How do you exercise when it's cold and snowing in winter??

new2canada
new2canada Posts: 119 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am new to this climate and I've been told by my partner that it is too cold and snowy to go outside some days for walking and that it can be dangerous to my health. This is so hard for me because I love to walk, it's my favourite way to exercise...I don't even think the cold bothers me that much but I haven't really experienced a -20 degree day.

How do people exercise in the winter?
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Replies

  • timboom1
    timboom1 Posts: 762 Member
    I dress a little warmer, put on the right shoes and go outside and run. Cold is not dangerous, being unprepared in the cold is. 20 degrees is a bit chill, but it won't kill you if you are dressed for it.
  • JasonDetwiler
    JasonDetwiler Posts: 364 Member
    I am new to this climate and I've been told by my partner that it is too cold and snowy to go outside some days for walking and that it can be dangerous to my health. This is so hard for me because I love to walk, it's my favourite way to exercise...I don't even think the cold bothers me that much but I haven't really experienced a -20 degree day.

    How do people exercise in the winter?

    Are you talking -20 C? That there's dang cold. But it's not hazardous to your health if you're dressed appropriately. Bundle up and do what you do!
  • poetictraveller
    poetictraveller Posts: 47 Member
    If you can walk you can snowshoe...or try nordic skiing! Both are easy, fun and great calorie burners!
  • misslady72
    misslady72 Posts: 37 Member
    I live in Buffalo and I'm sorry...I don't like the cold...not even after living my entire life here. So I go to the gym lol!
  • clemsongrad99
    clemsongrad99 Posts: 1 Member
    Snowshoeing is easy to learn and great fun. Just be sure to invest in some good cold weather clothes like from LL Bean- you can order snow shoes from them too.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    honestly I hate to be layered up, a little snow or rain doesn't bother me but if it's so cold that it hurts to breathe in forget it, I hate to wear a scarf over my mouth and nose! I find something to do inside, treadmill, bike, punching bag, pole, elliptical, workout DVDs, weights, yoga mat. It's endless you don't need to be outside to get a good workout, heck you don't even need much room or equipment. How about a jumprope? or just an aerobic step?
  • rachelerwin
    rachelerwin Posts: 140 Member
    I go to the gym. Though I do love going outside to walk. I live way up north. Winters up here usually last about 6 months.
  • skinnybitchbarbie27
    skinnybitchbarbie27 Posts: 306 Member
    I live in Oregon and on my bike ride this morning (mind you it is only going to get worse) it was 32 degrees F. at costco I found a set of waterproof, windproof, athletic gear that you can wear in temperatures down to like -10F. I wear that on top of a sweater and my workout pants and I sweat like a beast but I am warm. I also wear waterproof gloves and have protective, waterproof covers for the top of my shoes.

    We will not have many negative temp days here, but you can find gear that is approved for temperatures down as far as you need and like I said, you may sweat a lot but damn you'll be warm.

    :)
  • jenlarz
    jenlarz Posts: 813 Member
    Exercise DVD's. Youtube videos. Someday will invest in a treadmill. But I plan on being out as much as possible with lots of cold weather gear.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    I'm only in Northeast Ohio, but I've been known to skip a run when it was in the teens & icy. . . I did an aerobic video or two and caught up on my run another day. Below 20 degrees F, I'm a wuss and stay inside. I can admit it!
  • SavageFeast
    SavageFeast Posts: 325 Member
    Walk in circles around the house. I do it all the time :smile:
  • Jelliefishie
    Jelliefishie Posts: 13 Member
    More about dressing appropriately - you may wanna do it in layers, in case you get hot...take pieces off until you settle on a temperature you like. You'll be a little chilly when you start but once you get moving, you will warm up! You do NOT wanna sweat a lot when you're out in the cold, cuz it can be very uncomfy when it freezes on you and chills you. Definitely wear some moisture-wicking clothing as your base layer, the one next to your skin. Look in to something like Under Armour or the equivalents in other brands. I never wanted to spend on this stuff before, but once I tried it (got one on discount at ****'s), it's changed my life. There are different fits for it too, so if the "fitted" or second skin style ones are too tight and uncomfy, the semi-fitted still very work well with getting the sweat off of your skin.

