Summer is here if you are in the northern hemisphere! For most of us, this means waking up early to get a run in or hitting up the dreaded treadmill after work. On days with poor air quality this is probably a good idea, but there are some great benefits to exercising in the heat.
This article from Running Competitor goes over some of the basic improvements you will see when you train in the heat. Here’s a summary of them:
- Body will learn to sweat earlier and at a faster rate
- Decreased heart rate and increased blood flow
- Lower perceived exertion
It takes about two weeks of exercising one hour/day to get the body acclimatized. Sadly, the improvements fade about twice as fast as they are acquired. Just remember to stay hydrated and listen to your body. Don’t run until you have a heat stroke. Keep grinding through the hot summer months and hopefully I’ll cya at the finish line!