How to exercise safely during a heatwave – 6 hot weather workout tips

Summers have been very different over the past few years especially with the explosion of COVID. Now that we are getting more of a hold on things and the weather is more blazing than usual, people are looking to get outside to soak up some sun. Many want to even exercise in these excruciating temperatures which can be dangerous. Read more below for safety solutions regarding working out in the extreme heat from Metro News.

From Metro News:

After last year’s sorry excuse for a summer, the weather gods seem to finally be smiling down on the UK with heatwaves galore ahead.

Soaring temperatures are set to hit over over 30°C inLondon this week – perfect conditions for perfecting that beach bronzed bod.

However, for fitness fanatics, runs and outdoor workouts may have already become a tad more tricky as the mercury rises. And, exercising in extreme temperatures can actually be dangerous.

So, Metro.co.uk has looked into exactly how to exercise safely when the sun’s beaming in the sky and it’s far hotter than usual.

Here’s everything you need to know.

How to exercise safely in the sun and hot weather

Exercise early or late at night

‘Exercising in the early hours of the day has many advantages, it’s quieter, it’s before the busyness of the day begins, and it’s a lot cooler,’ Elliot Hasoon tells GolfSupport.com.

‘Set your alarm earlier and complete your workout as early in the day as you can to ensure you avoid the higher midday and mid-afternoon temperatures.’

He suggests that if you’re not an early bird, waiting until the sun goes down will be your second-best option.

‘It won’t be as cool as it is in the AM, but the heat will be considerably lower allowing you to train without too much trouble,’ Hasoon, founder of EH Coaching and host of The Simply Fit Podcast, adds.

Hydrate

Elliot says that one of the biggest concerns to look out for when training in the heat is dehydration and maintaining ‘optimal fluid balance’.

‘As we exercise, our body’s core temperature will naturally increase resulting in us losing bodily fluid through sweat,’ says Elliot. ‘The heat will increase our temperature further leading to even more fluids being lost through exercise.

‘You should drink about 250-300ml 30 minutes before your session, you should continuously sip water throughout the workout, and ensure that you drink between 500ml-1L post workout.’

David Wiener suggests drinking around 10 glasses of water each day in the summer months, rather than the usual six to eight.

He also says you need to be mindful of avoiding electrolyte imbalance.

‘Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, all play vital roles, such as maintaining fluid balance, muscle, and nerve function, regulating blood pressure, among many more,’ Elliot adds. ‘So, you can supplement with electrolytes to help maintain this balance.’

Reduce session times or split them up

‘If you have no choice but to train in the heat, it’ll be worth reducing the time you’re exposed to it,’ says Elliot.

‘The longer you’re outside, the more chance you have of becoming dehydrated and experiencing the negative impacts of the heat.’

Elliot says if your workout is typically one hour, three times per week, perhaps you can try 30-minute sessions instead, and do them five or six times per week.

‘So you complete the same amount of exercise but reduce your exposure by 50%,’ he explains.

‘You could also look at splitting up your workouts, perhaps you can carve out 30 minutes in the morning to get the first half down before the sun rises and you can then wrap up your session later in the day.’

Forget your PB

It can be tempting to continue challenging yourself, regardless of the weather.

However, David, training specialist at fitness app Freeletics, states: ‘Exercising in the hot weather puts an extra strain on the body, so it’s important to know your limits, and pay close attention to your body and what it needs.

‘It’s also really important to remember that the heat will affect your workout, so don’t push yourself too hard, and take regular breaks so that your body can cool down and you can take on water.’

Dress appropriately

‘Function over fashion is key if you’re training outdoors in the heat,’ says Elliot.

‘Wearing lighter coloured, sweat-wicking clothes will be favourable. Not only do we want to focus on keeping our core body temperature lower, but we also want to ensure we’re comfortable too.

‘The heat will already be an element of discomfort and you don’t want to add poorly fitting attire on top of this too.’

And, David adds that heat-friendly fabrics: ‘Can help you avoid the skin irritation, breakouts, or heat rashes.’

You should also consider your accessories and consider carrying a bum bag that holds water, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Elliot also advises applying sunscreen before you head out to exercise to stay safe in the sun.

Listen to your body

Elliot says that your body may still struggle to adjust to the heat even when you follow all of these tips to the letter.

‘Listen to your body and the signs it gives you,’ he says. ‘If you feel faint, dizzy, or simply too hot, stop.

‘Start with shorter workouts, longer rest periods and lower intensity sessions. You can increase the intensity as your body adapts. Initially just focus on keeping yourself as healthy and safe as possible.

‘The transition will take time so be patient with your body and continue to eat and sleep well to support your body as it adapts.’

‘It can be dangerous to push yourself hard in extremely hot weather, when you’re not accustomed to it,’ says Doctor Clare Morrison, GP and medical advisor at Medexpress.

MORE : New study finds best time of day to exercise to burn fat

MORE : Simple lunchtime exercises to boost brain power, according to a Pilates instructor

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

This post was originally published on here