As the summer of 2020 proves to be one of the hottest on the record, even the most serious and committed athletes have trouble leaving the comfort of their air-conditioned homes for a grueling workout in the heat. Let’s face it; exercising during the summer months is no joke, especially when the safest place to exercise due to COVID-19 is outdoors, but the outside temperatures regularly near or exceed 90 ^o . Alternatively, you can choose to exercise in the gym, but wearing a mask can make a workout ten times harder. To help athletes exercise safely this summer, we have compiled this short list of common months about summer workouts. 

At first glance, it makes sense to shed as much of your clothing as socially acceptable ahead of a run. The less clothing you wear, the cooler you’ll be, right? Not necessarily. 

Our skin is like a sponge when it comes to the sun’s heat — it will absorb as many UV rays as possible and make you feel even hotter. Therefore, wearing adequate clothing can actually help keep you cooler and avoid a nasty sunburn. 

The trick is to wear light and bright clothes that reflect UV rays. SWEAT IT OUT® with COOL COMPRESSION® Technology has a variety of compression apparel that’s perfect for hot weather exercise. COOL COMPRESSION® Technology was designed to absorb moisture faster, allowing the body to remain close to its core temperature of 98.6 ^o even in the hot summer. 

The other thing to keep in mind is that hot weather puts so much stress on the muscles that it can cause them to break! Wearing the appropriate compression gear can decrease the risk of cramping or pulling a muscle. 

SWEAT IT OUT® with COOL COMPRESSION® Technology provides maximum support and maximum flexibility all at once. No matter which way you move, the groin support pants and hamstring compression shorts fabric follows effortlessly, all while providing your muscles with the necessary support to reach peak performance. In fact, these garments are scientifically proven to reduce swelling and improve accuracy of movement, whether you’re working out at home, outside, or in a gym. 

It’s good (necessary, in fact) to stay hydrated in the summer, whether you’re working out or not, because water helps replenish the fluids your body is sweating out. However, you don’t want to drink too much water. 

Overhydration will slow you down just as much as underhydration. Listen to your body and drink enough to satisfy your thirst, but don’t overdo it. 

“It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.” 

It’s an old saying, but it holds a lot of truth. Heat and humidity, though often used interchangeably, are not the same thing. High humidity levels indicate that there is more moisture in the air, which affects our ability to sweat. Since sweat is the body’s natural cooling mechanism, it’s extremely important in regulating our internal temperature. Exercising in humid conditions can increase the body temperature enough to make a workout feel uncomfortable at the very least and dangerous at worst. 

Make sure you check the heat index and humidity levels before you begin exercising, so you can adjust your workout routine accordingly. 

Here’s a hint that will take the stress out of your summer running or workout routine: wait for the sun to go down! Late morning and throughout the afternoon is the hottest time of the day, so it might be in your best interest to run early in the morning or the evening when it’s cooler. 

It’s not easy to exercise during the summer months because the heat puts extra stress on the body, which is why even something as simple as a short run feels like slow torture. However, if you push yourself hard enough to acclimate your body to the hot weather, you can reap the benefits all year long!

Numerous studies have shown that exercising in hot temperatures can increase your overall performance. After all, if you can withstand a workout in the sweltering heat, the same workout will be much easier to do come autumn, winter, or springtime. This can help you move closer to your workout goals and crush them! 

Shop online for compression tights, back-support shorts , compression capris with knee stabilizers , and a variety of other men’s and women’s compression apparel. Contact the SWEAT IT OUT® compression garments experts at 1-800-343-8960 with any questions or concerns. We’re always happy to help!

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