Here are six safety tips for working out during the rainy season as compiled by kompas.com:

1. Warm up

Warming up is a must before undertaking any heavy exercise, regardless of the weather. 

Experts advise that a person warm up indoors for at least 15 minutes, followed by stretching to prevent injury. 

If indoor warming up is impossible, then move around until the body warms up, a practice known as dynamic heating. Stretch the buttocks, thighs and lower back muscles.

2. Wear thicker clothes

Sweat-absorbing cotton clothing can lower body temperature and increase the risk of hypothermia. Symptoms of hypothermia include fatigue, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness. 

Wear layers of clothes made from synthetic materials to avoid this, with the thickest outside.

The total thickness of the layers is important, because sweat production often increases with clothing thickness. Reduce layers in the case of heavy perspiration.

Read also: 10 ways to stay motivated to exercise

3. Apply sunscreen

Clouds filter out most sunlight, but not UV radiation. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, clouds only filter about 20 percent of total UV radiation. Prolonged exposure to UV light is an aging factor that causes skin cancer.

Apply skin moisturizer, lip balm and sunscreen with SPF 15 to 30 even on cloudy days during the rainy season.

4. Stay hydrated

Cool weather during the rainy season makes us less thirsty, but perspiration still occurs while exercising. To replace lost body fluid, drink regularly, with a 15- to 20-minute interval in between. 

The color of urine can also be used as a reference of how hydrated the body is. Darker urine means the body is in need of water.

5. Wear hat and gloves

The body concentrates more blood flow toward its core in cold weather. This makes the head, hands and feet vulnerable to cold. 

Wear a hat and gloves when exercising in cold temperatures. A hat can also defend against any sudden drizzle that occurs when exercising.

6. Cool down

Working out during the rainy season does not mean skipping cooling down exercises afterward. Spend five to 10 minutes walking leisurely after a long run. This will make the blood flow from the muscles to the heart.

Cooling down reduces tired muscles’ temperature to let them recover faster and avoid pain. It is also necessary to reduce post-exercise muscle stiffness. (iru/kes)