The Smart Way to Exercise in Summer Heat
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The Heat of Competition: The 2026 World Cup is just heating up — and we mean that literally. Recent headlines have spotlighted the extreme temperatures expected across North America, where the tournament is being hosted in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The heat is so concerning that 60 current and former players signed an open letter urging FIFA to update its heat guidelines.
The Danger: The average soccer player runs between 5.2 and 8 miles in a 90-minute match. That level of exertion in high heat can impair performance and increase the risk of dizziness, cramping, dehydration, and, in severe cases, heat stroke. But you don’t need to be a professional athlete to take heat seriously. If heat and humidity are summer staples where you live, outdoor workouts require extra caution.
What to Do: Safeguarding yourself isn’t complicated. There are a handful of best practices: Hydrate before and after exercise, wear lightweight clothing, train early or late in the day, take breaks, and scale back your intensity when conditions are brutal. Stay smart, and you can stay active without putting yourself at unnecessary risk.
