

Time of Day
- Avoid exercising in the heat of the day. Exercising in the heat puts extra stress on the body to keep itself cool. In an attempt to cool down, your body will circulate more blood through your skin, which leaves less blood for your muscles and forces your heart to work harder. This blood circulation can eventually lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- As well, levels of UV radiation increase as the sun gets higher in the sky (late morning to early evening), increasing the potency of harmful UV rays (for more info, click here).
- Early morning is often best for any strenuous workout.
Stay Hydrated
- Be sure to drink water before, during and after your workout.
- You’ll be sweating more in the heat, so you must increase your water intake to balance the amount of liquids you lose.
- Drink frequently, and don’t wait until you feel thirsty!
- Restore your electrolytes, especially after around 60 minutes of exercise, when your body depletes vital electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
- Consider a sports drink or a sports gel to help you replenish (for more information, click here).
- Some signs of dehydration include:
- Dry/sticky mouth,
- Fatigue
- Thirst
- Weakness
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Muscle cramping