Beat The Heat, Use It For Your Fitness | Verve Wellness | Pilates

The hazy days of heat and humidity are getting closer. Beat the heat and use it for your fitness. Rising temperatures combined with the tranquility of an outdoor workout can make for a more effective workout. Exercise in a hotter outdoor environment can help to elevate your heart rate, relax your muscles, and intensify your mental involvement in the activity to reach a maximum you can?t find indoors.

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When we workout in the gym it is easy to become distracted by things other than our workouts. Inside there are fewer stimulating changes in our environment, allowing our minds to wander, when the best practice is a focus on activity at hand. Things like televisions and books at gyms distract participants from what they are really there to do. The natural sounds and changes of an outdoor space keep us alert and our brains concentrated on our bodies rather then a Jersey Shore rerun. While there are many positives to indoor work outs, like weight equipment and instructed classes, many people undervalue the positives of being outside.

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Outdoor workouts this summer will help to promote activity involvement coupled with the positive attributes of a hotter environment. The hotter environment allows you to push your body further through relaxing your muscles while participating in activities like yoga, Pilates and jogging. The heat also challenges your heart rate making the cardio portion of your workout more powerful. This idea is similar to the technique used in Birkram or Hot Yoga. 90 degrees is a good gauging point for when the outdoor temperature can aid your workout; most gyms are kept at a temperature of 68 to 72 degrees. Outdoor workouts are not for those afraid of sweat, however even sweat can help your psychological investment in the workout.

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The gym offers free weights and machines not available outside, however there are plenty of activities that can be performed outside. Yoga and Pilates are the easiest to get into in your own backyard. While these activities need some previous instruction before you do them at home, Verve 360 Pilates Pittsburgh has talented, knowledgeable and friendly instructors to help you use the heat for your health. Staying fit and healthy is a multifaceted effort, so utilizing indoor and outdoor spaces are important in a whole and healthy person.

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