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In case y'all hadn't noticed, it's like 1,000 degrees outside.

OK, OK ... I might have added one zero too many to that temperature, but 100 degrees might as well be 1,000 when you're working out outdoors.

In an attempt to beat the heat, the marathon training sessions that I'll soon be participating in take place very early in the morning or later in the evening. That's all well and good, but until the heat index goes down, the working out I need to do between training sessions is taking place indoors.

I don't belong to a gym, but my apartment complex has a small workout center that consists of a treadmill, a bike, a stair-stepper and a weight machine. Unfortunately, because the center is so small, I can't assume these machines will be available when I want to use them. I figure other people might be in the same predicament, so here are a few other things I'm doing this summer to stay cool while breaking a sweat:

•Swimming. This is one of the best all-over workouts there is. The water provides resistance, so every movement requires greater effort. Best of all, it's fun. Even if you don't know the difference between freestyle and butterfly, you can doggie-paddle across the pool, use muscles you normally neglect and burn a crapload of calories. The following is common sense, but I'm saying it anyway: Be responsible and wear sunblock. Peeling skin is not cute, not to mention skin cancer. And skin cancer should be avoided.

•DVDs. Here's the great thing about workout DVDs: You can get one for every type of workout under the sun. My collection consists of a little bit of everything: yoga, kickboxing, Pilates, aerobics, Indian dance and plain old walking. Mix them up, and you can't really ever be bored. Also, you'll keep your body on its toes and not fall into that workout rut where things become too easy.

•Calisthenics. Do a few sets of crunches, pushups and leg lifts. Repeat. Have a nice, long stretch when you're finished. It doesn't sound like much, but it's better than nothing. If you do it consistently, you'll see and feel results.

If you're like me and stay indoors while it's hotter than Hades, you still have to stay in shape. Bconsistent and your body will be hot when the weather cools.