    About the air - take this time during the Fall to train yourself to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. It takes some getting used to, and I'm still working on it, but your nose has those hairs in it that help warm up the air for your lungs. This way the cold air of winter won't irritate your throat and lungs with its chill. I'm asthmatic and a runner, so this helps me a lot. If it's too much, consider wearing a scarf over your face or a balaclava (both of which also come in moisture-wicking material, not for sweat really but more for your breath that might wet the material uncomfortably).

    Hope this helps! Also, snow is not bad to walk in, just wear appropriate shoes. What you wanna look out for is sheets of ice.
  • greatthatsgreat
    greatthatsgreat Posts: 36 Member
    When I was a kid, I had a paper route in northern Minnesota (uphill! both ways!), and since, for 9 months out of the year, I was out walking around at 4 in the morning, in the dead of winter, carrying a 20 lb bag, I can attest that it Can Be Done! Invest in a base layer, proper footwear, and a ski mask. You'll be fine. Plus there's nothing better than getting home after cold outdoor exercise, peeling off all the layers, and enjoying a mug of something warm.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Walk in circles around the house. I do it all the time :smile:

    That was going to be my response. Can't walk outside? Walk inside!
  • SheilaG1963
    SheilaG1963 Posts: 298 Member
    I used to love to horseback ride in the snow. However, there is nothing colder than sitting on that cold leather saddle for the first time!

    I walk. Just bundle up and layer.
  • AZDreamgirl
    AZDreamgirl Posts: 70
    You could always workout in your house..... dvd's or weights.
  • gdrmuzak
    gdrmuzak Posts: 103 Member
    I go to the local Y, do BeachBody videos, exer. bike at home or exercise & weights at home.
  • dalehall64
    dalehall64 Posts: 290 Member
    Or.... If you want to stay out of the cold, what about some cardio type DVD's for inside? (Insanity, 10 Minute Trainer and other types of home DVD sets like that) That's what I use right now and it's working great.. I'm a Southern boy (born and raised) and I despise the cold. So, I feel your pain in not wanting to deal with it. (That's why I moved back down here) :)
  • SheilaG1963
    SheilaG1963 Posts: 298 Member
    Just a note on layering. Check out the hunting gear. There are lots of clothing for hunters designed to keep you warm, but also wick the sweat away if you start sweating.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    I dress a little warmer, put on the right shoes and go outside and run. Cold is not dangerous, being unprepared in the cold is. 20 degrees is a bit chill, but it won't kill you if you are dressed for it.

    I agree with this. I go outside and still walk and bike when I can
  • graciousdove
    graciousdove Posts: 28 Member
    I have lived in the North for 3 years and I absolutely hate it. Last year, I was so cold all of the time that I didn't even want to change clothes to work out at the gym. This year, I'm tyring to be more prepared. I have home workout programs and DVDs so I plan on warming myself up in my own home, then change clothes to work out once I am warm. This way I do not have to go outside at all (from car to gym then back to car) and once I'm inside, I can stay inside. I hope this works for you and good luck!
  • graciousdove
    graciousdove Posts: 28 Member
    Or.... If you want to stay out of the cold, what about some cardio type DVD's for inside? (Insanity, 10 Minute Trainer and other types of home DVD sets like that) That's what I use right now and it's working great.. I'm a Southern boy (born and raised) and I despise the cold. So, I feel your pain in not wanting to deal with it. (That's why I moved back down here) :)

    I so feel that! I am a born and raised Southern girl and I absolutely hate living in the the North and everything about it. I have homework DVDs so this year, I plan on staying inside and instead of hibernating like I really want to, I am going to force myself to work out. This way, I can be warm enough to change clothes and stay warm while working out!
  • Weezoh
    Weezoh Posts: 171 Member
    I'm assuming -20 F -- that can be pretty cold and dangerous due to windchills on unprotected skin that will probably push that temperature down a lot further (depending on your area) if it were -20 F I probably wouldn't go out. If you're talking -20C I wouldn't worry about it as much and make sure I was breathing through a scarf and minimize any exposed skin.

    Where I live the main danger with snow would be sidewalks / yards would be too icy so we might go out to the mall to walk (depending on roads). If the roads aren't cleared sufficiently I'd probably be shovelling snow so workout accomplished there.

