As temperatures start hotting up, you might find your usual workouts becoming a bit more difficult. But don’t worry; embracing the summer sun doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your fitness routine.
When the weather is warm, staying hydrated is as crucial as ever, and it’s important to slow down a little to avoid overheating and overexerting yourself.
Luckily, there are some great warm weather workouts you can do at this time of year. From refreshing water sports to invigorating indoor workouts, the experts from GymEquipment.co.uk share some warm weather exercises to help you stay active and beat the heat.
Walking
When it’s too hot to run or cycle outdoors, don’t underestimate the power of a good walk. Whether you enjoy a simple walk around your neighbourhood or head out to explore some of your local trails, walking is a great low-impact workout that you can easily adjust to suit the temperature and your fitness level. To keep as cool as possible, try to walk at the coolest times of the day, such as early morning or late evening.
Water sports
There’s no better way to cool down in the summer heat than by taking a plunge. Wild swimming is a seasonal favourite in the UK thanks to our many picturesque bathing spots — and this year, the UK is set to have a record-breaking 451 approved bathing spots, so you’re bound to find one nearby (GOV.UK). You can find a list of all the current bathing locations on the government website.
If wild swimming isn’t your thing, you could try kayaking or paddleboarding instead. These water sports are great forms of cardio and can help improve your arm and shoulder strength, too. Just be sure to wear the correct safety gear and follow any local safety guidelines and wild swimming safety considerations.
Yoga or Pilates
When the sun is shining, why not grab your exercise mat and head out for some yoga or Pilates? Both low-impact exercises are great for improving strength and flexibility. Better yet, they can also help promote relaxation, making them great workouts if you want to make the most of the sunny weather without overdoing it. To keep cool, find a shady spot such as under a tree or canopy, or head inside to a cool, well-ventilated room.
HIIT
Although you’ll be working up a sweat, HIIT workouts are actually a great option for hot weather if you’re looking for something more intense. This is because HIIT workouts are usually relatively short and include brief rest periods, so you’re less likely to overheat or overexert yourself.
To keep as cool as possible during your HIIT session, make sure to stay indoors and keep your workout space nice and ventilated. You can also increase the length of your rest periods if the temperature is particularly hot. Remember to stay hydrated throughout your workout.
Comment:
“While you might need to lower the intensity of your workouts when the temperature rises, you can still get active and enjoy nature with some outdoor exercises. When doing any exercise outside, try to aim for the coolest points of the day if you can. For instance, you could head out for a morning walk before work or cool down at the end of a day with some yoga or Pilates in the garden. Hydration is as important as ever at this time of year so be sure to keep a bottle of water with you while working out, too.
“If the temperature is too hot to work outside, an indoor workout such as HIIT or indoor yoga can be a great alternative. Keen fitness fanatics might even want to dedicate a space in their home for some exercise equipment. A garage can make a great home gym, as the structure already exists and the space tends to be much cooler than the rest of your home, even when the weather is warm.”
- Will Broome, Director at GymEquipment.co.uk
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