Why You Shouldn’t Be Smelling Ammonia When You Train

If you’ve ever finished a hard training session and noticed a strong ammonia smell after exercise, your body is trying to tell you something. That sharp odour isn’t from sweat; it’s a sign you’re under-fuelled and breaking down protein for energy. When carbohydrate stores run low, the body starts converting amino acids into fuel, producing ammonia as a by-product.

At Total Endurance Coaching in Aberdeen, we use Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) testing to identify exactly how much energy an athlete’s body needs to function and train effectively. By understanding your true RMR and energy balance, we can pinpoint under-fuelling, correct nutrition errors, and build data-driven fuelling plans that improve recovery, protect muscle mass, and enhance performance.

If fatigue, poor recovery, or that distinctive ammonia smell sound familiar, it’s time to stop guessing and start measuring your metabolism.