It's Hot! Stay Safe With These Exercise Tips
By Genevieve Cunningham
When it's hot outside, exercising outdoors is probably one of the last things you feel like doing. Unfortunately, exercise is necessary, and sometimes going outside is our only option. Maybe you don't have access to a gym, don't have time to commute, or simply can't find a good place indoors to break a sweat. When this happens, it's extremely important to keep yourself safe during your workout. How? Through a bit of preparation and a few smart choices. To keep yourself safe and healthy during your hot weather workout, take a look at these tips to start today.
Get in the Shade
When it's hot outside, it can be several degrees cooler in the shade than in direct sunlight. If you want to work out outside, just make sure the shade is plentiful. A big tree, the shade of a building, a canopy or tent -- anything that creates shade can make your workout much more bearable. This may take a bit more planning, but the end result -- a much more comfortable sweat session -- will be worth a little forethought and planning.
Drink More Water
When we're in a hot environment, our body tends to sweat more in an attempt to cool down our overall temperature. While this can be very helpful in keeping us cool, it can quickly turn into dehydration if we're not diligent about replacing the water we lose. Any time you're working out -- but especially outdoors -- make sure that you're drinking plenty of water. This will provide you with multiple breaks throughout your workout, and it will also help you stay hydrated and healthy. This is a crucial part of an exercise routine and your health as a whole.
Take Breaks
The heat makes everything harder. You're likely to get out of breath and feel fatigue faster when you're outside in the elements. To help with this problem, make sure to plan frequent breaks. This allows you to catch your breath and lower your body temperature before beginning again. The hotter the temperature is outside, the more breaks you should plan on taking. And while on break, make sure you're sipping on water to keep yourself hydrated. This is a really simple thing that you can do to protect yourself in the heat while still getting in an effective workout.
Exercising outside can bring an additional challenge to your routine. It makes everything just a little bit more difficult. It pushes you just a little bit harder. But since you're out in the elements and the heat, it's crucial to stay safe. Use these tips to protect yourself and your health while enjoying a solid exercise habit in the great outdoors.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Henderson, Nev.