Beat the Summer Heat

How to beat the HEAT this summer at the gym

Anyone who has set foot in the gym the past few weeks has felt just what 3 layers of sweat, red cheeks, and not enough water in the world feels like.  Here are some helpful tips to help you beat the heat and have productive and comfortable practices and work outs!

1.       WATER WATER WATER.  By the time you experience thirst, you are already dehydrated.  20 Minutes before practice drink an entire bottle of water.  Bring enough COLD water with you to last as long as you need.  A good tip- fill a bottle of water ¼ with water, place in the freezer overnight, refill the other ¾ with water, and you will have ice water that remains cold throughout the practice. On days when it is above 80 degrees, you should bring two or three bottles of ice water.

2.       BABY POWDER.  You all know the uncomfortable feeling of a layer or three of sweat all over your body.  Baby powder will absorb the sweat and leave you feeling more dry and fresh.  Baby powder can be sprinkled down the back or front of your sports bra or tank top to keep your clothes from sticking to your body.  Baby powder can also keep your legs or arms dry when you need to stunt with each other and not slip and slide ;)

3.       REUSABLE ICE PACKS.  Toss one of these in your gym bag before practice.  Every time you get a water break, take a second to put the ice pack on the back of your neck or your forehead.  This will help to lower your body temperature and make you feel more comfortable.

4.       SWEAT TOWELS.  Keep a small face cloth or towel handy for times you are covered in sweat.   You will feel instantly more comfortable if you lose a layer of sweat from your forehead and body.   If you do not have a towel, paper towels will also get the job done.  Your fellow stunters and tumbling spotters will appreciate the lack of sweat when you return to your workout and so will you ;)

5.       LIGHT COLORED CLOTHES.  It has been proven that light colored clothes absorb less heat than darker colors.  Think white for Cheer Factor instead of black, dark blues, etc. 

6.       COOL YOUR WRISTS. Running cold water over your wrists for 10 seconds each hand will reduce your temperature for about an hour. Takes 20 seconds to do and feels very nice if your wrists come in contact with other body parts too!

7.       NOTE THE FABRIC.  In addition to light colors, aim for lighter, natural materials such as cotton, silk, or linen.  You can also invest in performance wear from any sporting section.  Underarmour, Nike, Addidas, etc all have clothes designed for keeping the body cool.

8.       HINT OF MINT.  Mint refreshes the skin and leaves a nice cooling sensation.  Try a peppermint body spray or some aloe vera cooling lotion (think of the lotion you use after a sunburn to cool your skin).  There are a variety of peppermint lotions, soaps, sprays, and powders that could prove to be beneficial!

9.       PAY ATTENTION TO THE BACK OF THE NECK. The sensor for our body temperature control system is in this area.  Put a cool, wet handkerchief, a bottle of ice water, an ice pack, minty spray, etc on this area  and you can make the body think that you are "cool".  Also, keep all hair OFF of your neck!

10.   Did I mention WATER WATER WATER?   Keep hydrated, keep cool.  It is that simple J

These practices and workouts can be miserable and literally sickening in the intense summer heat.  Try these tips and you will be cooler than ever ;)

-Heather K