How to stay safe when keeping fit in summer weather

Read up on these workout tips before you lace up your trainers

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Exercising beneath the bright, clear blue skies brings a host of benefits - fresh air, time in nature, and a healthy dose of vitamin D. However, before diving into an outdoor workout this summer, it's important to consider a few key safety precautions.

While sunshine can lift our spirits, exercising in the heat can also pose risks such as dehydration and heat exhaustion, particularly for those new to outdoor workouts or in older age groups.

To help you stay safe while staying active, we spoke with fitness experts who shared their top tips for exercising safely outdoors this summer.

Acclimatise

"A lot of people jump straight into workouts in the summer without acclimatising - this is a mistake," says Michael Betts, personal trainer and director of TRAINFITNESS. "Our bodies generally need one to two weeks to adapt to exercising in the heat.

"Older adults need extra time for acclimatisation because ageing affects your body's ability to regulate temperature. Your sweat response becomes less efficient, and your cardiovascular system may not adapt as quickly to heat stress.

"Start with shorter sessions that are less intense and gradually build up your tolerance."

Apply sunscreen