The Dangers of Overheating in Exercise

What is overheating and why is it bad? 

Overheating is when the body’s core temperature rises above baseline (within 2 degrees of 98.6F). 
When your body begins to overheat you first become clammy, then your forehead becomes damp, and finally you begin to break a sweat...(keep reading)

The instant you become clammy, your body has begun the process of cooling down due to overheating, meaning resources are taken away from the muscles that are exercising and given to the cooling process. 

When you exercise, the friction of your muscles generates heat. The brain knows that the body must thermoregulate but it also knows that the body is performing work of a demanding nature. This puts stress on your body to perform both tasks at once. 
If your body overheats, you are in danger of:

• Heat cramps (legs or stomach)
• Heat exhaustion 
• Heat stroke

​These dangers are common when exercising outdoors in warm weather. Imagine the difference between exercising in 98 degree weather or 64 degree weather. Which one is going to be safer and yield better results?

Although we keep our studios at 64 degrees, the way you dress can have a significant impact on your workout. If you dress in non-breathable fibers or wear your jacket during your workout, you trap the heat generated. If you want to be well-prepared for your workout, shorts and a tank top are the way to go. You should warm up quickly and if you don’t, you’re probably not working out hard enough. 
This is also why we use fans, sometimes right from the start. Before you break a sweat, the heat generated from your body will make you feel like you’re not able to get a good amount of air. Again, think of exercising in 98 degrees versus 64. Which one is easier to breathe? Our fans serve a dual purpose — avoid sweating and provide cool air for better breathing. Please do not reject the use of fans as it is for your benefit. Your exercise specialist can place the fan in such a way that it provides air flow without directly hitting you in the face. 
Although your Exercise Specialist will monitor you during your workout, it’s always good to know the early signs of overheating. They include:

• Damp skin
• Sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Thirst 
• Tiredness (beyond the exercise; sudden onset)

Later signs include:

• Weakness 
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Cool, moist skin
• Dark urine

If you ever feel these symptoms during a workout, please let your Exercise Specialist know right away or, if you’re working out elsewhere on your own, stop the exercise. Remove any extra layers of clothing and drink water or an electrolyte drink (DIY drink recipe HERE).