Exercising Outdoors: Just Do It Right

The beginning of fall means going outside for gym class or training outdoors with your team. When is better to stay in the gymnasium? Here’s some advice for when to lead your team or group to outdoors.

• Keep hydrated. Up your regular intake when exercising. Experts recommend 5-12 ounces of water during your workout. Nobody wants to see you passed out from lack of liquids, so quench your thirst.
• Know how to dress. Layer up with sweat-absorbent clothing that covers you when the thermometer drops below 40°F, and deck out in light clothing and tons of sunscreen when the temperature climbs above 85°F  to avoid overheating and heinous sunburn.
• Speaking of hot bodies… heat stroke refers to your body getting too hot and it gives out. If you or a teammate experiences headaches, nausea, confusion, muscle cramping and dizziness, stop to rest and get inside (instead of pushing through these symptoms).
• Keep all your toes. On the opposite side of heat stroke is frostbite and hypothermia. Keep aware of your body when you’re approaching the cold injuries. A continuous loss of sensation and discoloring skin will often give you the hint that something abnormal is up.
• Is the sky orange?  In highly polluted areas like Southern California, air conditions can endanger you. Check air quality forecasts prior to going out, and don’t work out near exhaust-spewing cars.
• Know where you are. Keep to places you know. If you get lost, ask for directions at a store or in a public area.
• Aim for an early morning/twilight workout. You’re protecting yourself majorly if you choose to stay away from the peak daylight hours. The humidity’s down, the temperatures aren’t too high, and you’re surrounded by less people to distract you.