You may be trading your outdoor workouts for a stuffy, warm gym this season. However, there are many benefits to a cold weather workout you may want to consider before giving up on the outdoors completely.
While many people worry about keeping an appropriate body temperature in chilly sweat sessions, there’s not much to worry about if you wear proper layers made of moisture wicking fabrics. This will keep you warm and dry, just like any other workout. So no excuses — step out of your comfort zone and embrace the cold.
In fact, getting off of your cozy couch and getting your heart pumping outside has benefits you can’t really find anywhere else.
Winter Workout Benefits
Burn more calories. Because your body is working to regulate your core temperature, you’ll burn more calories than you would with an indoor workout. The amount of extra calories burned depends on the weather and varies from person to person, but the added burn can add some motivation to brave the chill.
Strengthen your heart. Cold weather makes your heart pump harder to distribute blood throughout your body. If you’ve been working out for a while, this added stress on your heart strengthens the heart muscles. This preps your heart for more strenuous workouts in the future. Stronger heart muscles also contribute to reducing everyday stress.
Build a cold tolerance. The first cold weather workout may be painful, but don’t give up. It does get easier. As you acclimate to the climate, it’s important to adjust your workout expectations as well. Listen to your body and pay attention to how it reacts to the different climate. Pay attention to the effort you’re putting forth rather than setting a distance or time goal. Each time you work, your body will get stronger and the cold won’t seem so painful.
Use oxygen efficiently. Running through the cold often leaves you gasping for air, but this is a good thing. Running in cold climates teaches your body to use oxygen more efficiently. And, according to research from Northern Arizona University, running in the cold can improve your running speed by twenty nine percent.
Learn the importance of warm-up and cool -down. When you first step into the cold, your body can feel stiff and rigid. It’s important to perform proper warm-ups and cool-downs to keep your body warm, loose and limber. By keeping your body limber, you’re less likely to succumb to painful sprains or strains. Once you’ve got your favorite warm-up and cool-down added as a staple in your routine, they are more likely to carry over to your workouts throughout the year — helping you stay pain free all year long.
Boost your mood. The lack of sunshine in the winter months can sometimes lead you to feel a little gloomy, but getting out there can really brighten your day. The light air due to lack of humidity and stimulating chill are sure to wake you up. As your body stays warm, endorphine production increases leaving you with a sense of happiness and lightness as well.
Stay Pain Free This Winter
In addition to performing proper warm-ups and cool-downs each time you work out, it’s important to practice proper recovery. Practicing static stretches after each workout keeps muscles loose and lessens the chance of cramps or soreness. Using tools like the foam roller or lacrosse ball are also great for loosening tight muscles or releasing adhesions that may be causing stiffness or limited range of motion.
If you’re still feeling tight or pain after performing all of these good practices, give Airrosti a call. Our providers focus on outcomes and exceptional patient care. They pinpoint the cause of your pain and treat it directly at the source. This method leads to fast, efficient recovery—getting you back to your active lifestyle in no time.
