My state is currently in a serious heat wave, with temperatures in the 90’s and humidity in the 70’s. But it is apparently a problem across several states, with some experiencing much higher temps.
I went out this morning to pick up some groceries and as soon as you stepped outside, it felt like you were being suffocated. But to my surprise as I was driving down the road in my air-conditioned minivan, I saw a woman jogging…ugh, no thank you.
Then later on I heard someone on the radio say that while there is a heat wave going on, you shouldn’t exercise. They even said you can skip the gym. Well it may not be safe to exercise outdoors but as long as you are inside an air-conditioned gym or your own home, its fine.
So is it really safe to exercise outdoors when it is hot and humid? Most would agree that you should stick to indoor exercising but you can still do it as long as you keep yourself properly hydrated. You also don’t want to be outside really long. Instead of walking an hour, cut it down to half an hour. But be sure to have plenty of water on hand.
Keep in mind that when you sweat, your body is losing electrolytes and this can lead to muscle cramps. In severe cases, it could even lead to irregular heartbeats. This is why it’s vital that you are drinking water constantly, not just when you “feel” thirsty. It may be too late and you might already be dehydrated. You want to avoid getting to that place.
You should also stick to a time of day where the temperature and humidity is at its lowest, such as early in the morning or the late evening hours. Working out in the middle of a scorching hot summer day is probably not a good idea.
As for me, I will continue to exercise during this heat wave but you will only find me doing it indoors.
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Photo by mikebaird on Flickr