Summer Workout Fun!

It feels like you’ve been waiting centuries for summer to arrive, thinking of the warm breeze blowing through your hair and the sand beneath your toes. It’s almost as if the time has snuck up on you as the temperamental spring season has finally ended. Let’s face it, in the past months, you would have totally gone for that long, overdue run if only the weather had been nice. But now that warm weather has arrived, the extreme heat and humidity can make it difficult to spend any time outdoors, let alone exercise.

If you haven’t already begun getting yourself bikini-ready, today’s a good day to start! Throughout this post, I’ll illustrate my top 5 things to remember when working out this summer. Whether you live an active lifestyle or are currently working towards a healthier lifestyle, there’s something you can take away with you from this. Summertime is fun, and your workout should be too!

1. Eat Healthy

On those crazy hot days, who wants to come home and slave over a hot stove? Unfortunately, this attitude contributes to over-eating and making unhealthy food decisions. Rather than enjoying something fresh or homemade, you’re visiting the local fast food restaurant. Since the weather is so nice, you’ll probably want to spend much of your spare time outdoors. To stay on top of your diet, you’ll need to pack your own meals that can be carried on the go. Of course, this requires a little bit of extra effort, but it also means having more control over what you eat and having the advantage of being able to control your portions and choose more nutritious foods.

Adding supplements to your diet can help you to reach your workout goals more quickly. If you’re looking for high-quality products, I suggest trying PurePharma. Currently, Fitness Town carries PurePharma O3, M3 and D3, which are considered some of the purest supplements on the market.

If you’re always on the go, I suggest finding a meal prep method that works for you. Some people find it easier to prep a week’s worth of meals on one day to eliminate the need to do it every day. For those who just hate cooking in general, try to find something that will make creating healthy meals a much more enjoyable experience. This could be getting your kids to join in or a cooking tool that does the hard work for you.

2. Stay Hydrated

When thinking of weight loss, most people often forget about the importance of staying hydrated. Drinking water allows your body to clean out your system and keeps your body moving throughout the day. During a workout, it’s very important to have a glass before, during and after your workout.

Make sure to drink fluids during exercise, especially if you’re exercising outdoors or in a hotter climate. The goal is to stay hydrated without over-hydrating your body. For those who aren’t fans of water, I recommend slicing up some lemons and adding some flavour to your water. As an alternative to water, you can switch to a sports drink if you exercise for more than an hour.

3. Protect Your Skin

During the summer, the sun beats down on us, and it can make an impact on our skin. If you are taking equipment outdoors with you, ensure you have lubed up on sunscreen or sunblock. Many people use the words sunscreen and sunblock interchangeably. However, they are two entirely different forms of sun protection. Sunscreen is more common and filters the sun’s UV rays to keep most rays out, but it also lets some in. Sunblock reflects the sun’s rays from the skin and blocks the rays from penetrating the skin. Ultimately, it comes down to preference as to which type you use. Many brands are now beginning to mix both sunscreen and sunblock in their formulas. To prevent sunburn, I recommend using sunscreen or sunblock that is at least SPF 30. When thinking of working out, ensure you have selected a sweat-proof type to prevent it from irritating your eyes.

4. Wear Proper Active and Footwear

It’s flip-flop season, meaning summer is in full swing. Unfortunately, when it comes to doing fitness outdoors, flip-flops should not be your ideal choice. They’re great for a day out at the beach, but if you’re planning to go on a hike or for a run, proper footwear matters. Today there is a variety of light, breathable runners available. If you’re looking for a shoe that will stand out, Fitness Town carries a variety of Inov8 runners that are designed to get you moving.

Exercise often

When it comes to clothing options, cotton is unarguably one of the most comfortable options. However, during the hot months or an intense workout session, it acts like a sponge retaining your body’s moisture. No one wants to smell like a giant sweat ball, right? To prevent this, I recommend choosing a loose-fitting polyester/cotton blend instead or a breathable synthetic fibre material.

5. Always Keep Moving!

The summer heat can drain the little energy you have left at the end of the day. If you live in a place without air conditioning, you can understand the intense frustration and irritability of being hot all the time. An over-the-top hot day can make anyone, even fitness enthusiasts call off a workout and instead turn into an air-conditioner-loving couch potato. But if you want to improve your fitness this summer, you’ll have to get up and move. Just because you’re trying to get yourself in shape, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all that summer has to offer. Whether that is lounging by the pool or going for a relaxing picnic, you can have some fun in the sun. However, it does mean that you should be making healthy choices and continuing to have an active lifestyle in front of your mind. When was the last time you tried rollerblading or riding your bike? Perhaps take the kids down the park and kick a soccer ball around and seize every opportunity for activity.

As the days get hotter, it’s important to listen to your body. If you are overwhelmed by the heat, try gradually working your body to be comfortable in your current weather conditions. Every day gradually work out longer in the heat to prevent fatigue or sunstroke. This will help you to find a balance and the amount of time you can tolerate outdoors.

The Benefits of a Gym at Home

If you’d like to escape the heat, try working out from home. A home gym is a cost-effective method that allows you to stay active from the comforts of home. Fitness Town carries a variety of fitness equipment to reach your workout goals. If you’re looking to do cardio, speak to one of our Fitness Town Experts on whether a treadmill, elliptical, bike or another product is right for you. With one of the largest selections of high-quality name-brand equipment, we’re confident you’ll find something you’ll love. Don’t sacrifice your health this summer; listen to your body and stay hydrated. Regardless of where you choose to work out or what season you’re in, the key to fitness success is to…

Have fun in the Sun while staying fit and active!