It’s officially summer and that means we are all looking for ways to beat the Houston heat when working out! But that doesn’t mean you have to put a pause on your fitness routine.
We teamed up with an Orangetheory Fitness Head Trainer Neema Patel to give us some pointers to stay cool and in shape as we face the scorching temperatures in the next few months.
This blog post is sponsored by Orangetheory Fitness.
1. Plan ahead and add a workout to your calendar
Get one step ahead of your schedule by mapping out your week(s) in advance while taking note of your travel schedule, kid’s activities, and times of days that you can optimally (and enjoyably) fit in a workout.
Summertime is a great opportunity to create a new fitness routine and workout in the morning or evenings. When you have it on your calendar, you are more likely to actually put in the time to exercise. Pending your doctor’s approval, we recommend the average person plan for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
2. Make the most of Houston, even in the hottest time of the year
Whether you want to try renting a bike to ride by the Bayou or get out your running shoes to hit the trail at Memorial Park’s 3-mile loop, you can enjoy the city anytime of year! We love exploring a new garden to walk during an active recovery day.
Some of our favorite ones are: Houston Botanic Garden, J. M. Stroud Rose Garden, and Mercer Botanic Gardens. You can even try cooler activities like kayaking at Buffalo Bayou or go swimming at a local pool. Because the temperatures are so high, your body has to work harder to pump the blood. So even though consistency is key, be sure to listen to your own body.
3. Alternate outdoor and indoor activities
Houston has plenty of options to get your workout in while enjoying the much-appreciated air conditioning. You can walk around a mall like the Galleria, Memorial City Mall, or Katy Mills. At Orangetheory Fitness, we see many clients take the Summer as an opportunity to try out a full body workout in our studios.
4. Give your body a chance to rest and recharge
On active exercise days, you will want to make sure you are drinking a lot of water and adding electrolytes. This will keep you healthy and safe to allow you to meet your fitness goals. We also recommend integrating some days off between workout routines. Take the time to enjoy friends and family, hang out by the Marriott Marquis pool (here are some tips for getting in!) or indulge with a cold treat!
We’d love to hear how you are beating the heat. Come visit us at Orangetheory Fitness this summer and let us know what you are doing to beat the Houston heat when working out!
Neema Patel was raised in Fort Worth, Texas and moved to Houston 9 years ago and never looked back. A background in Exercise Science and a Physics minor has allowed her to create new opportunities around Houston and achieve her goal to help change the lives of people around her. She is the Head Coach at Orangetheory Sawyer Heights and uses her platform to push people out of their comfort zones by creating a healthy lifestyle through fitness, motivation and a hype playlist.
Outside of the orange lights, she is committed to helping her community through volunteer opportunities, exploring new places to eat and drink, and never leaves the house without her camera, chapstick, and a sense of adventure.