5 Must-Try Monsoon Workouts

The next time you feel like exercising and banish the thought from your mind due to the ongoing rainy season, think again. Working out in the wet environment may actually be good for you. A site quotes a study by Japanese researchers published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine which found that participants showed an increased rate of fat burning while grappling wet conditions. While their ‘performance’ might be slightly compromised due to the rain, they also shed more weight by taking in more effort trying to workout in the rain. Says holistic health expert Mickey Mehta, “This is a very good idea. One should exercise and walk in the rain as water being a spiritual element invigorates you, keeps you energised and rejuvenated. It adds recreational value to your workout, thus improving your body’s resistance power and adds value to your workout.”

What the study found
The study took seven guys and put them in climatic chambers that replicate weather conditions and recorded their physiological responses. The participants ran in cold, rain-like weather conditions versus no rain for 30 minutes, measuring breathing, skin temperature, oxygen consumption, muscle exertion and stress levels. It was found those worked out in the rain trained harder, used higher levels of oxygen and and burned off a little more energy.

Tips to follow
Buy waterproof footwear as well. Wet feet are prone to blisters, so watch out. Wear a peak cap to prevent water from dripping all over your face and blurring your vision. Don bright attire while walking or doing a rain run so that cars and passers-by can see you. You get glow T-shirts too, which are apt for this. If you are wearing headphones and carrying other music gadgets, make sure they are in a waterproof cover. Stop the workout if there is thunder and lightning, as that is dangerous.

There are a variety of regimens to try out when it comes to exercising in the rains….

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Do a rain run
The wet conditions are ideal, as the rain creates a tougher road to navigate. Says Mehta, “Running in the rain is a good form of exercise which strengthens the cardio vascular functions of your body, the legs and gives you a strong core with stability.”



Pedal pushingCycling is apt for the rains, says fitness expert Deanne Panday. She explains, “Since you use more effort to pedal in such weather, you burn more calories. It’s tones the calves and thigh muscles. Just remember to wear a windcheater to keep the upper body warm.”



Stepping upIf you don’t mind a little rain on you, place the gym equipment in the rain. You can adapt a an elliptical cross trainer for use as long as it’s waterproof. There are such garden gyms available.



Try KrumpingThe freestyle street dance is a lot of fun to do in the rains, says dance expert Aanchal Gupta. “Krumping is high on energy so it gives a great cardio workout and increases agility. Anyone can try these moves to music and doing them in the rain makes it more challenging. Since it’s expressive, it’s also a great stress buster,” she adds.



Using weights in the rain
Gym expert Zarin Watson says one can use dumbells and do squats, lunges and bicep curls, only in a light shower. Just wear the right gear for it, she warns.