After many months with a gym membership, I came to realize that my meandering around the weight section before ending up on the treadmill was likely not supporting my fitness goals.
Instead, I decided to ditch the gym and sign up for an intro membership at a hot yoga studio. At the time, it was nearing the end of winter. Still cold enough to feel the relief of the fresh air once I stepped out of the studio. Now, in the thick of June and an unanticipated heatwave, I am often covered in sweat before, during, and after the class. I began to wonder whether or not it was counterintuitive to continue these workouts through the summer months, yet found myself feeling stronger, more flexible, and more energized than ever. As it turns out, there may be no better time to indulge in a sweaty class than in the heat of summer.
Become a Better Sweater
Hot workouts during the summer are an amazing way to help your body acclimatize to the heat. As your body undergoes the stress of an extreme climate, it adapts to the heat by producing sweat earlier. This early onset of sweat, in addition to the inevitable increase of sweat, allows for the body to regulate temperatures more efficiently. Your body becomes more accustomed with the tools to cool yourself down, benefitting your body temperature both in and out of the studio. Additionally, studies have shown that as the body acclimatizes, the concentration of electrolytes in your sweat decreases. This helps in preventing dehydration and extreme electrolyte loss!
All About Blood Flow
Heat stress increases the amount of blood plasma in the body – the liquid component of your blood. But why is this useful? Increased plasma volume results in higher blood volume in the body in general. Higher total blood volume allows for the heart to pump more oxygenated blood with less effort, thus more easily and efficiently delivering oxygen to the muscles. Supplying muscles with fresh oxygen (and reducing lactic acid build up) results in faster recovery, less muscle soreness, and a better chance to build up your strength! In simpler terms, heat stress increases blood in the body which helps your muscles recover more quickly and supports your future workouts!
Slowing Down Your Summer
Hot exercise classes can be incredibly overstimulating, even more so when paired with the heat of summer. The extreme sweat and effort leaves little space for outside thoughts, creating a perfect opportunity to pause. The summer is often filled with travel plans, late nights, weddings, and much more. It can feel like the busiest time of the year, despite having more hours of daylight than ever. By allotting an hour during the day to focus on breath, mind-muscle connection, and embracing the sweat, it can help centre and slow you down during a busy season.
From personal experience, I can certainly say that hot workouts have added a playful challenge to my fitness routine this summer. Whether it’s class with a friend, a moment to push myself, or a break from the busy season, I continue to leave the studio feeling more energized and clear-minded than I did on the way in. What’s a little sweat anyways ?!
Wondering what to wear in your hot classes? Check out this article about fitness attire
