It’s the middle of the Winter in England and while the festive season may have passed, unfortunately the cold weather has not. Central London offers a wide range of parks and green spaces (Mayfair has some of my favourites) Don’t let the cold weather deter you from staying active, as I discussed in a previous blog post, winter is an excellent time to keep fit and as long as you take the proper precautions, the cold weather should not deter you from keeping active during these colder months.
Personal Trainer Training Tips
Below are my top tips to help you make the most of your Winter workout:
Check With Your Doctor Beforehand
As with every kind of exercise regime, it is important to seek the advice of a medical professional to ensure that you do not have any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your ability to exercise, especially those which may be exacerbated by exercising in the cold weather.
Check The Forecast
Before stepping outside to partake in physical activity, always make sure to check the weather forecast. The rise of the internet and smartphones has made this easier than ever and knowing exactly what weather you face – be it wind, snow, sleet or hail – will allow you to prepare accordingly.
Warm Up
Warming up before exercise, is absolutely integral at any time of the year and even more so during the winter. Good warmups include stretching, star jumps or some light stationary jogging. Not only will this help to prevent you from pulling a muscle but will also get blood pumping around your body to help warm you up before you step outside.
Dress Appropriately
There are many excellent ways to stay warm whilst exercising outdoors in cold weather. Wearing layers is an obvious, but still very useful, way to keep warm, especially as your body temperature will increase as you work out and layers mean you can remove some outerwear when necessary. Thermal clothing is also a great way to keep warm; these are incredibly lightweight, yet allow your body to retain heat.
Wearing athletic footwear with good grip, is incredibly important in the winter to ensure that you are less likely to slip or fall on any snow or ice. Finally, it is incredibly important to make sure your extremities – hands, ears and feet – are well protected from the cold weather, as these are the parts of our bodies most susceptible to frost bite.
Stay Hydrated
Exercising in the cold winter weather you are less likely to lose hydration through profuse sweating, than when exercising during the summer. However, it is important not to neglect drinking water, even during the winter months.