When the weather gets cold, no one wants to hibernate and not workout for several months. However, the cold weather can be difficult to train in. The key is to know the best ways to take advantage of the cold weather and how to effectively train in it. There are many tips and tricks you can use to maximize your winter workout.
Stay Warm During Outdoor Winter Workouts
This is probably the most important of all. It is easy to hit the trails on a nice, sunny day, but when the temperature drops, it is a lot harder to get on the trail. There is a fine line between dressing warm and dressing too warm. Keep in mind that even though it is cold out, you will still sweat and your body temperature will rise. Keep focus on your extremities. Your core has a natural way of keeping itself warm when it feels that it is getting too cold. It will pull blood from the extremities to do this. So, wear warm socks, waterproof shoes and protect your hands with gloves. Also, protect your head and face. A hat that has flaps over your ears is very helpful. When you are protecting your face, make sure that you are not also obstructing your breathing. A breathable scarf may help.
Stick with clothes made of synthetic materials so that they wick away moisture as clothes wet with sweat will make you colder and more prone to hypothermia.
Think About all Weather Possibilities
Depending on what is happening outside, the actual temperature may feel colder than it actually is. Things like precipitation, wind direction and speed, wind chill and sun position all play a role. To get the warmest part of a cold day, work out when the sun is at its highest, usually between 10:00 am and 2:00pm.
Stay Hydrated
It is easier to drink more when the weather is warm. We seem to naturally feel thirstier in warm weather. However, it is just as critical to drink frequently during cold weather workouts. You want to hydrate before a workout and carry water with you during your workout just as you would in warm weather.
Warm Up and Cool Down
When the weather is cold, we sometimes just want to rush through out workout as quickly as possible and get back into our cozy homes. However, bypassing a warm up and cool down can lead to injury regardless of what the weather is like. In the winter, you want to spend a little more time warming up and cooling down than in warmer weather as your body requires a little more adjustment time in cold temperatures.
Listen to Your Body
We all feel cold differently and our bodies react to it differently. If you are outside getting ready for a winter workout and your body is not feeling it, workout inside that day instead. There are also certain medical conditions that could be exacerbated by working out in the cold. Some of these include heart disease, Raynaud’s, arthritis, diabetes and lupus. If you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor before starting an outdoor workout regimen.
Have Safety Precautions in Place
When it is cold and there is snow, we need to be cautious. This is especially true if you are hitting up a trail in the woods where you will not see a lot of people. Make sure you are properly dressed, have a cell phone with a full battery, some extra water and a blanket. These can all be placed into a small backpack that you will wear. It will only weigh a few pounds so it will not really impact your workout. This is critical because if you were to become injured in a desolate area, you will be able to contact help, stay warm and keep hydrated.
About The Author: When Earl Reidlen isn’t spending time with his 2 children he likes to train for his next marathon and review companies like M.Putterman, visit the site.
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