We all know from common sense that pollution is not good for our lungs and our overall health, but we might actually be doing more harm than good if we work out where the air is filled with pollutants. In order to avoid putting an unnecessary strain on our body, and ultimately on our health, we should know just a couple of basic things we must steer clear of, as FitSugar points out.

For starters, we should remember that working out next to very crowded areas, such as roads, freeways or in the city, can only be as healthy as we want it to be if certain conditions are met. Not doing it when there’s a lot of traffic would be the first of them, while also the most important, since we’re putting ourselves at too great a risk to be ignored, health professionals urge. Bus routes are also to be avoided on the same premise.

“Air pollution doesn’t play well with exercising lungs. Air pollutants, like car exhaust, can irritate the lungs and respiratory system, making breathing difficult. If you run, bike, or skate outdoors, you shouldn’t let pollution deter you from your exercise goals, but there are few tips to keep in mind – especially if you suffer from asthma or bronchitis.” FitSugar writes.

Another useful tip is that, just in case we have no other place to go work out, we must pay attention to the fluctuations in traffic. Exercising either very early in the morning or later in the evening is recommended from this point of view, because less traffic means less pollution, which, in turn, means we get cleaner air in our lungs. Should we experience any issues with breathing, even after we’ve made sure we checked the above two guidelines, we should, by no means, continue with the workout.

Even the slightest discomfort in breathing can lead to something more severe, health experts warn. Because of this, the moment we notice that there is something wrong (especially if we’re first-timers with working out outdoors or with working out period), we should stop and find a way of contacting our doctor, FitSugar advises. Also, next time we think of getting some exercise, we might as well consider the much more convenient and equally effective method of putting on a fitness DVD and staying fit at home.