    If you have other heath considerations though definitely don't risk it - you'll be putting your body through a lot more stress doing anything outside when temps are that low.
  • drakechic08
    drakechic08 Posts: 156 Member
    I also love walking and I have been doing a ton of hiking and we are getting cold weather here also. I usually would have stopped going outside, but this is the most I have ever hiked in my life, so I can't just let it go. I have stocked up on cold weather gear and I am even going to get Yaktraks for my shoes so I can walk on ice and snow easily. I am actually attempting a 14er this weekend with some friends and it is only going to be about 20 degrees and we just go snow last night and are expecting more tonight. I know for me the most important thing is covering my mouth and nose. You dont even have to spend a lot on stuff either. Just layer up and get something for your shoes so you dont slip and get hurt.
  • Superbritt2drescu
    Superbritt2drescu Posts: 273 Member
    My favorite word- gym. I am not cold friendly. When it gets cold, I get in the gym. They have indoor pool, racket ball, treadmills, weights, classes you name it. I wear an extra layer to the gym to stay warm, then just leave it in my locker when I get there. If you are going outside, I agree with the others to layer up.
  • cmcorn26
    cmcorn26 Posts: 253 Member
    I am from weather that cold and colder! buy a gym membership or invest in dvd workouts for the house, or a treadmill. my guess it is windy there too? being outside is dangerous in those temps, skin freezes quickly with a wind chill factored in.
    good luck and keep at it!
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    I just dress for it, I wont go out like sub zeros but betwen 0 and 32 is fine once I get warmed up I am peeling off cloths. Invest in some decent light weight gear any running store can help you out or outdoor store. I love going out in the colder weather with a light snow on the ground running the path (I run down a Paved path most of the way not a trail runner yet) no one else is out there nice and quiet. You just take it a bit slower if the path is snowy or icy.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    It's not too complicated.

    1. When the snow isn't thigh high, you can strap on some ice cleats: http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045/0788368P/sub-zero-sub-zero-full-foot-ice-cleats-reviews/reviews.htm. It's perfectly safe to walk with them. They grip the ice so you won't slip.

    2. When the snow is so high you can't possibly wade through it, get a workout DVD that you can do in your living room (like Jillian Michaels or something that doesn't require equipment).

    3. Do NOT let winter be an excuse NOT to workout. Winter is going to be around more then summer. if you let it dictate what you can do physically you're screwed.

    4. Shoveling snow is a GREAT exercise. Do it. Just do it. And then do your neighbors driveway too.

    5. Learn how to ski. Also great exercise.
  • stephcthomas
    stephcthomas Posts: 78 Member
    More about dressing appropriately - you may wanna do it in layers, in case you get hot...take pieces off until you settle on a temperature you like. You'll be a little chilly when you start but once you get moving, you will warm up! You do NOT wanna sweat a lot when you're out in the cold, cuz it can be very uncomfy when it freezes on you and chills you. Definitely wear some moisture-wicking clothing as your base layer, the one next to your skin. Look in to something like Under Armour or the equivalents in other brands. I never wanted to spend on this stuff before, but once I tried it (got one on discount at ****'s), it's changed my life. There are different fits for it too, so if the "fitted" or second skin style ones are too tight and uncomfy, the semi-fitted still very work well with getting the sweat off of your skin.

    This is great information!

    I think everyone has covered it but I wanted to mention that when you get outside to exercise in the winter, it helps keep the winter blues away and it goes by so much faster! Before you know it, spring is here.
  • DavidGough627
    DavidGough627 Posts: 11 Member
    Yep, it can get cold in Canada. Here are two of my suggestions.

    1. Check if there are community walking clubs in your area. In my small town there is one that meets at the local high school in the winter every Monday night.
    The community one over from mine has a walking club at the arena (It's a good sized arena and people walk the concourse) three mornings a week and they attract a good crowd.
    In larger centres many of the malls have walking clubs early in the morning. They open the doors early and you can walk while the stores are closed. Check into it.

    2. Curling. Don't knock it until you try it. I've curled for the past two years and it's a good workout if you sweep vigorously. Burns a lot of calories and gets the heart beating. It's also fun and social

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