Working Out in the Heat
Depending on where you live, you might be going through a summer heat wave right now. While the hot, hot weather can be great for relaxing, hitting the beach and even doing some exercise, it’s very important that you take some precautions during extremely hot weather. This is especially true if you’re exercising.
Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind when you’re exercising in the hot heat.
Avoid the Hottest Part of the Day
If you’re planning on exercising outside during the hot summer weather, try to avoid doing so during the mid-afternoon, which is often the hottest part of the day. Whenever possible do your workouts during the early morning or later towards the evening, when it’s cooler. Of course, the hottest part of the day depends on where you live, so keep this in mind.
Drink Water
Don’t just drink water when you’re already very thirsty. Also, don’t just drink it when you’re exercising. It’s important to drink water throughout the day as well as before, during and after exercise. Carry a bottle with you and drink frequently.
Do Shorter Workouts
When it’s very hot and sunny outside, you might want to reduce the time of your workout. Instead of exercising for an hour straight, for example, why not try three 20-minute sessions instead? This will give you some time to recover from the summer heat. Even one short workout is good.
Listen to your Body
It’s always important to listen to your body when exercising, but especially during hot summer days. If you feel weak, light-headed, dizzy or otherwise unwell, take a break. Continuing to push yourself when you don’t feel well can be very dangerous. Not only is it okay to cut your workout short if you feel bad, but it’s important for your health to do so.
Know when to go Inside
On some days, it will simply be too hot to exercise outside. Check the weather report and use it to determine if today is one of those days. If it is, come up with some exercises that you can do inside. You can either hit the gym, work out at home or change to a cooler activity. For example, swimming is not just a good way to cool off, but it’s also great exercise!
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