Stay Safe with our Top Tips for Exercising in the Heat
Summer is a difficult time to exercise. Intensive heat, when coupled with excessive moisture, can prove to be quite risky. Excessive sweating can lead to salt and electrolyte imbalance in the body. Similarly, rigorous training can also lead to heat exhaustion and heat strokes.
Here are a few tips that will come handy while exercising in the summer heat.
1. Stay Hydrated
Always drink at least 8-16 ounces of water an hour before you step out for training in the heat. Severe dehydration can lead to nausea and vomiting. To avoid any such situation, always carry a bottle of water. Likewise, people working out in the summer season can keep their body properly hydrated by finishing every exercise session with a couple of glasses of water.
2. Maintain the Electrolyte and Salt Balance
Any irregularity in the electrolyte imbalance can lead to nausea, fatigue, and even hyponatremia. One can keep the electrolyte and salt balance in check by furnishing their regular diet with sodium and electrolytes with tablets, food, or sports drinks.
3. Avoid the Hottest Hours
Just because it’s summer, it does not mean you should stop training or exercising. However, one can always benefit by being careful. To avoid getting intensely affected by the heat, do not exercise when the day is hottest. The heat intensifies from 12pm noon, to the hottest point of the day being 3pm, then slowly cooling from then. Exercise in the morning or evening.
4. Dress Appropriately
Loose and light clothes allow the sweat to evaporate. When this happens, the body cools down automatically. Similarly, one should wear light-colored clothes while exercising in the sun. Light colors, in contrast to dark ones, do not absorb heat and thus, keep the body relevantly cooler. A hat can come handy — it will shield you from the negative impact of the sun.
5. Be Aware of Your Body
Before you start exercising in the sun, you must assess your body for any risks or medical conditions. Before you start working out, consult your doctor. Devise a regime that does not overtly exert your body.
If you are looking for a leading sports medicine expert in the Bay Area, you must pay Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht M.D a visit.
Dr. Halbrecht and his team have years of experience in treating sports injuries. He is also specialized in treating knee injuries. Whatever your problem may be, it is quite unlikely that you will come out disappointed.