working out in the heat

Delstins

I need some help.  My apartment is about 80 degrees by the time I get off work.  Since our last electric bill our roommates have banned us from using the ac (even though they have a personal one).  What would you recommend to help cool down an apartment w/o using the ac? we have fans going and all the windows open just fyi.

puokgirl

I know all about that!  I live in a 4-plex with no shade trees nearby and no AC.  I try to exercise in the early morning or late at night so that I don't die of heat stroke.  If I have to work out in the heat of the day, I make sure I have a cool wet cloth around my neck and a fan blowing directly on me. 

Cooling down the apartment is a bit trickier.  You can try creating a "swamp cooler" effect by putting a bowl of water or a wet towel in front of the fan.  Make sure to drink plenty of water and run cool water over your wrists and ankles to stay cool yourself.

We also try to be strategic about which windows we open.  It doesn't make sense to open windows on the "hot" side of the house (where the sun is blazing full out) or in the middle of the day.  Open the windows after 6PM and close them before 7AM so that you let the cool air in.  Then keep the drapes drawn and turn off as many heat generating appliances as possible (computer, TV, lights).  That'll help too.

cukimerrydoll

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_working-out-heat?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:9af8d097-b2e2-4eb3-98cb-5e8b6885bd43Post:34fd8798-7f4e-48da-a257-fbe82edd4ed5">Re: working out in the heat</a>:
[QUOTE]We also try to be strategic about which windows we open.  It doesn't make sense to open windows on the "hot" side of the house (where the sun is blazing full out) or in the middle of the day.  Open the windows after 6PM and close them before 7AM so that you let the cool air in.  Then keep the drapes drawn and turn off as many heat generating appliances as possible (computer, TV, lights).  That'll help too.
Posted by puokgirl[/QUOTE]
We do a lot of this too.  We've put sheers on the windows, because they keep a lot of the heat out, but they let some light in.