How to Exercise in the Heat
South Louisiana is known for its hot summers, and with COVID-19 some people are still hesitant to head back to the gym, leaving them few options but to exercise outside in the heat. If you are new to exercising, read our blog post about how to start exercising safely.
So how can you workout outside in the hot summer months and avoid heat stroke, or heat exhaustion? Here are a few tips:
- Stay hydrated. As you exercise, you sweat but when you exercise outside int eh heat, you sweat even more. Make sure to drink plenty of water before you exercise and during your workout to avoid dehydration.
- Wear light colored clothing is thin or moisture wicking fabrics. There are many athletic brands available now that offer light weight fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin helping ot keep you cool. Choose light colors because light colors reflect more light than dark colors, which also helps to keep you cooler.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen. Exercising outside in the sun is a great way to soak up that vitamin D, but make sure to be safe by wearing sunscreen, especially if you are fair skinned or burn easily.
- Know your limits. While getting in that extra mile at the gym may not be a big deal for you, doing so outside in the heat may not be such a good idea. Listen to your body. If you are dizzy, stop sweating, or feel ill, stop.
For more information on heat stroke warning signs read out blog post about What is Heat Stroke?