By Bill Waltzek – CPT
Working out indoors can get stuffy and laborious. Don’t let the cold keep you from venturing outside and mixing up your routine. Just make sure you take the necessary steps to keep safe in the cold weather.
Watch the Weather
Make sure you check the conditions before going outside. Knowing how cold it will be, if there will be rain, or snow is an important factor before stepping outside. Lastly, make sure you know the wind chill factor. Dangerous conditions occur when skin is exposed to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dress in Layers
Make sure you wear layers that can be removed easily. With the cold weather it is important to dress warmly. However, some material like cotton is not ideal. You want material that can keep you warm but also allow your sweat to wick away. Cotton will retain water, which can increase the amount of heat your body loses when you exercise.
Cover your Extremities
As you exercise your core temperature rises, leaving your extremities. Make sure you properly cover your ears, head and feet. Avoid frostbite by wearing a hat, gloves, warm socks, and shoes to keep your feet warm.
By taking the proper steps you can bring some adventure and major calorie burning to your workouts by heading outdoors. Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that race times are faster in cold weather than in warmer temperatures. What this means for you – more calories burned. Now go outside and have some fun!
Try this fun outdoor workout: https://forwardfit.com/january-snow-hill-climb/