At the Gym
It's important to work out in a gym with a temperature between 20 and 22ºC (68 and 71ºF).
This prevents your muscles from cooling too quickly as you work out, and also prevents your muscles and body from overheating. Aside from that, it’s simply more comfortable.
How Does Your Gym Maintain the Right Temperature?
When you’re working out, doing so in a good temperature is very important. A considerable number of people leave gyms and health clubs just because the temperature wasn't right!
Air conditioning?
This is the most efficient option and also the most expensive for your gym, but if they think their members are worth it, they’ll fit it.
Large fans?
These are nice, and give a lot of air movement, but they're also sometimes very loud and can be very distracting when exercising. If the gym operator is going to use fans, they should be prepared to invest in ones that are quiet and unobtrusive.
Open doors?
Not a good idea. In the summer (when most of the heat problems happen), open doors just bring in the hot air from outside so there’s really no point. It also looks like (and is) a cheap option ... maybe the gym can’t afford the proper equipment?
Do you have some interesting facts about temperature you'd like to share? If so, please email them to editor@correcttemperature.com.
Muscles and Temperature
If the gym room is too warm, your muscles will fatigue and not work optimally. Your workout then becomes less effective. Equally, if the gym room is too cool, your muscles will not be warm enough to work effectively.
Gym Activity and Temperature
A notable exception is Bikram yoga, which takes place in a room temperature of 40ºC (105ºF), and 40% humidity. This environment is important as it works to reduce stress and tension, and to stretch the muscles deeply. For other yoga and pilates classes, where the workout is gentler and is not likely to make you too hot, the ideal temperature is 22ºC (71ºF). For aerobic, cardiovascular workouts, where you build up a sweat and get warm from the workout, the ideal temperature is a slightly cooler 20ºC (68ºF).
Keep Your Temperature Even
Ideally you will feel a little cool before you begin your workout, and you should not be aware of how cool or warm it is as your workout continues. You certainly should not shiver nor sweat excessively. Your body needs to build muscle and lose fat during your workout, rather than control your body temperature.