Surviving the Austin Summer Sizzle: Tips and Strategies for Your Best Season Yet
Hey there, Lumos Fitness Collective family! As the sun turns up the heat in Austin, it’s time to chat about keeping your cool while you keep up your fitness. You know the drill: the mercury climbs, the sun bakes the concrete, and suddenly, your usual workout feels like a trek through the Sahara. Fear not! Here are some hot tips to help you thrive through the Austin sizzle without fizzling out.
1. Hydration Nation: Drink More Water
We all know staying hydrated is key, but in the scorching heat of summer, it’s a full-on survival tactic. Your muscles are about 75% water, so keeping them hydrated means keeping them happy. Start guzzling early in the day, and keep it up. Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily, and add an extra 10-20 ounces for every sweaty hour you spend at Lumos. Make it a habit: drink a glass first thing in the morning and then one with every meal, or with another fairly regular activity you do.
2. Check Your Ego at the Door: Disconnect from Expectations
Look, we all get a kick out of hitting personal bests—beating our fastest time, lifting our heaviest weight. But when the outdoor thermometer reads over 100 degrees, it’s time to recalibrate those expectations. Heat puts extra stress on your body, meaning you might not sprint as fast or squat as much. When I see people really getting into trouble is when they are trying to hold on to their normal pace/load/etc under temperature conditions that make it near impossible. If you’re normally run a 400M in 2 minutes, and you come back in the door at 2:30, you may be tempted to try and “catch up” on the next movement. Often that breaks down too, and then you are hanging on for dear life and incredibly uncomfortable. When the summer heat hits, if you come in from a run and the clock says 2:30 it’s time to go “Oh, guess it’s just a 2:30 kinda day” and keep plugging along conservatively.
3. Go with the Flow: Acclimate to the Heat
Getting used to the summer heat isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. Give yourself a few weeks of adjusted pace workouts. If you usually sprint through your sessions, consider dialing it back to a steady jog. It might feel like you’re taking it easy, but your body is working hard just dealing with the heat. Typically, expect about a 10% drop in your top-end performance when the heat is on. That’s perfectly normal. As the summer stretches on, your body will adapt, and you’ll find your groove again, just at a new beat. Don’t rush it, and let your body surprise you with when it feels ready to push the intensity- don’t try and drag it along.
Summer at Lumos: More Than Just Survival
While these tips will help you survive the Austin heat, at Lumos Fitness Collective, we’re about more than just making it through. We’re about thriving, connecting, and discovering what makes each workout the best part of your day—even when it’s sweltering. So fill up your water bottle, adjust those goals, and ease into the heat. We’re all in this together, and the summer sizzle is just another opportunity to shine. How will you adjust your workout routine this summer? Let’s chat in the comments below or next time you’re in the gym!
Stay cool, stay hydrated, and as always, keep shining bright, Lumos stars!