Summer FunTop 20 Summer Exercise Essentialsby Paige Waehner Exercise always gets a little more fun when the weather warms up. If you're out enjoying the summer, make sure you stock up on a few items to keep you cool, dry and sunburn free. I sincerely don't like wearing hats and my husband doesn't either. But, if you're working out outside, you should always wear a hat to protect your face. This mesh hat is the only hat I can tolerate because it's light and it doesn't make my head all sweaty. It seems like there's never an easy way to carry water with you when you're out for a walk or run and I often end up just holding my water bottle. The next best thing is this energy belt from Road Runner Sports. I'm not a huge fan of the water-fanny-pack thing, but when I'm out on a long run, I find this to be the best way to stay hydrated. The belt can be a little sweaty, but it doesn't bounce and it isn't as dorky-looking as some hydration belts. You already know to wear sunscreen, but it's tough to find one that isn't greasy and won't burn your eyes when you sweat. After trying a number of sunscreens, my favorite is Neutrogena's Dry-Touch. It won't clog pores, it isn't greasy and it doesn't sting your eyes when you sweat. Even my husband (who loathes sunscreen) grudgingly likes it. Put it on about 20 minutes before you hit the road for maximum protection. I actually wear this every day, weather I'm outside or not. If you're working out in the heat, you'll want quality shorts that are flattering, comfortable and, most importantly, cool. These RRS Double Stripe shorts are my absolute favorite pair of shorts. This 2-in-1 short has an inner short that wicks away sweat and gives you great coverage for just about any activity. They're flattering and comfortable, but there is a drawback. The liner isn't comfortable, so you may still need to wear underwear, which can make things a little bulky. These shorts are a big favorite of my husband's - he likes them for running, handball and other random outdoor activities because they're baggy and lightweight and they wick away the sweat. If you're exercising in hot weather, cotton underwear can be really uncomfortable. Try sweat-wicking briefs, like these from Brooks, to help you stay dry and comfortable. If I had to choose my favorite pair of underwear, these seamless briefs would be it. I've worn them while jogging, hiking and biking and they're so comfortable, I wish I could wear them every day...well, I guess I could if I did my laundry more often. They don't ride up, they don't chafe and they keep you cool and dry on a hot day. It's important to stay cool when you're exercising, but it's also important to protect your skin from the sun. That means avoiding tank tops or going shirtless since that could give you a bad case of sunburn. Protect your skin and stay cool with this good-looking shirt that keeps you dry by wicking away sweat. My husband has this shirt (his is orange) and he likes it for long, sweaty workouts. I really love the cut and color of this tee, as well as the sweat-wicking technical fabric that makes outdoor workouts more comfortable. The pricetag is a little up there and, normally, I wouldn't spend more than $20-$30 on a sweat-wicking tee. I made an exception in this case and, even though I still think it's too pricey, it's definitely a quality top that will last a long time. This headband/neck wrap is perfect for just about any outdoor activity. Soak it in cold water for about five minutes and wrap it around your neck or head to keep you cool while you walk, bike, run, work in the garden, etc. | 
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