Winter is in full bloom throughout most of the country and if your like most people you have started on your new years resolutions. However after awhile your going to find that working out inside can get pretty boring and for some people this will lead to them falling off their fitness programs just for that reason alone.
Some people love to workout outside during the spring, summer and fall months but often pack it in during the winter because it gets too cold and don’t think they could still workout during this time.
If your one of those people that stop working out outside then your missing one of the best seasons to workout!
The fact of the matter is that is that their are many benefits to exercising outside during the winter months- even more then in the summer.
Here are just a few of the benefits to exercising outside in the winter:
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The air is actually more fresh & crisp which makes it easier to breath
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There’s less people exercising outside which makes it easier to run without the crowds (esp the ones that hang up their running shoes in the winter)
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You feel way more invigorated. There’s nothing like starting the day with a routine outside knowing that most people are still hibernating inside.
Now I know what your thinking “Bryan that sound’s great but how do I workout without freezing my a$$ off!”. The common mistake most people make about exercising outside is by wearing too much layers or the wrong type of clothing. If you wear too much layers it actually is counter productive and you won’t be able to workout as effectively.
Here are some easy to follow tips about dressing right for your outdoor winter workout:
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Start off with a base layer that wipes sweat away from your body so it can retain heat. Always look for clothing that is made up of Polyester.
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Avoid wearing cotton at all cost as your base layers! Cotton doesn’t wipe away sweat the same way Polyester does which can lead you being colder then when your 1st started out.
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For the next layer wear a fleece like layer (jacket for upper body) or something that is wind resistant. This will insure you stay warm throughout the workout without being effected by the wind
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Always wear a hat (non cotton) and hood. By wearing both a hat and a hood this will insure your head stays warm and avoiding a nasty head cold from all the sweat as well as inhaling too much cold air into your lungs.
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Wear MITTENS not GLOVES! With mittens you keep your hands closer together and retain a lot more body heat.
Now that I covered exactly what to wear you want to make that you follow these valuable tips to make sure your workout in the winter is a complete success!
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Warm up for at least 10 mins to get the blood flowing & your heart rate up.
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Stretch out every major muscle group before & after your workout.
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Stay hydrated
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Wear sunglasses if your working out during the day. Remember the sun is closer to the earth during the winter months so you want to make sure that your eyes are protected
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Wear sunscreen
There you have it a complete guide to exercising in the winter months. Now go out and enjoy it!
P.S: Want a real, fun, challenging workout in the winter? Register now for Brooklyn’s Top Fitness Boot Camp
