight.
Cutting weight is one of the worst things you can do for your body. Oftentimes, wrestlers will go days without eating or drinking water. In some cases, wrestlers will even go without swallowing their saliva in order to reduce weight gained, no matter how miniscule. They will take laxatives or wear trash bags like a sauna suit. These are awful ideas. These unhealthy habits have become like an epidemic in the wrestling community. Thankfully, the NCAA, VHSL, and other sporting leagues have implemented policies to prevent athletes from adopting these habits.
