CrossFit Liberate

by Kathryn Skeean

It has gotten to the point where breaking a sweat happens the second you step outdoors, and the air is so humid you can practically drink it.

That’s right folks, it’s summer in Georgia.

If not done carefully, working out during this time can potentially become dangerous, so it is critical that athletes take extra precautions during this time of year.

Here are a handful of quick tips and tricks straight from our coaches here at CrossFit Liberate to help you beat the heat this summer.

Give yourself some grace: As coach Brandon Moreno put it, “Having the appropriate mindset will go far in each of our fitness journeys and as it cools off again you will be ready to crush! On hot and humid days looking for a PR is not likely, on the contrary, it is usually a great time to hit a ‘Heavy set of 5’.” Coach Dave Rector continued by saying “There’s no shame in saying ‘it’s too hot for me to be comfortable at a high intensity today’”.  Basically, don’t go too hard on yourself physically or mentally.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! This one may seem obvious, but it can’t be stressed enough. Make sure you are well hydrated before you even begin your workout. Head Coach Jan Kozak recommends electrolyte tablets as well. A good way to make sure you are hydrated is by checking your urine. Clear to pale yellow urine indicates proper hydration, while dark yellow to orange could indicate dehydration.

Plan if you can: If your schedule allows, try to plan your workout in the coolest part of the day, whether it be the morning or evening. Try to avoid working out during peak heat hours!

Cold…everything: Cold water is the obvious one here, of course, but we already covered that part! What we are talking about here is towels and yes, showers. In any other circumstance, a cold shower sounds absolutely miserable, but after a hard workout in the summer, nothing can beat it. According to Healthline, cold showers boost circulation and oxygen intake, as well as relax and repair worn out muscles. In addition to cold showers, several of our coaches recommended bringing a cooling towel to lay on your neck if and/or when you overheat.

The most important thing to remember from all of this: listen to your body. At the end of the day, no workout is worth putting your health and safety at risk. 

With all of this in mind, be sure to stay safe and have fun this summer!