Working out in the cold/snow.

jhoney8

Does anyone have any tips/advice/tricks for staying motivated when you live somewhere cold and snowy? I like being outside when I exercise, but I am finding it very hard to stay motivated. Joining a gym really isn't an option and working out in my living room is kind of hard because of who I live with.

Do I just need to bite the bullet and freeze my butt off for 30-60 minutes? Is there any gear you find helpful?

ValerieMomof2

Yep, pretty much given what you say about limitations being inside and no gym. Layer layer layer and head out there. There's awesome cold weather gear out there so head to a sporting good store and stock up!

jilliew

The key to staying warm in the winter is staying DRY. Invest in some moisture-wicking work-out wear and make sure your warm clothes are made of material that can "breathe".

Greenrun99

When I was out shoveling the other day, it was probably around 20 F out, so fairly cold and I seen a lady running and she had a running suit and hood on that I imagine is made for cold weather running.. You can look into that stuff, not sure how much it is.. you would also probably want to look into getting good running shoes for traction in ice/snow.

Vansy

Since I work 6AM to 6PM I joined a gym (well really I joined a climbing gym that has workout equipment/weights/etc.) -- so for my work days I hit the gym and run on the treadmill and lift weights, and of course climb the heck out of the bouldering wall.

At least twice a week I bite the bullet and brave the cold -- in long tights, long yoga pants, 2 long sleeve shirts (a fitted one, and a training shirt), a sweatshirt, gloves, ear warmers, and two pairs of socks. After about 20 minutes you warm up and don't notice the cold too badly.
If the temperature is above 30 I brave the cold. Anything in the teens I'm still too much of a wuss and I hit the gym <-- granted I'm from Florida and I've only lived in a cold state since September....figure I'll adjust at some point.

But yes as mentioned, get materials that are made for cold weather. I wear a lot of Under Armor [more expensive, but worth every dollar] coldgear for my base layers. And a nice warm hat or ear warmer.

yoovie

I pretend i live in antarctica and Im fighting for my survival!!!!!!

Muddy_Yogi

Bundle up and suck it up!

jacksonpt

Bundle up and suck it up!

This.

Stop making excuses. Buy some decent clothes and get out there. Once you start sweating you won't even notice the cold.

iplayoutside19

I echo what other people have said. Get "wicking" or "technical" material for the layer that will be closest to you. (I prefer Pearl Izumi) Add additional layers depending on the conditions...lace em up and go. After 10 minutes you'll be good to go and you'll think it's awesome when you get done and you can see the steam coming off your head and gloves. Don't worry if ice forms in your hair or eye brows...it will be the first thing to melt when you go inside.

jhoney8

So I think I need to get the fancy wicking clothes for when it warms up a little. I fell (hard) on my butt slipping in the snow last week. I don't want to do that again so I think I will probably wait until it warms up a little to brave the outside. In the mean time I just sucked it up and demanded that everyone evacuate the living room so that I can do some DVDs. I will just have to be bossy and make doing what I need a priority, whether it makes people miffed or not. Health is important.

Thanks for the advice. I needed a butt kicking.

jacksonpt

Is there a reason you absolutely have to exercise?

trail_rnr

This will keep you from falling:

http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm

It costs about $2 and takes about 5 minutes, max (if you don't have a magnetic drill bit it might take you 7 minutes). You can take the screws out at the end of winter and continue to use your shoes.

The lightweight merino wool performance clothing that is out these days is amazing. I'm slowly replacing most of my fitness clothing with this stuff.

bostonwolf

With the proper gear you should have no real issues being outside. I live outside of Boston and train outside pretty regularly. You might be a bit cold right when you leave the house but body heat quickly takes care of that.

mnwalkingqueen

I would say yes but then if it below 15 degrees I don't go outside just do things like walk the stairs in my house.Today it is 25 degrees the sun is out and I am excited for a walk eventhough it has been snowing off and on.

meghannrenee

It was 5 degrees F this morning, wind chill of -13. I still took the dog out for a run, and I have a circulatory condition (Raynauds).

Bundle up - invest in good moisture wicking winter wear, and keep moving. I'm fine so long as I don't stop for long.

To give you an idea of what to wear:

this morning had on:

Thick smartwool socks
Fleece lined running tights
moisture wicking long sleeve base layer
sport fleece long sleeve over that
windbreaker
vest
gaiter
hat
2 pairs of gloves - smartwool liner, ski gloves over that

The first few minutes suck, but once your body's warm you should be fine.

porkchop_13

I have a stationary bike that I use instead of running or walking when its 9 degrees out (like today, I live in lovely Massachusetts). The gym is not an option for me. so I will do yoga and some strength training with weights. I also live on the second floor so i cant really do like P90X or anything like that or my downstairs neighbors would despise me! lol

Tiffany0688

Under Armour Cold Gear