Lifters' Corner: Hot Tips for Warm Weather Training

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Summer has arrived, and it is certainly getting warm in the gym. With this in mind, here are a couple of tips for training when it’s hot:

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  • Bring a towel. Not a washcloth. A towel. You’ll appreciate it.

  • Cotton t-shirts are always a lifter’s best friend, but in the summer, some of you may want to bring more than one. One shirt to squat, and then one for the rest of the training session. Some of you may need three shirts!

  • Tank tops are excellent when you want to show off your sculpted gunzz, but they are terrible for squatting, benching, and cleaning (the olympic version - you can vacuum and dust in a tank to your heart’s delight). Tank tops leave your shoulders bare, and you want fabric in contact with the bar or the bench, not sweaty, oily human skin. Gross. Just gross.

  • If you don’t typically train with a water bottle, now is a good time to start. Gatorade or a similar sports drink works well also.

  • Headbands are not only stylish - they keep sweat out of your eyes.

Also, as a bit of a housekeeping follow-up to the tips above, please remember to do the following:

  • Spray and wipe down your bench when you’re finished benching.

  • Grab a nylon brush (we have 4 of them at the gym) and brush down your bar before you take it back to the storage area.

Some people like training when it’s hot while some would choose a chilly day every time, but whether you love it or hate it, you can still train productively when it gets hot. A little preparation goes a long way, and you’ll find that you can adapt to the warmer weather just fine. After all, you’re an athlete.