5 Tips for Safely Taking Your Fitness Routine Outdoors this Summer

Summer is the season forheading outdoors for family fun, food and even fitness! But before you lace up your sneakers for a summer sports league, 5K race or even a friendly neighborhood volleyball game, it is always important to think safety first. Take into consideration the following five quick tips before heading outdoors
this summer so that you, your family and friends can all have enjoyable,
injury-free summertime fitness experiences.

Tip 1: Beat the Heat

When you move your workoutsoutside, the local weather forecast quickly becomes your No. 1 planning tool,especially when summer temperatures climb the barometer. Generally, the hottestpart of the day is between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. so it is wise to plan your outdoorworkouts either in the morning or evening hours when the sun and heat aren’t asintense. What you wear also can be more important when you workout outsideversus indoors, as loose fitting and moisture wicking clothing material canhelp increase ventilation and keep your body cooler in warm weather.

Tip 2: Drink to Compete

Your body needs adequateamounts of water to maximize fitness performance throughout the year, but whenthe temperature rises in the summer, hydrating appropriately is vital to yourbody’s overall performance, endurance levels and survival. Don’t wait untilyou’re thirsty to drink water – stay hydrated by drinking water consistently all day long.

Studies show that you mustreplace a total of 2.4 liters of water each day in your body, both through thewater you drink and the food you eat. About 60 percent of the human body ismade up of water and approximately 83 percent of the bloodstream is water. Thebody’s bloodstream is essential to metabolizing the carbohydrates and proteinsyou eat to fuel your muscles, transporting waste material out of your body andcontrolling your body temperature.1

Tip 3: Be Prepared for the
Unexpected

No one likes to plan for theworst, but when you exercise outside, there are some essential safety tools youneed in your possession that can make the difference between a simple mishapand a full-blown emergency. For starters, a cell phone is important to bringalong in case you become injured, run into an emergency situation during yourworkout or simply lock your keys in the car. Bringing your cell phone along,though, doesn’t mean you can’t disconnect from technology during your workout –silence your phone and stow it away in a pocket or bag so you aren’t tempted to check your e-mail while doing a plank or set of box jumps. You don’t have to see it, but it’s there if you need it.

Whether it’s cloudy or sunnyduring your workout, you need to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin each timeyou step outside to get your fitness on. While sun rays provide essentialVitamin D nutrients your body needs, over exposure also can lead to sun spotsand cancer. Enjoy the sun, but protect yourself appropriately.

Finally, a simple first aid kit should always be in yourpossession, whether it’s in your workout bag or in your car. You never know when you might scrape your knee running bleachers, cut your foot on a piece of glass left on the sidewalk or endure an unexpected bee sting. You may run into varying obstacles when exercising outdoors, so it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected.

Fitness Together Belmont

Waverly Square

30 Church Street

Belmont, MA 02478

617.484.9048

www.FitnessTogether.com/Belmont

ftbelmont@fitnesstogether.com