Colder weather doesn’t mean you need to give up on your summer workout routine and hibernate indoors! Staying active as the weather gets colder can get hard if you don’t prepare your body and mind for the temperature change. There are so many great benefits to working out in the cold, so here are some tips to help you stay active!
- Start cold so you can warm up - Your core temperature will rise as you move your body, so starting comfortably warm can mean overheating your body and cutting your workout short. Wear layers that can be removed as you work out.
- Monitor Weather Conditions - Be cautious of dangers like frostbite and tissue damage by avoiding extreme cold. Exposed skin is susceptible to hypothermia when the temperature drops!
- Always stretch before - Keeping your muscles from cramping is important, so make sure to do dynamic stretches before your workout. These stretches will activate all of your muscles more than static stretching will. Check out this dynamic stretching video:
4. Insulate Your Body - Cold air constricts blood vessels in your throat and lungs, causing a “burning” feeling” when you breathe in cold air. Prevent this by wrapping a bandana or scarf around your nose + mouth to insulate moisture
5. Hydrate + Fuel Your Body - It’s a common misconception that you don’t get dehydrated in cold weather. Prevent muscle cramping by staying hydrated before, during, and after your workout. Check out the best ways to fuel your body during a workout!
6. Protect Your Skin & Eyes - Another common misconception is that only summer sun can lead to sunburn. Make sure you wear sunscreen to protect your skin, and sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyesight
7. Prevent Injury - While dynamic stretches are great before a workout, static stretching afterwards can help prevent stress injuries. Try mixing up your exercises as well, which can keep working out exciting!
Ready to start moving your body? Try out these cold weather workout tips and let us know if we missed anything!
Reference List:
mindbodygreen. (2021, December 20). The 4 Benefits Of Working Out In Cold Weather, According To Science. Mindbodygreen. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/4-benefits-of-working-out-in-cold-weather-according-to-scienceTaylor, R. B. (2010, October 27). Hypothermia. WebMD. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-hypothermia
Brillaud, A. (2020, November 14). Why Does It Feel Like My Lungs Are Burning When I Run in Cold Weather? Runner’s World. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.runnersworld.com/training/g20866297/why-do-my-lungs-burn-when-running-in-the-cold