Safe Summer Fitness

As the summer heat continues, so does the threat to our exercise regime. Here are some tips to make this a fit and safe summer:

  • Warm up for five to 10 minutes prior to any outdoor exercise activity. Your body needs to acclimate to extreme changes in temperature.
  • Build up your tolerance to summer heat by starting with small durations and slowly building with 10 percent increments.
  • Choose cooler times of day for outdoor exercise.
  • Combine outdoor and indoor exercise (e.g. Two mile outdoor run followed by one mile on the treadmill).
  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. And stay hydrated throughout the day. Of course the same applies to your children and pets.
  • Consume sports drinks to replace electrolytes when performing rigorous outdoor exercise beyond 30 minutes.
  • Always use sunscreen.

Of course, the most important advice is to listen to your body. Warm weather encourages outdoor activity. Take advantage of this motivation and safely improve your exercise routine.