The steamy, summer heat is in full force as we're rounding out the hottest month of the year, and it's important to know how to stay safe when sweating it out under the sun.
While working out can be relaxing, the heat Gainesville packs can be quite dangerous. There are plenty of ways to stay fit indoors, but if you enjoy an outside run, beware.
Hydration should be your No. 1 goal. Richard Alexander, manager of Sunflower Health Foods and the 2009 Mr. Gainesville Bodybuilding Champion, suggests drinking a gallon of water a day if you want to work out in the sun. Coconut water is also an option because it replenishes your electrolytes. Keeping your body stocked up on amino acids, proteins and even some multivitamins is ideal.
You'll also need to gauge how long you'll be outdoors. According to Alexander, no one should be in the sun for more than an hour. The dangers of getting heat stroke are higher around noon, so exercising in the morning or late afternoon is ideal.
"Some choose to work out at that time because they like their body heat to rise," Alexander said, "But it's safer to stick with the cool mornings."
Holly Beard, a member of UF's crew and drill team, said she is more aware of the risk factors involved with working out in high temperatures because often people don't know they are experiencing heat exhaustion. If your body is low on sugars and water, it first goes through heat stress, which then leads to heat exhaustion. After this, you could experience heat stroke.
If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is find a cool place indoors and lie down. If you are out in the sun, however, and you feel as if you are about to experience heat stroke, don't sit down. Keep walking until you find somewhere cool to relax, even if it is just under a shady tree.
