Hot weather fitness mistakes we're all making

Whether you love or loathe the hot weather, it's safe to say the sunshine is here to stay in the UK.

But as the heat rises, our urge to exercise regime starts to waver, with many of us not fancying a workout in the sweltering heat.

"High temperatures can make even the most determined fitness guru reluctant to work out, with many unsure of if it's even healthy to do so," explains PT Jason Briggs at Shoe Hero.

But the sunshine doesn’t always have to interfere with your fitness. There are ways to keep exercising when you're melting, as long as you’re super-smart and safe about it.

"Providing that precautionary measures are adopted and various adaptations made, you don’t have to press pause on your workout," Briggs adds.

We just need to avoid these classic summer workout mistakes many of us are making in the heat.

Not warming up

The hot weather means you’re already warm, so why would you need to warm up, right? Wrong.

"Your body might be hot and your muscles warm but you still need to warm up in order to get your muscles ready for strained movement and to reduce post-workout soreness," explains David Wiener, Training Specialist at fitness app Freeletics.

"Without warming up, you not only risk injury but you also get less from your workout."

Not drinking enough water

When the temperature rises and you want to take your fitness regime outdoors, it’s easier to forget to drink water, as you don't have nifty bottle holders on gym equipment to remind you or water coolers on hand.

Another common water mistake is waiting until you feel thirsty before drinking. But this is a bad idea because it means your body is already dehydrated by that time.

"Guidelines state that you should be drinking between six-eight glasses of water each day, which equates to around two litres," explains Wiener.

"In summer, try to up this to around ten glasses to ensure you’re properly fuelling your body, especially if you’re working out."

If you’re doing moderate exercise for less than an hour, Wiener says water should be fine to ensure you do not become dehydrated.

"But anything more intense will require an isotonic sports drinks to guarantee you’re replenishing your body properly. It’s also a good idea to carry a cloth which you can dampen to cool your head and neck."

Working out at the wrong time

While it’s tempting to stick to your usual run round the park at lunch time, exercising at this time is not recommended because it's likely to be the hottest time of the day.

This might not only affect your performance and cause cramps, but it might also lead to a heatstroke.

Instead, Briggs suggests working out in the mornings or evenings and avoiding the period between 10am and 4pm.

Not wearing the right gear

If you’re planning on exercising in the heat, you’ll need to switch up your workout wardrobe.

"Dark clothing absorbs heat and therefore means that you will feel the heat quickly," explains Briggs.

Instead, he recommends choosing fitness wear that is loose-fitting, light in colour and breathable.

Not only will this type of clothing help you stay cooler, but it can help you avoid the skin irritation and heat rashes that can result from extra-sweaty training sessions.

Not adapting your workout

"In the heat, be mindful of the kinds of exercises you do," advises Wiener.

"Try swapping your long run for intense interval training, making sure you're training at the coolest times of day. This kind of circuit training is quick and effective, also leaving you feeling energised to tackle the day ahead."

Forgetting the SPF

You might be in the habit of putting on SPF on your face, but did you remember to put it on the rest of your body?

"Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to cool itself," explains Briggs. "This means that the rate in which your body becomes dehydrated is increased and can be dangerous, especially when working out."

"Wearing SPF is a non-negotiable and should be just as much of a priority as drinking lots of water," he adds.

Trying too hard

Now is not the time to be attempting a personal best, warns Wiener.

"Exercising in the hot weather puts an extra strain on the body, so it’s important to know your limits, and pay close attention to your body and what it needs," he says.

"If at any time you feel lightheaded, it’s best to stop training or significantly reduce the intensity until you’re feeling better. Remember that the heat will affect your workout, so don’t push yourself too hard, and take regular breaks so that your body can cool down and you can drink water."

Choosing the wrong post-workout snack

In warmer temps, salt depletion can contribute to heat exhaustion, especially when we rehydrate but don't replace the salt lost through sweat, Peggy Hall, a nutritional therapist told Shape.

"Sodium and potassium are the main minerals that make up electrolytes, which regulate fluid balance. We lose electrolytes when we sweat, so they need to be replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods rich in these minerals," she says.

In the hot weather, you can replace any sodium lost by drinking the occasional sports drink when you train or turning to salty snacks post-workout.

So, if you're keen to keep fit in the summer, you can, but make sure you stay safe.

Watch: Londoners bask in hot weather as temperatures reach 29C across capital