If you've been in the Group X room within the past two weeks, you'll know what I mean when I say that the "heat is on." An out-of-commission humidity meter has prevented the normal ventilation system from working properly. A well-meaning Group X participant tried to remedy a stuffy and steamy 24 Cycle class and, well, we're still waiting for the $900.00 part to be replaced. 24 Hour Fitness is a large company and, like many large corporations, bureaucracy and paperwork take longer to process than human requests for repair. Until we get back to our normal climatic conditions, we ask your patience and understanding.
Heat and humidity aren't necessarily bad things. Both conditions can enhance our flexibility and keep our muscles warm and stretchy. In addition, sweat is not a bad thing: pores open and perspiration flushes waste products from our cells. Now, more than ever, it is essential to bring a towel to class and to wipe up after yourself. Some of us sweat easily, profusely, and for long periods. We are the ones who look as if we just got out of the shower after only a few minutes in class. Some of us cool off by dilating our blood vessels, causing our faces to flush. Either way, these cooling mechanism are normal and we want them to happen. There's nothing dangerous about too much sweat as long as you stay hydrated. Keep a towel (or two!) nearby and wipe off the more annoying sweat (around your eyes), but keep the rest of the moisture on your body until you finish exercising. Wiping off too much will cause your body to produce even more sweat to cool you down. Many sportswear manufacturers feature products designed specifically to wick sweat away from the body, thus making you feel more comfortable.
All that being said about sweat, there are certain conditions where excessive heat can be counter-productive to exercise. It is most important to stay hydrated. Take sips of water while you are exercising. Drink BEFORE you are really, really thirsty. If you feel woozy or dizzy, if you see "spots" or "sparkles" before your eyes, if you feel as if you can't catch your breath--take a break. Those symptoms are the first signs that you are dehydrated and need some water. Go outside the Group X room, sit down and sip some water. If you still feel uncomfortable, place your head between your legs, and inform a trainer or a Group X instructor that you aren't feeling well. Your well-being is important. All 24 Hour Fitness trainers are CPR-certified and can call "downstairs" to get assistance. Don't be embarrassed if you need to take a break or ask for help. Again, your health is important.
There are medical conditions that are made more challenging by excessive heat. One of the most critically affected is hypertension.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be exacerbated when the temperature rises. If you are hypertensive, avoid staying in asanas where your head is below your heart. For example, if the rest of the class is doing a forward fold, you can modify the pose to maintain a "flat back" and keep your head in line with your chest. Take a break in class and move into a "resting pose" such as child's pose or savasana. Other medical conditions that worsen in the heat are those related to
respiration. As a warm room gets even warmer with the presence of many, many people exercising, the humidity rises as well. You may feel as if you are having trouble getting enough air in your lungs. We keep the door to the Group X room open to assist the ventilation as much as possible, but it can get rather "stuffy" in the room, particularly in the corners. If the heat and humidity feel overwhelming, take a break outside and/or try to exercise in a location close to the door.
If you are
diabetic, you may not be able to tolerate high temperatures well. Go slow and easy when exercising in an extra warm room, as your body may not regulate its internal thermostat at an optimum. Remember that the goal is to exercise consistently. Save some energy for later, and for tomorrow, and for the days after that.
Okay, enough of the warnings and caveats about the warmer-than-usual Group X room. What can we learn from the broken-meter experience? Patience, both with ourselves and with others. We can try some "hot yoga" poses that we might not attempt otherwise. We can make the best of what is available to us at every practice session--even if it's not perfect. Because, truthfully, in our lives, little of what we experience every day is perfection. Let's live in the present moment and enjoy what is available to us today. (And hope that a new meter is installed sooner rather than later.)
Namaste,
Nancy
P.S. I'm not kidding when I say that it's important to take care of yourself in an extra-warm room. This article from Yoga Journal is a case in point:
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1186
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