Normally, chilly fall and winter weather means cuddling up inside with lots of blankets and completely forgetting about working out. Big cozy sweaters help hide post-Thanksgiving food babies, right? Nope!
Spring break will be here before you know it, so don’t let your workout routine slack just because it’s getting colder out.
You can workout in the winter if you have the right gear! Read up on our tips for layering up to have a great cold weather outdoor workout.Layer One: Sweat-Wicking Bra & Tank
If you’re working out correctly, you should sweat, even in cold weather. Start your outfit off with a thin layer that will help keep the sweat away and keep you comfortable. A sports bra made with polypropylene (or labeled as “sweat-wicking”) will help keep your underclothes from getting soggy as you sweat. We like this one from Lululemon for it’s high-tech fabric and heavy-duty coverage, which is perfect for outdoor running. Wear a thin tank made with polypropylene over your sports bra to create a base layer for your outfit.
Layer Two: Insulating Layer
Keep the heat in with a polar fleece or thermal vest or sweatshirt like this. This layer will keep you cozy in super cold temps. If the air is brisk but not freezing you can stop at this layer!
Layer Three: Protective Outer Gear
Keep the wind and snow at bay with a windbreaker. Look for one that has mesh panels to help regulate your body temperature, like this one from Nike. Your jacket should be waterproof to help keep you dry in case of snow or rain, and should have reflective features so you can be seen easily, even in dark or cloudy conditions.
On Your Legs:
Normally, you only need one layer to keep your legs warm, even in the winter. The key is to look for workout tights that have fleece on the insides to keep your legs toasty. We’re obsessed with these running tights from Adidas. If it’s extra cold out, or if you’re going to be in the mountains (where higher elevation means colder weather), you can double up!
On Your Head:
It’s super important to keep your extremities warm and covered during outdoor workouts. Put simply, when you get cold, all of your body heat rushes to your core, leaving your ears and hands susceptible to damage. Hats can be a hassle when working out and trying to keep your hair out of your face. Keep your ears warm and your ponytail free with a headband. This one is even cute enough to wear after working out too!
On Your Feet:
If you’re working out hard, you don’t need to put too much extra protection on your feet. Merino wool socks will keep your toes nice and toasty inside your normal sneakers. Trail shoes can provide extra traction on snowy or icy roads, as can ice spikes or chains that attach to your sneakers for winter running or hiking.
On Your Hands:
Gloves are a necessity for cold workouts. Look for a pair that’s thin enough that they don’t impede normal actions. These feature sweat-wicking fabric, and also have conductive thumbs and index fingers so you can change the song on your workout playlist without having to take them off. When the weather is super cold, throw on a pair of waterproof mittens over your gloves for extra heat.
The key to winter workout dressing is to dress flexibly. Depending on your workout, the temperature outside, and lots of other factors, the outfit that is perfect one day might not be so great the next. Try different layers until you find your own personal workout gear rhythm.
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