It’s that time of year, so we need to be thinking about how to manage our workouts and other activities in the heat. There are several things you can do to make it through the hottest workouts:
- Hydrate – This is always first on the list. Robert Voy, the former chief medical officer at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, recommends six ounces of water for every 20 minutes of activity, but more is even better.
- Listen to your body – We push ourselves hard at CFA, but that doesn’t mean we should throw caution to the wind. Look for the signs that you need a rest. If you feel like you’re overheating, take a break, get some water, and get to a cooler area.
- Look out for others – Keep an eye on your fellow athletes. Sometimes we don’t realize we’ve overdone it. If you see someone who shows signs of heat exhaustion, encourage them to cool off.
- Eat good meals – This is especially true during the day of your workout. Lean, balanced meals will help fuel your body.
- Getting a good night’s sleep – This is underrated and will help your body handle hardships like a tough workout in the heat.
If you’d like to learn more, here’s a good article in the CrossFit journal on the subject.
