You don’t have to give up outdoor workouts in winter, but you do have to make sure you’re protected from the cold. Use the following tips to exercise safely outside when it’s freezing out.
Layer Up
One of the challenges of exercising outdoors in winter is staying warm enough without overheating. Depending on how cold it is, plan on wearing two or more thin layers of clothes, such as pants with tights underneath or a shirt with a vest over it. This helps ensure that you stay warm and lowers your risk of hypothermia, a serious condition that occurs when you’re exposed to the cold for long periods of time. Avoid bulky layers, which can restrict your range of motion and cause you to sweat too much.
Cover Your Extremities
Don’t leave the house without putting on a hat and gloves. Wearing a hat helps you preserve body heat, while gloves protect your hands from the cold. Keep in mind that frostbite can set in quickly when temperatures are extremely cold, so it’s important to keep vulnerable areas, such as your fingers and ears, covered. You should also wear a scarf or ski mask to protect your face during cold snaps.
Avoid Extreme Cold
When temperatures are well below freezing, consider moving your outdoor exercise time to a warmer part of the day. If possible, do your workouts in the middle of the day, so you’ll have a lower chance of getting frostbite or hypothermia.
Keep Your Feet Dry
Running might be out of the question when there’s snow and ice around, but you can still go walking for your winter workout. Just make sure that your feet stay as dry as possible by wearing thick socks and a pair of sturdy, waterproof boots.
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