Summertime is here! But where there's summer fun, there is also the blazing sun, high temperatures, and A LOT of that "wonderful" Carolina humidity.
While we all love the sunny days and the chance to enjoy outdoor activities, it's essential to understand how the summer heat can affect your workouts. Don't let the scorching weather put a damper on your fitness goals!
In this blog, we'll explore the impact of heat on your body, share tips to help you stay safe, and suggest summer workout alternatives to keep you active and motivated.
How Heat Impacts Your Body
Exercising in hot weather can pose several challenges to your body that can negatively affect your workout.
When outside temperatures rise, your body has to work harder to regulate its core temperature. This will cause your heart rate to increase and make you start to sweat.
Making your body go through all this extra effort to stay cool can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke if you aren't careful. That's why it's crucial to listen to your body, properly prepare yourself, and adapt your workouts accordingly!
Tips for Hot Weather Workouts
When it comes to working out in hot weather, we need to make staying safe our top priority. Exercising in high temperatures puts additional stress on your body, so it's crucial to take extra precautions. Check out these four essential tips to help you stay safe and avoid heat-related issues during your workouts.
Time It Right
Plan your workouts during the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late evening, to avoid the peak heat. This way, you can still enjoy outdoor activities without subjecting yourself to extreme temperatures.
Dress for Success
Opt for lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking clothing that allows your skin to breathe and sweat to evaporate, keeping you cooler during exercise. Although you might want to still reach for those leggings or that hoodie to stay covered up, don't let your insecurities make you overheat! #weartheshorts
Need to update your summer workout wardrobe? Check out the O2 Shop below so you can rep your gym and look fresh all summer long!
Stay Protected
Just like working out makes your heart and body healthy, we can't forget to keep the largest part of us healthy (aka our skin!) Don't forget to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to shield yourself from harmful UV rays. It's essential to take care of your skin and eyes while enjoying outdoor workouts.
Stay Hydrated
Take extra measures to ensure you're well-hydrated before, during, and after your workouts. Drink plenty of water to replenish the fluids lost through sweating. Consider bringing sports drinks with electrolytes for longer or more intense workouts and outdoor activities!
Summer Workout Alternatives To Try
If exercising outdoors becomes too challenging due to extreme heat, here are some fantastic summer workout alternatives:
Indoor Workouts
Escape the heat all together and head to air-conditioned fitness facilities like O2 Fitness Clubs, where you can enjoy a wide range of exercise options, including strength training, cardio, studio fitness classes, and more! That way, you can stay cool while achieving your fitness goals.
Water Workouts
Embrace the refreshing, cooling benefits of water with activities like swimming, aqua zumba, or paddle boarding! The water provides a low-impact workout, which makes it a great way to stay fit while keeping your body cool.
Early Morning or Late Evening Walks
Enjoy the beauty of nature during cooler times of the day by going for a short walk or jog in your local park or neighborhood. Breathe in the fresh air and get your heart pumping while avoiding the scorching midday sun.
Remember, the summer heat doesn't have to derail your fitness routine. By understanding its effects, taking necessary precautions, and exploring alternative workout options, you can continue to stay active and make progress towards your fitness goals all summer long.
Stay safe, stay hydrated, and have a fantastic summer filled with enjoyable workouts! Let's make the most of this season while taking care of our bodies - Happy sweating!
Leave A Comment