Do you think that exercising in the heat is good for your health? Have you ever tried exercising in a hot environment, such as exercising in saunas or even in a hot tub? If you have, you probably found that it's hard to keep focused and that you almost get burned out quickly. And if you've done it before, you might be wondering if it's something you should do in the future.
Heat can actually be good for you, as long as you don't overexert yourself. For example, exercising in a hot tub can be good for your circulation and for relaxation, but not if you overexert yourself. Exercising in high temperatures and/or in humid conditions can cause heat-related illness and can increase your risk of infections. If you already have an existing medical condition, such as asthma or COPD, exercising in high temperatures or in humid conditions may make your condition worse.
A heat index, which is a standard measure of how warm it is outside, may help you figure out the temperature your body type will feel comfortable at. It takes a little research, but it's well worth it to avoid heatstroke or hypothermia. The table below shows the GHS and CMH (combined monthly heat index and daily humidity) for the cities you live in. The lowest temperature on the table is for the city with the highest average temperature.
Keep in mind that when you're doing your exercise in the heat, it's important not to overexert yourself. Be conservative about how long you exercise and remember to cool down after your workout. Exercising in hot weather causes your core temperature to rise faster than usual, which can make you dizzy or tired more quickly than usual. Consider getting an exercise class or talk to your gym's fitness staff to find out when the best times to exercise care in your climate.
If you're not sure when the best times to exercise are in your area, talk to a doctor or visit your local gym. During the summer heat, many people exercise more because of the temperature, so it's always a good idea to pace yourself. On days when temperatures are higher than usual, be especially conscious about the amount of exercise you need to do. If you exercise too much, your body will be exhausted before you even complete your workout. The same goes if you skip your workout entirely.
As you work up a sweat, take a moment to consider what you're wearing. Many forms of clothing can make you more easily hydrated. For instance, shirts with light material will allow your skin to breathe easier and a cotton t-shirt will absorb water better than any other type of material. In addition to choosing a more breathable shirt, make sure you take time to wear sunscreen and other protection to avoid catching sweat on your skin.
Another factor that can affect how you exercise is your heart rate. When you exercise in high heat, your pulse rate increases. High pulse rates are known to have serious health consequences, including heart attacks. To protect your heart from increasing its pulse rate at an alarming rate, it's important to control your heart rate through various means, such as diet and physical activity.
Lastly, another way to combat heat acclimatization is to eat less salt. Eating salty snacks can help decrease your sweating. The logic behind this food suggestion is simple: the body needs a sodium reduction to combat the rise of sweat. Salty foods raise the level of water in your system, which, in turn, causes the body to increase the production of sweat. Eat less salty foods to combat this problem.
