Wendi’s Weather & What to Wear!

This morning, as I pulled a Chiefs hoodie sweatshirt on before I headed out the door to the gym, I was a little whiny as the weather today was ideal for a run. My opinion as the weather was so much better than last weekend when I ran a half marathon that was rainy, crazy humid, and just super thick! I much prefer today’s weather and thought I would have ran so much faster last week.

As many know, the weather changes daily here in Kansas City from one day wearing my Chiefs hoodie, to the next day it’s sticky & humid to then a rainy evening. Although I am DEFINATELY, not a “fashionista”, I want to chat about workout clothing as our temperatures and humidity are increasing as we head into Summer months. Today, I am not writing about workout shoes, although the most important for exercise. And I am also not talking about the proper sports bras to stop your bounce as that is definitely not my specialty sorry.

What I want to talk about is helping each of you have a better and safer workout this summer. A more comfortable and enjoyable workout as swimsuit season is upon us. Also, this is a guideline, as I do not always follow my own rules as I was wearing a favorite T-shirt teaching my classes this morning. So remember that sometimes we just wear what we want.

First of all, this time of year, with all the weather changing, our bodies are not used to humidity yet and the up and down temperatures. Whether outside exercising or in a fitness center that is trying to keep up with the changing temperatures, our body takes time to adapt. Before my half marathon last weekend, every week, I had trained and ran long distances preparing myself and most runs that weather was ideal for me. Although, I had taught several cycle classes in warmer gym settings, most of my long training runs happened during my ideal running weather. However, last weekend, with all the rain, and changing temperatures, the weather kicked my butt or at least that is my excuse for a more challenging race. I saw more people walking and struggling in the race than I recall from other events. These runners are assumed in better shape than most people. I myself am in good shape and the weather took a toll on me.

So the goal, to help as we enter this summer heat and humidity is to one listen to your body and allow yourself time to adapt. Yes I can tell you to exercise outside early in the morning or after the sun goes down. But this does not always work with your schedule.

When the relative humidity starts climbing high enough, the body’s natural cooling system will not work. Sweat is one of the key ways our body cools itself so when the humidity increases, sweat has a harder time evaporating and stays on our bodies. Our body keeps trying to sweat throwing our bodies into overdrive. And when you are not used to the humidity, such as this time of year, it is harder on ourselves. NOW I AM NOT SAYING DO NOT WORKOUT. However some tips on what to wear in the weather may sure help.

With my teaching & training, many people reach out to me about clothing and I know of many higher priced exercise clothing brands that may tuck & compress every thing into place. That may lift that butt or lift that chest. Honestly, my goal is more functional fitness clothing and that also stays UP when I am running. Anyway, some simple tips are to wear lighter colored clothing that will not cling to your skin. Also, although I have many favorite T-Shirts (missiondrivengoods.com is my favorite t-shirts) that I may wear sometimes when lifting weights, but I sure do not wear a T-Shirt on a long run. This summer as that humidity and temps climb I do not wear a 100 % cotton t-shirts that hold the moisture increasing my uncomfortableness and “wetness” A cotton loose fitting tank top would be better in my opinion, but a exercise top that has moisture wicking or breathes will sure help the comfort level. Will sure help your body cool more efficiently.

There are many brands and styles, of tops and pants with moisture wicking or that breath. I myself own drawers full of too many compression type workout shorts but with running in the warmer weather, I try to wear more of a running style short and let’s say these shorts have more airflow. Running shorts tend to stay up better anyway!

Socks - just find socks that breath and do not wear your dad’s big white cotton socks. Many styles and brands of socks are designed to breath and help prevent blisters. I wear a lot of Feetures socks but also I am hearing good things about the Bombas socks.

A few other tips, as you know I live in a ballcaps while exercising or teaching, but ball caps are good and bad in the heat. Great news is that hats protect from the sun from the glare in our eyes to protecting our heads against sunburn. But also, they can hold in heat and sweat so if a hat is a must, try a visor or look for hats that are made for running and do breath. Also, I have to be able to wear a pony tail with mine!

One more thing, we will not always wear the best or most appropriate clothing for our workout as sometimes we just roll out of bed and hit the road for that run or walk. We will not always be as hydrated as we should be or have ate the perfect meal the night before an early run. But remember the weather and what you wear will help your workouts not only for safety but also more enjoyable. Enjoy the outside and keep moving!