Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday, hope you are having a fab day! Today, I am super excited to talk about outdoor training gear for the winter months. I know many of you may have made new year's resolutions to be stronger, fitter, to exercise more and to eat healthier, and this year, you MEAN IT :P I personally really enjoy outdoor activities, and find them to be much more interesting and fun than just working out in a gym. However, persistent cold weather proves to be a great barrier in staying motivated and on track with your fitness plan/goal. If you fall into this category, never fear my friend, because having the right gear makes all the difference, even during the coldest months! :)
Some of you may know that I love running outdoors (yes...slightly obsessed might I add). It's one of my favorite get-fit exercises. I grew up in Melbourne, and running during winter meant I needed to switch out my short-sleeve tee for a long sleeve and I'd be good to go. Running during NYC cold winter days however, is a totally different ball game.
Despite this, staying active is incredibly important at any age, and running is a great way to get into shape. It's one of those amazing exercises that benefit almost every part of your body. It increases your overall levels of health by raising your good cholesterol, boosts your immune system, reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis; not to mention it also tones your entire body, boosts your confidence, lifts your mood by relieving stress and eliminating depression. As you can see, the list goes on... :P
In preparation for winter outdoor training this year, I researched and tested a bunch of merchandise that will not only shield me from the elements but also help to optimize my training. I wore everything in this post to run outside with temperature down to as low as -5C (23F) and I was thoroughly impressed. Below are some of my tips in selecting your cold weather training gear:
- Look into great sporting brands that carry specific cold weather merchandise (e.g., Under Armour, The North Face, Asics) because we need to go straight to the good stuff, and they are made for cold weather training
- Even though it's cold, it doesn't mean you won't sweat, therefore, having lightweight, fast drying and breathable material is still important
- For tops, I love the ones with a 1/2 zip and is also high necked. The zip allows ventilation if you get too hot, while the high neck gives you coverage around your neck area if it gets cold
- I also look for thumb holes for my tops. They can double up as gloves to keep your fingers warm
- Having something to cover your ears makes a huge difference in the wind. If it gets really cold and windy, I also put a cap over my headband for that extra protection
- Lastly, adding some colors make any exercise just that much more exciting! :)
I hope this winter you won't ever need to use "it's too cold outside" as an excuse from going out, getting fit, doing all the exercises you love and achieving your fitness goals! Good luck, go out there and train your best!
Runners: Mizuno
Thank you so much for dropping by!
Very helpful! Thanks for the post!
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