Reduce Chances of Overheating While You Workout
Whether you are working out at home on your home gym, taking a brisk walk, or training at the gym, it is easy to get overheated before you realize what's happening. A lot of things can happen when you get overheated, all of which are dangerous. This is especially true if you work out alone and no one can help you as you start to fade. The information below can help you avoid getting overheated so you can get the most out of a workout without the risk of causing yourself heat stroke.
Workout with a Friend
Working out with a friend is a great way to stay motivated. If you have regularly scheduled workout days, it helps keep you both accountable. Even on the days you don't feel like working out, you know your schedule might impact his or hers. On top of that, you can watch each other for signs of heat exhaustion or remind each other to take regular breaks to cool off and hydrate.
Understand Homeostasis
Your body has a process called homeostasis. It's the process that causes your body to stay around 98 degrees. Internal processes have an impact on this process, but so do external elements. In other words, if you haven't given your body what it needs to stay cool, or your workout environment is overly warm, your body is going to struggle to maintain its temperature because it has to fight against elements without having the hydrating elements it needs. You can see evidence of this with your sweat. Sweat is the body’s way of providing an external coolant. If it's hot and you aren't sweating, you may be dehydrated.
Hydration and Temperature
In order for your body to cool itself off, it needs liquids with electrolytes and other vitamins and minerals. This allows the body to produce sweat, among other things. Avoid things like caffeine and sugar, as they are not hydrating and cause problems with the cooling process. Try to workout in a cooler area and wear materials that are breathable. Consume cool drinks, but not freezing cold ones as that can lead to painful stomach cramps. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids before, during, and after a workout. Sport drinks are fine as long as they don't contain caffeine. Since most do contain sugar, try opting for the low calorie versions that don't contain as much sugar. Alternately, you can also make sport drinks at home that don't use sugar at all.