How has the hot weather effected your workouts?

[CHRIST1NE]

I have a little gym in my house - treadmill, free weights, weightbench etc. I'm usually VERY good about my workouts, but this hot weeather has definitely tested my motivation and my endurance.

Last night, it was 86º at 8:00 IN the room with the french doors open wide and the ceiling fan on high. I swear the weights weigh more in hot weather. When it came time to do the treadmill, I could only muster the energy for 30 minutes at 3.6 MPH and that almost killed me - I usually go 45 minutes at 4.2 MPH with a decent incline.

How about the rest of you - does the hot weather have any impact on your motivation/endurance?

[keeganm]

The weather definitely affects my motivation (actually ANY weather affects my motivation) since I am one of those who just dreads working out but once I'm at the gym, or on my powerwalk, I'm sooo happy that I did it! I'm just happy that my health club is usually freezing so once i get my butt in there, I'm so happy I dragged myself there.;)

[emilycat]

Oddly enough, the weather doesn't really change my tendency to exercise -- I love running in the cold in the winter time, and during the summer, when it's like a steam-bath outside, the weather is all the more motivation not to postpone my run until the afternoon -- at 6:00 in the morning, I may have to deal with 90% humidity, but at least it's only 72 degrees!

[beejayw1]

I work in the headquarters of a large corporation. One of the nice things it has is a gym - which is air-conditioned.

The problem is that when it's so hot, I don't feel like doing anything but sitting back and drinking iced tea.

[MelissaAS]

I'll fess up- I've been really struggling to work out in this heat- 90 degrees seems to be my threshold! I don't have central air, and I usually walk/run at home on my treadmill so it's really tough. And I have to be at work at 8am so early morning would be pretty darn early (though, of course, an option). On the up side: It has to break sometime, and I heard it's Saturday!!

Melissa

[KathrynY]

I switch to early mornings this time of year - usually walk 2-3 miles before work. It's too unbearably hot to think about walking after I get home in the evenings.

I must confess that this morning when the alarm went off at 5:30 am, and the radio announcer said it was already 81 degrees, DH and I looked at each other and said "let's skip it!". :o

On the bright side, at least this hot weather also dulls my appetite!

[Jessica]

Our gym is air-conditioned and it feels good when I walk in, but once I get on the Precor or whatever, I am drenched in sweat. The good part is that all the perspiration makes me feel like I am getting a better workout, even if that is not true.

I'm also drinking a ton of water.

For all you outdoor exercisers, please be careful. You probably heard about our Vikings player--that was an illustration of just how dangerous the heat can be.

[m4star]

I haven't been running since the hot weather really hit 2 weeks ago. I opt instead to do aerobics (from a tape) and some free weights in the comfort of my air-conditioned condo.

[Gina O]

I guess the biggest change the hot weather has made in my exercise regime is that I have seen 6 a.m. more this summer than I ever have in my life. Had you asked me last year, I would have sworn that 6 a.m. did not exsist except on days I had to catch an early flight.

Otherwise, I really don't mind the heat all that much. Even as we are in the midst of about the 30th day of over 90 degree heat and a nearly equal humidity number, I rarely run my car AC and keep the house set between 76 and 80. I much prefer this over the bitter cold of late January. I do drink water almost constantly though. I find that my runs are much better if I am well hydrated, but to get to that point I need at least 80 ounces of water a day. Gina

[Mary G]

This has definitely been motivation to get my bike rides in before work rather than putting them off til the evening! I'm up at 5:30, and even by the time I get back around 7am, the temp this week has already met or exceeded 70-something. Yikes!

Here's hoping the weather cools off a bit before the big ride...it seems like it would almost be dangerous to do a long/all-day-3-day ride in this weather!

[gobluem82]

One of my main workouts during the week is to walk around the parking lot (I work at a BIG semiconductor facility) during my lunch hour. So those have been temporarily cut out, unfortunately (that's why I'm able to reply to this thread instead!). I also play tennis during the weekend, but we play early enough in the day that it hasn't been a problem...yet.

[Jennett]

Does that capture how I feel about the weather? I love cold weather and snow, so I'm definitely not a happy camper when the temperature goes above 90. :(

I run much better in the early evening, but this week I've been hauling myself out the door by 5:30 in the morning. Which is a bummer for me, because I'm a total early morning freak, and though I have no problem getting up before 5, I've gotten into a routine to have the early morning hours as quiet time for reading and writing. Though I will admit, the Charles river did look really lovely in the early dawn light, though what looked like mist was just a cloud of humidity! Too bad I felt like death after 45 minutes.

OK, I'll apologize now for my long rant about the weather. :o I know in general, New England gets off really easy compared to the rest of the country when it comes to climate. My sympathies to all those who have been coping with more heat, more often!

[Meg O'C]

My apartment (2nd and 3rd floors of an old farm house) has no AC (DH and I are moving into our house in 3 weeks - central AC here we come!). I am pretty tolerant of the heat but it has been ridiculous. Around 9 or 9:30 pm it is usally cooler outside (around 82) than inside (around 87) but the humidity is still brutal. I manage a 2-3 mile walk with a big water bottle aound this time. DH runs. We return to our stuffy apt and take cold showers and then crank up the fan! DH left for a trip to Dallas today - so envious of him sleeping in an air-conditioned hotel for two nights! I told him I might have to check myself into one too - I am in desperate need of a good night's sleep!

[valeriek]

I can't stand this heat! It has definately sapped my motivation. I know the gym is air conditioned, but getting to the gym means going outside! Plus, our company sends out code red air alerts via e-mail (the joys of living near a metroplitan area) and the first thing that is requested of people is to limit driving so as not to contribute to the air problem even more. I don't drive to work, which means going to the gym requires me to start my car. I know I'm only one small fish in a big pond and it probably doesn't make much difference, but I do only drive unless it is absolutely necessary when it is a code red day. I guess I don't view the gym as absolutely necessary :eek:

That being said, you think I would at least do my aerobics in my apartment. I'm on the 12th floor of a high rise that doesn't have central air, which means it is sweltering in my apartment. Can't do aerobics in that weather.

I'm done rambling. Maybe I should just face reality - this weather makes me unmotivated to work out!

[maizeyoats]

:confused: :mad: It is so darn hot...hitting 100 today. I have to make a choice between working in my garden or walking in the early morning. Then at 7:30 the other morning when I went to Curves for Women to do my cardiovascular workout the air conditioning wasn't working. I cannot believe I actually stayed and worked out. It was soooo awful.

[Little Bit]

This thread is making me feel like a total WIMP for having abandoned my morning walk this summer. I really hate hot weather, and would move much further north if it were an option, but for now, walking in the winter and seeking out air conditioned shopping spots is about as good as it gets for me, LOL!!!

Actually, I think my resolve first faltered because of the deer flies that seemed to be cropping up, then the heat really kicked in, and I abandoned walking til fall. Breathing in bugs, or fighting off the biting deer flies, especially in the low spots along my route, is not a joy!

I can't wait for October to arrive. :D

[maizeyoats]

Have you all tried going to the other board Other Stuff
I just found out today that it is up and running. It is difficult to remember not to post these things on this board.
I was totally against breaking up this board but unfortunately the majority did not rule.
Anyway try to remember to check in on the other board too.

[kwormann]

I always think how much I will work out once school is out, then the heat hits (May) and it doesnt seem to get done...in fact, I work out less then the rest of the year.....I admit, Im pretty good October thru June when the weather is decent here!