Keeping fit when it’s so hot outside can be a huge challenge. Exercising is hard enough as it is, let alone when you’ve got the full force of the sun bearing down on you. Luckily, if you’re looking to stay active during the summer months without passing out from the heat, there are plenty of things you can do.
Choose the right time of day
For starters, choosing when to workout is incredibly important during those hot summer months. If you’re not checking the weather reports regularly, you might end up regretting it. You want to get a good idea of when the temperatures are going to be more manageable, which is generally at the beginning and end of the day. It might be necessary to adapt your schedule during the summer to allow you to workout at these times so that you can keep up your fitness.
Exercise in short bursts
Trying to do a lot in one go is only going to wear you out, especially in hot weather. It could increase your chances of passing out or becoming dehydrated, which may end up being incredibly dangerous. Your best bet is to do very short workouts that will get your blood pumping but won’t have you going too hard in the heat. If possible, it might be a good idea to exercise in small bursts several times throughout the day, rather than all at once.
Alternatively, do less strenuous exercise so that you’ll maintain your energy for longer. Sometimes, you only have one hour available to exercise, so you want to make the most of that time.
Keep drinking water
Whenever you do physical activity, it’s essential to have a bottle of water by your side. It keeps you hydrated and prevents you from passing out. However, you shouldn’t only be drinking water when you exercise. During the hot summer months, it’s important to keep your intake of water regular throughout the day as you’ll likely be sweating more often. By doing this, you’ll avoid getting headaches or feeling dizzy while exercising, because your body isn’t dehydrated.
Exercise indoors
Don’t have a membership at your local gym? Maybe now’s the time to invest in one. Any gym worth its merit should have an air conditioning unit, so you’ll feel a lot more refreshed while you’re running on the treadmill or lifting weights. This will allow you to keep up your usual routine without having to worry too much about the heat.
Find places that are cooler
When it’s burning hot outside, you yearn for anything that will cool you down. That spot of shade can be a huge relief, especially when you’re exercising. Try and find a wooded area or somewhere with a lot of shade to make the most of its cooling effects. Alternatively, move your workout routine to somewhere along the coastline (if there’s one nearby). While it might not keep you out of the sun, the temperature will be much more manageable thanks to the sea breeze.
Wear the right clothes
When you workout in the summer, it’s essential that you wear the right clothes. While this might mean wearing as little as (legally) possible, it also means choosing clothes made from the right materials. Anything that is lightweight or breathable is ideal for this time of the year because it will keep your sweat from sticking to your skin. That does a lot for helping you to stay cool, so if you don’t own any clothes like this, now’s the time to go out and buy some.
Summer is always a difficult time of the year to exercise in. Just like winter can be too cold, summer feels far too warm to get your blood pumping like this. However, as long as you take the right precautions and don’t push yourself too far, there’s no reason why you can’t keep up your fitness in the scorching heat.
