Bottled Water

I know, I Know! A blog post about the heat already? Personally, I was thinking the same thing. As I write this, it’s June 1st and we have had about 3 days with temperatures over 15 degrees. But you needn’t worry. Within a month we will all be complaining that “she’s splittin’ the rocks outside” and the humidity “is enough to kill ya”. For many of us, this is an uncomfortable time of the year to work out. Many buildings do not have air conditioning and the humidity certainly does seem to instantaneously zap your strength.

So what are you options to deal with the heat and humidity? Perhaps you think that quitting training for the summer might help. While this may seem like a comfortable solution, you certainly aren’t going to make many gainz this summer if the only bicep curls you do involve lifting a beer can to your mouth. Well, you will make some gains but not the type that you will want to show off in all those sleeveless shirts and dresses you bought for the sunny summer days.

So obviously quitting isn’t actually an option but what can you do?

Make sure you stay hydrated!!

Okay, easy enough, but how much should you drink? Maybe you heard on Dr. Oz that you should drink 8 glasses of water per day. This is a good start but it is more of a recommendation for the “general population”, you know, the kind of people that get no regular physical activity.

The amount of water that an active individual should drink is dependent on the amount of weight they lose through perspiration (sweating) each workout. To determine an exact amount, you could weigh yourself before and after the workout, note the difference and adjust your water intake accordingly. Seem complex? That’s because it is! Too simplify, a man weighing between 180-200 pounds should drink about 400 mL of water every 20 minutes during exercise. A woman weighing between 130-150 pounds should drink about 300 mL of water every 20 minutes. This will likely feel like too much water. It doesn’t matter though, thirst is a poor indicator of hydration level.

The Take Home Message

To keep exercising in the summer, ensure you stay properly hydrated
General guidelines suggest 8 glasses of water per day
This is not enough for an individual engaging in strenuous physical activity
For Men: Drink 400 mL every 20 minutes during exercise
For Women: Drink 300 mL every 20 minutes during exercise

Prepared for the JKC blog by Coach Thomas

I had virtually no real experience using weights and felt intimidated going gyms. I avoided gym-goers using free weights, especially when hearing that loud crash, as they would drop weights to the floor. I thought this was to show everyone around them that they owned that area and that I shouldn’t go anywhere near! So I guess I just wanted to learn how to lift weights safely in a gym environment.

I spent over 18 years in the British Military, so I got to use some nice gyms. 99% of my time and experiences in those gyms was spent doing cardiovascular workouts, because I could just jump on a treadmill, plug in my head phones and do my own thing! JKC is different, because they have given me the confidence to use free weights and equipment that I had feared for years. Their demonstrations and knowledge is impeccable and I thank them for their continuous belief and support they show me at every session.

cas dyke

I started training at JKC in 2016 because I had built up a number of muscle imbalances from old injuries and activities like rock climbing which had led to some really bad posture and mobility issues. On top of that some friends had convinced me to sign up for a half-ironman. Working with Jon and Thomas was a way to pull my body back into alignment and make sure it wouldn’t fall apart during my race. The staff at JKC pride themselves on continuously advancing their knowledge, which leads to new and inventive way to address problems, old and new. I got my Dad to start training here and recommended JKC to all looking to improve their strength and fitness.

I have never previously seen the passion and level of care that Jon and Thomas bring to everyone who works out at JKC. Their knowledge, insight and skills are extraordinary, and they work with everyone individually to ensure the best possible results. The attention to detail and to every person’s specific requirements and goals, and the incredible, constant encouragement they provide, is, in my opinion, what truly distinguishes JKC from any other program in which I’ve participated. I am extremely pleased with the progress I’ve achieved thus far, and it’s largely attributable to Jon and Thomas and the approach they take to training and working with people.

The people and the training set JKC apart from other gyms or programs I’ve tried in the past. Truly Jon and Thomas meet you where are and help you get to where you want to be. There are no expectations and never any judgement. You can go there having the worst day and you always leave feeling better. Truly JKC has given me a level of strength and confidence I would not have had otherwise ❤️.

I was looking for something to augment my 20+ year yoga practice with a focus on strength conditioning. I am friend’s with Jon’s sister in-law and over the years always heard great things about JKC, especially with respect to the top quality trainers they have and programs they run. After talking to Jon about my goals, and hearing his thoughts on a training plan, I knew that this was going to be an awesome experience … and it sure has been. JKC stands out from other gyms because of the attention to detail, the high quality of the staff and the facilities. Also, the amazing people that train there. And no one posing and taking selfies. I’m 41 years old and I started in Dec 2021.

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