As we head into the colder winter months, I’m excited to have the outdoor space to do our workouts. There’s some really compelling research as to why it’s beneficial to work out in the cooler temperatures.
Believe me, I am the first one to want the temps up high during my workouts. I love sweating hard during a workout. It feels purifying in a way. Hot yoga is one of my favorite workouts to do on my own. So it would take some solid facts for me to work out in the cold on purpose. So here’s what I found in my own research on the subject.
First, working out in the cold forces your heart to work harder to get your blood pumping to your extremities. For someone with any heart problems, this may put too much stress on the heart muscle but for those who are avid exercisers, this may strengthen your heart. As a result of this additional work the heart is doing, you may be burning extra calories in the process. This is particularly beneficial as we head into the season of indulgence.
As we work out, the cooler ambient temperatures keep our bodies cooler as well. This allows us to work out longer at the same intensity than we would in hotter temperatures. Thereby creating much more efficient workouts. In a Stanford University School of Medicine study, researchers found that athletes who held a cooling device in their hands during strenuous exercise revealed the participants had decreased fatigue, reduced recovery time, and were able to work out at higher intensities for longer. (Stanford University Article)
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Working out in the cold can be uncomfortable in the beginning before you have had the ability to adequately warm up and before your body has had a chance to acclimate. Here are some great products to help you keep warm during your workouts.
Grippy Gloves: https://amzn.to/3n1tIUj
Headband: https://amzn.to/3p8lA6j
Grippy Socks: https://amzn.to/3pb9AAL
Finally, the ability to exercise outdoors gives you access to the sun, a powerful tool to not only give you Vitamin D infusions but also to curb any effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). Being outside in the fresh air with the sun shining can improve both our bodies and our minds! I hope to see you soon outdoors enjoying the cool air and sunshine!