The sun is out and the weather is heating up, and we love seeing more and more families heading outside to get active in the beautiful weather! Summertime opens the door to plenty of outdoor workouts, from family games and obstacle courses to a relaxing walk or a nice jog.
At the same time, summer heat comes with risks too, like dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn. Follow these tips from our fitness pros to stay safe while you enjoy the outdoors and get your family in shape.
Choose Your Timing Wisely
On a hot summer day, you want to find the coolest times you can for your workout. In most cases, the hottest part of the day is between 10am and 2pm, but you can also see hour-by-hour forecasts on most weather apps. Take a look at the hourly estimates and find a cool and comfortable time for your family’s outing.
Overprepare and Overpack
Every parent knows that it’s best to be prepared for anything. When it comes to a summer workout, there are a few key supplies that can help you stay safe from dehydration and heat-related emergencies. Bring a cooler with plenty of water as well as some ice packs that could help to cool you down. It also helps to have a fan available, or at least something else you could use as an impromptu fan, like pieces of cardstock.
If you’re working out at a local park or anywhere that’s outside your own yard, make sure you find a place that has shade nearby where you can cool off. It’s also important to make sure your phone has service wherever you’re exercising so that you could call for help if an emergency did happen.
Keep Everyone’s Skin Safe
Sunburn and sun damage might not seem as serious as dehydration, but it’s still important to take precautions. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, ideally SPF 30, for the whole family. Make sure to apply it at least 15 minutes before you head outside because it takes time for the sunscreen to take effect.
Because you’ll be working up a sweat, use sunscreen that is sweat-resistant too. If you’re outside for more than 90 minutes, it’s time to reapply.
Make It a Family Event
It’s always safest to have a workout buddy in case you get hurt or another kind of emergency arises, but this is especially crucial when it’s hot outside. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can sneak up on you quickly, so it’s best to have someone else available for help.
This is just one more reason to turn your outdoor workout into a fun family outing. Not only will you have plenty of safety buddies, but you’ll enjoy some fun family bonding time while doing everyone’s health a favor.
Putting Health and Safety First
There’s no time like the present to take positive steps for your family’s health by enjoying some active time outdoors. Take advantage of the safety tips above, get your kids, and relish the season! Don’t forget to check out our Mommy and Me fitness program and to follow us on Instagram for Fit Tip Friday and other hot tips!
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