5 No Nonsense Tips for Exercising in the Heat

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to take care of yourself when exercising in the heat. Here are five basic tips, some you may already know – they’re just a reminder to take care of yourself!

1. Get acclimated – if you have a race than promises sultry weather try to travel to your destination ahead of time to get acclimated to the temperature if possible. Depending on the temperature change it can take 14 days to get used to the heat.

2. Stay hydrated – we can’t emphasize this enough, your body regulates its temperature by sweating and if you don’t have enough fluid in your system you can’t sweat which means you cannot regulate your temperature. Nobody wants to say it but if you go 4-6 hours without eliminating then you’re dehydrated.

3. Take it Easy – if the temperature is over 90 realize that it may not be your best workout and be good with it, you’re out there. Do your best and as your body gets used to warmer weather your performance will get better.

4. Be Crafty – wear light breathable clothes like our Craft line, get the moisture away from your skin and let your skin breathe. If you wear a protective hat during the summer, take it off during rest stops to let your head breathe and cool off. If you don’t wear a protective hat, remember that you NEED sunscreen for your scalp as well as the rest of your body!

5. Be Smart – use common sense, if you start feeling bad get inside to lower your core body temperature. Don’t start something new or try a new route if the day looks particularly steamy. Wear the right clothing and protect your skin with sunscreen. Most of all keep putting in all the liquid you’re sweating out.

Workout right and you’ll be as happy at the end of that run as the beginning! What are your summertime exercising tips?

Fitness Tip Of The Week: 5 things NOT to do when exercising in the heat:

Think NO PAIN/NO GAIN – in the heat listen to your body’s signals, if you feel ill, stop and cool down. All heat related illnesses come with warning signs, make sure you are aware of yours!

Use sweating to lose weight – sweating only contributes to losing water weight not weight loss. Use exercise and a good diet for weight loss.

Think you don’t need fluids when swimming – swimming is just like any exercise; you need to replenish fluids after a swim workout.

Jump right in front of the air conditioner after a long workout on a hot day. Try to cool down slowly, take some ice cubes and rub them on your wrists and the back of your neck.

Exercise during the hottest part of the day – the countries that take siestas during the hottest part of the day got it right, if you can plan your exercise routine in the cooler morning or evening hours your body will thank you!

Remember that it takes time for the body to become acclimated to hotter temperatures. When the weather gets hotter, take a week and exercise carefully listening to the signals your body is sending. It will help you run stronger during those dog days of summer!

Have you checked out our fuel belts? Take your water with you! What are your tips?