Outdoor Winter Workout

Did you know 30 percent of Americans admit to getting no exercise during the winter months? With the temperatures plummeting this time of year, many of us tend to stay at home and hibernate all winter long. But, hibernating is for bears, not for those of us that want to get fit! We need to stay active throughout the year so here are some tips to help you through the winter months!

There are many exercise options you can choose to participate in regardless of what the outdoor thermometer reads. Depending on your preferences, you can workout inside or outside. If you are an outdoor person and the cold doesn't bother you, working out outside may be for you, but keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Warm up first. Prior to going outside, a proper warm-up is critical in order to prevent the cold temperatures from tightening your muscles and making you more prone to injuries.


• Insulate your body. The best approach to dressing for outdoor exercise is layering. Layering provides the most effective heating method, plus it allows you to remove the top layer if you get too hot. The layer closest to your skin should allow moisture to be wicked away. The top layer should be both wind and water resistant.


• No sweat. Don't assume that you have to sweat in order to get a good workout. You should avoid sweating that causes the clothing layer closest to your skin to get wet and cause you to be chilled. Instead monitor your intensity through a heart rate monitor to ensure you are getting a sufficient workout.


• Don't undress as soon as you get inside. While you may be tempted to immediately remove your layers when returning inside, give your body time to adjust. Post exercise hypothermia is possible. This happens when your body rapidly loses its heating stores.


• Drink up. It's just as important to stay hydrated when exercising in winter as it is in summer, even though you might not feel as thirsty.


• Lighten up. If you are exercising at night, it is important to wear reflective materials to ensure that you can be seen.

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