Summer is upon us (two weeks but who’s counting?) and the weather here in LA is getting warmer and warmer!
Thank goodness for air conditioning, are we right?
Despite this, it can still be difficult to cool a large space (like most aerial studios!) and it’s almost impossible to train/perform in the summer heat without at least a little sweat.
How do you handle the summer heat?
Do you like to lounge on the couch in your swimsuit with the blinds drawn, AC cranking, sipping cool fruity drinks?
Is aerial training the furthest thing from your mind?
Well, it turns out there are a lot of benefits to working out in the heat (provided you stay hydrated!), here are just a few to get you into your unitard and back to class!
1. Training in the Heat Makes You Fitter
Researchers have been looking at the effects of heat on athletic performance for decades, and their results have been surprising.
Studies have found that, in addition to an increased rate of perspiration, training in the heat can increase an athlete’s blood plasma volume (which leads to better cardiovascular fitness), reduce overall core temperature, reduce blood lactate, increase skeletal muscle force, and, counter intuitively, make a person train better in cold temperatures.
According to Santiago Lorenzo, a professor of physiology, heat acclimation may actually be more beneficial than altitude training in eliciting positive physiological adaptations.
“Heat acclimation provides more substantial environmental specific improvements in aerobic performance than altitude acclimation,” he says. “And in contrast to the live low, train high philosophy, we more quickly adapt to heat stress than we do to hypoxia. In other words, heat training not only does a better job at increasing V02 max than altitude, but it also makes athletes better at withstanding a wider range of temperatures.”
2. Heat Helps You Bend
According to Doctor Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council for Exercise;
“ Heat helps loosen your muscles, extends your range of motion, and better situates you to take on more challenging poses.” Now in this case he was talking about Yoga (of course) but we can easily transfer that over to aerial.
‘Warming up’ in a warm environment is significantly easier then a cold one, the body is already part way there. This is exciting news for those of us with tight hips and shoulders for whom summer time might just mean better Splits, Straddles and Scorpions! Yea!
3. Heat Burns More Calories
Studies have shown that it takes more energy to do the same workout in a hot environment (104F) then it does in a cool one (68F). There is also scientific evidence that proves that training in the heat actually suppresses the appetite, while working out in a cold environment increases it.
So there you have it, a little motivation for you to ditch (for now) that fancy poolside cocktail, and get back to aerial class!
Have a wonderfully sweaty rest of your week (stay hydrated!)
Aerial Art, Aerial Dance, Aerial Partner, Aerial Performance, Aerial remedies, Aerial Silks, Aerialists, silks, Womack and Bowman
