It’s finally summer! Well, it was, for at least a few days… and hopefully it returns for some time this August. With warmer temperatures, you may be feeling some lag in your workout, or you could be feeling lethargic (spending too much time in the beer garden?) so we thought we’d supply a bit of motivation for exercising in warm weather!
In the summer months, we recommend getting in some exercise prior to breakfast, when the air is still fresh and cool. At boot camp we love an early morning burst of activity to really set you up for the day.
Exercising in the cool hours of the morning can make you more alert throughout the day, and it means you don’t need to sweat through a hot, sunny workout later (enjoy a salad in the back garden, instead!) Plus, exercising in the morning can kick start your metabolism and encourage your body to continue burning fat throughout the day!
If you do need to exercise in the heat, here are a few things to watch out for, and tips to keep in mind:
- In hot, humid weather (you’re at least likely to find one of those conditions in England…) it’s harder for your body to cool itself down, because your sweat can’t evaporate off your skin as easily. To combat this, wear ‘wicking’ fabrics made for sporting activities, which allow moisture to evaporate off your body more easily than cotton.
- Drink plenty of water before and during exercise. Supplement your increased water intake with drinks that contain electrolytes, since sweating will deplete your body of electrolytes.
- Don’t stray far from shade if it’s especially warm. If you’re exercising out in the sun, build up your tolerance by starting off with shorter sessions. Don’t forget sunscreen!
- It helps if you acclimate to the hot weather gradually, so your body gets used to adjusting to the extreme. However, with heat waves likely to come in spurts, this may be difficult. At the least, just try to make sure you’re transitioning from an air conditioned, cold body temperate to hot extremes. Warm up thoroughly if this is the case.
- We won’t usually say this, but…. Eat more salt! You need to replace the salt you’ve lost through sweating more than usual to prevent heat exhaustion. Be smart about your salt, though! Olives, seeds and nuts are good options.
As always, listen to your body while exercising. If you’re feeling lightheaded or nauseated, stop, rest and drink some water.
Now that you know how to stay safe while exercising in the heat, get out there and enjoy the sunshine while it’s here!
