How to exercise safely during a heatwave
The highest temperature recorded in South Africa was 50°C at Dunbrody, in the Eastern Cape, on 3 November 1918. This high temperature is just short of the highest temperature in the world, which was 56.7°C, on 10 July 1913 at Furnace Creek, California. Luckily, we are not reaching these numbers yet, but we are feeling the might of the current hot spell. Your fitness regiment can’t take a backseat. So, how do you exercise safely during a heatwave?
At least eight people have been reported dead in South Africa due to the heatwave, and predictions are that it could worsen. There are warnings that we should prepare for temperatures as high as 40°C in some parts of the country.
There isn't much we can do about the hot weather, but there are numerous ways of keeping cool in a heatwave.
How can you beat the heat?
The current heatwave conditions have disrupted many; people have to exercise safely during a heatwave. For example, most people who, in normal circumstances, exercise regularly have stopped due to the heatwave. However, there are ways you can keep fit regardless of this heat. So when thinking of exercising on a hot day, here are things you can do to beat the heat:
Stay hydrated
Make sure you're hydrated before you even think about exercising. During exercise, consume fluids in small amounts often, and keep them cool by leaving them in the shade or storing them in an insulated bottle.
Lower exercise intensity
Start your workout gradually and lower your intensity to accommodate the higher heart rate. Consider temporarily swapping your outdoor exercise for indoor activities, train in air-conditioned gyms, or try swimming.
Dress appropriately
Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured, breathable clothing so that your sweat can evaporate more efficiently and quicker, helping your body stay cool. Also, apply strong and water-resistant sun cream (at least SPF 30 or above) 30 minutes before starting to avoid sunburn.
Listen to your body
Be as cautious as possible when exercising on a hot day. Keep an eye on your heart rate and listen to how your body feels.
Plan ahead
Pay attention to weather forecasts before you exercise, and complete your workout in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are low.
Even with these tips, it is crucial to remember that exercising during a heatwave strains your body, and you can risk serious illness. Heat illness can be life-threatening, so it's vital to take extra caution when deciding to work out.
Regular workouts are beneficial to the human body. Yet, they have risks- even in typical weather. So, extra caution is imperative. Taking notice does not mean you should stop working out; you only need to heed the above tips and find suitable supplements to lessen the impacts of the heat on your body.
Active Collagen: exercise safely during the heatwave
Collagen supplements have many advantages for active men and women. Our joints are susceptible to weather conditions: In cold weather, joint aches increase, and in warm weather, swelling and pain increase. This happens because the pressure and humidity outdoors increase the expansion of joints, tendons, and muscles. Adding Active Collagen to your diet will help relieve the effects of the hot weather on your joints.
Besides the tremendous effects of collagen on your joints, it has many additional benefits that will help relieve the impact of the heatwave on your skin, hair, and nails.
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Skin:
Ultraviolet light from the sun breaks down collagen, so it's important to wear sunscreen daily. Also, hot weather increases water loss from the body, leading to dehydration and causing the skin to feel irritated, red, and dry. Constant heat from a heatwave may result in dry spots, rashes, burns, severe dullness, and oiliness.
Active Collagen can alleviate the impacts of heat on your skin; Collagen helps the skin retain its moisture, elasticity, and hydration.
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Hair:
Hair becomes thinner when it's hot, and people shed hair more quickly. In addition, the hot weather causes hair to remain in the telogen phase more prolonged, making it more likely to fall out.
The amino acids in Active Collagen help the body to build and strengthen the skin that contains hair roots and can also prevent hair follicle damage and greying.
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Nails:
Nails grow slower in cold weather and faster when it's warm; the growth slowdown in cool weather is due to the slow circulation characterised by cold weather conditions. Any disruption to this relationship between nail growth and the temperature will negatively affect nails, resulting in deformity and weakness; they may thicken or become brittle.
Taking Active Collagen feeds nail beds with arginine, an amino acid that helps promote nail growth and health. Collagen is an abundant protein in humans; it is responsible for hydration, healthy joints, skin elasticity, stronger nails, and healthy hair. You may have started neglecting your hair, skin, and nails due to the heat. You don't have to.
With Active Collagen:
- You can get support for your joints if you decide to continue working out in this heat.
- You can ensure your skin's hydration, moisture, and elasticity.
- You can help your body strengthen your hair and prevent breakage and greying.
- You can help promote your nails' health and growth.
The heatwave should not cause you to neglect anything you feel is essential. Instead, you only need to identify methods of doing the things you enjoy doing without putting yourself at risk.
Order your Active Collagen supplements here, and remember that exercising safely during a heatwave is important!
Find out more about the benefits of our Active Collagen here:
- Which collagen supplement should you use?
- Active collagen supplement - the benefits for fitness fanatics
- Why is a collagen supplement just as important for men?
