When summer hits, there’s just no escaping the heat. And the rising temps can make staying consistent with your workout schedule a bit of a challenge.

You can’t control the temperature, but you can control how you approach a workout when it’s hot outside. Here are a few ways that you can beat the heat by training smart:

1. Hydrate Properly

Training smart on a hot day starts with proper hydration. Drink plenty of water before, during and after a workout. You don’t have to drink gallons and gallons of water, but make sure you’re sipping water throughout the day. Take a water bottle with you to your workout. If you’re going to do a longer or high-intensity workout, it’s a good idea to supplement your water with electrolytes.

2. Listen to Your Body

When you train in the heat, your body must meet the demands of your workout and do some extra work to stay cool. The more you train in hotter temperatures, the more your body will adapt and acclimate to the environment. But you have to give your body some time for this acclimation to occur. As you adjust to training in the heat, listen to your body. If you feel like you can’t push as hard in the heat, know that this is your body’s normal response. Listen to that response, and don’t try to override it by pushing extra hard or going beyond your current limits.

3. Adjust Your Schedule

Another way you can beat the heat is by adjusting your training schedule. If you have the flexibility to do so, try changing up your noon workout to a class that’s earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Avoiding a workout during the hottest times of the day (if and when possible) will put less of a strain on your body.

4. Cool Down

It’s always a good idea to take time and cool down after a workout. But it’s even more important when it’s hot. After finishing a workout, take about 10 minutes to let your heart rate come back down. Use this time to rehydrate, stretch, and cool off as much as possible. A proper cool down will kick off the recovery process, so make sure that you give yourself time post-workout to maximize that recovery.

To learn more about Rhapsody Fitness in Charleston and our range of programs, get in touch with Team Rhapsody today.