Whether you ride your bike on the boardwalk or just go for a swim to beat the heat, there are so many outside activities to help you stay fit. Besides the sun’s harmful rays, the muggy heat can be a downside to long summer days. It’s important to be cautious during the heat. People can suffer heat stroke and dehydration, among other illnesses. Working out in extreme heat also causes an inhibited performance, so it is important to stay hydrated. Here are five helpful tips to stay cool while exercising in the heat.
Number Five: Stay hydrated. Keeping hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Consistently drinking water during your workout will keep your muscles working hard throughout the heat and help your workout last longer. Make sure to keep a water bottle with you the whole time. A wet rag wrapped around your neck will keep you significantly cooler as well.
Number Four: Go early or late. Sunshine and getting a nice tan are the some of the benefits of exercising outside in the afternoon. However, the heat and humidity will ruin your workout after only a few minutes. Instead, try exercising outside before 10am or after 6pm. These times are ideal because the sun will either be rising or setting and the temperature will be significantly cooler.
Number Three: Seek shade. Summer activities that last all day are inevitable. Sometimes you just need a nice day down at the beach or hiking along a trail. If you happen to notice your body overheating, seek out shade as soon as possible. The air temperature will be the same, but without the sun beating down, your body has a chance to cool off.
Number Two: Try water sports. Switch it up a little, and try exercising in the water for a change. Love running? Try swimming on a sweltering summer day. Water activities burn twice as many calories than if you were to exercise on land. Exercising in the water allows you to work out twice as hard because your body can keep a cool body temperature.
Number One: Sweat. Even though this might seem gross, don’t wipe that sweat away. Sweating is your body’s way of cooling down. Wiping that sweat away doesn’t allow your body to naturally cool down.