Summertime means beautiful sunny weather to play in, and by play, I mean work out. It is when the weather is nice and hot, that we need to learn to protect our bodies from harm! But how do we know what we are doing wrong?

Well I am here to help you prevent some of the most common workout mistakes.

Clothing

We all want to be comfortable when we are working out. We put on baggy shirts and shorts so we don’t feel constrained or self-conscience while we run. However, loose fitting clothing is more likely to increase your chances of chafing and on top of that, the hot weather and sweat can lead to further irritation. If you can’t live without your comfy clothes, try wearing some spandex underneath your clothes for some extra protection.

Diet

You may need that extra caffeine to get you up and ready to go in the morning, but drinking coffee before your morning run or workout is not working out for your body. Coffee can increase your chances of dehydration and if it is hot coffee, it can even decrease your performance. So instead of waking up to hot coffee, try a refreshing cool glass of water to get your engine going.

Hydration

The most important thing when it comes to working out is hydration. A common misconception is that you only need to hydrate during a work out, however this is completely untrue. Especially in the summertime, you should set up a hydration routine before, during and after your workout. This is key in helping to avoid muscle cramps and dehydration.

You can learn about more summer workout mistakes and how to avoid them by reading this article.

If you want to stay out of the heat and still get an amazing workout, try one of Verve’s yoga or pilates classes. You can sign up for one by visiting the best Pittsburgh salon.