Exercising in winter isn’t always easy – while it’s not much of a challenge to head outdoors and break a sweat when the sun is shinning down upon you, in winter the temptation to curl up in front of the heater can often be too great. Of course, when you do brave the elements and head outside for a run or a sweat session it’s important to make sure that you don’t catch some of the nasty winter related illnesses that are floating around. These 5 winter exercise tips to help you avoid catching the winter plague will go a long way to ensuring you have less down time and less distractions from your fitness goals.
Dress the part
Loads of people don’t dress appropriately for the cold when exercising. While you might think there’s no point in putting on warm gear if you’re just going to sweat and take it off, layering up for the beginning of your workout is actually super important for protecting your body from the elements and ensuring you warm up efficiently before your workout. Once you’re sufficiently warm and start to sweat, remove extra clothing items so you don’t overheat. Don’t forget to put all your warm goodies on again for your cool down and stretch to keep the cold at bay.
Don’t forget about your head, hands, feet and ears
While you’re layering up, don’t forget to protect your hands, feet, and ears too! When it’s cold, blood flow is concentrated on your body’s core, leaving your head, hands and feet vulnerable. Protect these areas by investing in a good pair of exercise gloves, winter workout socks, and a beanie.
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Stay hydrated
You might feel the need to drink less water during a winter workout than in the warmer months but water is still very important when working out in winter. Water oxygenates the blood, flushes out toxins, and helps regulate digestive function, which is vital for overall health and immunity, especially in winter!
Get your own equipment
Sure your gym might have loads of great equipment for you to use but sometimes investing in your own basic equipment is worth it when you think about how many flu-inducing germs there are thriving on that stinky old yoga mat at the gym. Invest in basic workout tools like a yoga mat, resistance bands, and maybe even your own dumbbells to avoid having to use other people’s sweaty exercise equipment and workout gear.
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Get enough rest
Probably the most important tip for winter exercise is to ensure you give yourself enough down time, Your body needs time to rest and recover so make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep every night, especially on days you are training hard. Trust us, your immune system will thank you by remaining cold free this winter!
Want more motivation? Check out these 5 Healthy Habits to Help You Reach Your Health Goals.
