While most gym rats do their heavy work in the winter so they can show off in the summer, the dedicated trainers will continue their routines in the summer. Now that the official start of summer is upon us it’s time to review some safety tips that will help prevent exhaustion, dehydration and other common problems associated with working out in the summer heat.
Keep Fluids Up: The most important thing to remember when working out in the summer is to keep your body hydrated. Whether you in a gym or outside on a course, drinking plenty of water will help prevent dehydration. Try to drink before, during and after your workouts and stick to water. Many energy drinks are high in caffeine and sugar and this can be dangerous for your heart on a hot day.
Watch the Temperature: If you are planning an outdoor workout, such as running or biking, be sure to check the temperature, heat index and humidity before you head out. A good idea is to do you workout either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not at its peak. The most dangerous time to be outside in the sun is between 10 am and 2 pm. Also, if exercising outside be sure to apply a good amount of sunscreen since you are likely to perspire and this can lead to serious sunburns.
Get a Partner: If you are going to be doing intense workouts in the summer, whether at the beach, on a track or in a gym it’s always safe to have a partner with you. Heat exhaustion can come on fast and if someone is not with you it could be a very dangerous situation. While gyms will have staff on the floor you can’t expect them to always be watching you specifically and if you are suddenly overcome from heat or dehydration it can be a scary moment.