What’s your plan for the winter?
Indialove901
Posts: 71 Member
As the temperature begins to change and it gets cooler, what are those who exercise outside going to do? Are you getting a gym membership? Do you exercise outdoors year-round? I had no intentions on getting a gym membership but it looks like I may have to. I just started consistently exercising in May and I’m a warm climate kind of girl. What are your plans?
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It depends a bit on how winter is this year, last year was unusually mild here in Sweden.
But in general I intend to keep going with my outdoor running and maintain my mileage (avg 100km per month) so I have a good stepping stone in the spring. I have running shoes with extra grip for ice.
I got a bike this year which is my primary mode of transportation to indoor exercise like aerial yoga and padel. I will fit winter tires on it, but if weather goes crazy I may drop frequency of these activities.
I live very close by a swimming pool so my backup will be to take to up swimming.
My at-home yoga practice should continue without disruption so long as I can keep getting up early despite the darkness!8 -
I live in a hot climate, so I spent the last few months inside on the treadmill or taking Zoom classes. I am looking forward to cooler weather so I can walk outside and go horseback riding again, which I will do all winter. Also, my weights are in the garage, which has been unbearably hot the last few weeks with us being under constant heat advisories. Once it cools down I can get back to lifting consistently.7
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My wife and I were just talking about this. We have 3 acres so our outdoors is like our fitness playground. We are out in the country so going to a gym is not necessarily optimal. At this point, I think we have decided to bundle up in base layers and keep having at what we are currently doing. A lot of our yard has zero shade, so when the sun is out, we might actually fry! I agree though - I am a warmer climate type guy. I like being out in the heat. When sweating bullets, it just makes me feel good.
PS - we are in Virginia.2 -
You reminded me I need to shop for some waterproof trail shoes. I’m in Southern California so ‘winter’ is no big deal here. The only thing I really need to work around is rain, as I enjoy the cold a lot. The main trail I frequent once or twice a week closes at the first sprinkles, it’s a lot of clay mud and steep and rocky and ravines so I get it, people be slip-sliding off cliffs e’rywhere. There is a trail closer to me that is sandier/chalkier and I’m hoping between that and road I can get my runs in no problem.2
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I exercise outside year-round. It gets pretty cold here (Minnesota) and I found that having the right gear (hat, gloves, tights, etc) really, really helps.6
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I'll continue exercise outside in the form of skiing! I'm also in MN.6
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Great questions. The snow will start falling on Labor Day weekend. I will snowshoe and keep hiking unless it's a real blizzard. I used to sign up for the gym in the wintertime with good intentions but it was like throwing more money down another rathole. Major blizzards, slick icy roads...I'd just look out the window. I took it all back outside. I had to find things I could do for the rest of my life without any excuses. The best part about the winter is that I don't have to worry so much about the grizzly bears. I have a gym right outside my door. No membership dues required.2
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I'm going to wax up my skis. Looking forward to it. 😁3
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I'm building a home gym, and do my conditioning work outside. I hate winter, but I'll make do with training outside.1
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I run outside year round - looking forward to having more time flexibility with cooler weather! I get physically ill with heat and humidity so if I don’t get a run in first thing in the AM I won’t have a chance the rest of the day. In cooler weather I can run anytime I can or want to! I did have one not so fun day last year where I attempted to run in what I thought was going to be slush but the temp had already dropped so I battled ice patches for half a mile and gave up. I do have to be careful with temp fluctuations because anything drastic (high or low) can trigger a fibro flare that could last weeks. My functional range seems to get smaller each year which sucks.AwesomeSquirrel wrote: »It depends a bit on how winter is this year, last year was unusually mild here in Sweden.
But in general I intend to keep going with my outdoor running and maintain my mileage (avg 100km per month) so I have a good stepping stone in the spring. I have running shoes with extra grip for ice.
I got a bike this year which is my primary mode of transportation to indoor exercise like aerial yoga and padel. I will fit winter tires on it, but if weather goes crazy I may drop frequency of these activities.
I live very close by a swimming pool so my backup will be to take to up swimming.
My at-home yoga practice should continue without disruption so long as I can keep getting up early despite the darkness!
What kind of shoes do you use for ice?
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I run outside all year 'round and it gets cold here in winter; it's all in the layering. I don't bike outside in the winter though, once there's snow on the ground my bike is on the trainer.0
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Indialove901 wrote: »As the temperature begins to change and it gets cooler, what are those who exercise outside going to do? Are you getting a gym membership? Do you exercise outdoors year-round? I had no intentions on getting a gym membership but it looks like I may have to. I just started consistently exercising in May and I’m a warm climate kind of girl. What are your plans?
I dress for the occasion. I cycle outdoors year around. It can get cold here, but we don't get a lot of snow in the metro area so that's not usually an issue. If the weather is too in-climate, I have an indoor bike trainer I can mount my bike to and do YouTube spin classes or just watch TV and ride.
I also ski in the winter.2 -
For those that bike through the winter, what gear do you use? I am thinking ski goggles would be a nice addition - my eyes water so easily in the cold! Gloves, windproof jacket? I have the hardest time with layers, I like the pictographs for runners that show what you should wear for temp ranges, I refer to them often in anything but the warmest weather conditions.1
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Seeing this thread pop up over the past few days has gotten my anxiety up. I need to keep moving!
I'm now considering a slide board as well as continuing to run stairs in my condo building.
But if I can get out for some cross country skiing this winter, I'd be really happy.3 -
moonangel12 wrote: »
What kind of shoes do you use for ice?
I have Icebugs, similar to this model:
https://icebug.com/p/pytho4-m-bugrip-r-blackruby
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@Indialove901 : such the perfect time to ask that question!
In the New England, USA area, you never know what you're going to get in terms of weather, including snow. For the past two years, we've had light snow and I have been able to run right through the winter on the sidewalks without too much worry about slipping. It's challenging to get the clothing right at 15degF! I've had runs where I've actually overheated due to too much clothing. (Never run in a ski parka!)
If we get more snow, then there's the possibility of snowshoeing or cross country skiing. The sport of winter fat-tire cycling also looks like fun. I've also wanted to try winter hiking. My indoor go-to's will be my own stationary bike and calisthenics in the family room. I'll not set foot in a gym until there's a vaccine!5 -
moonangel12 wrote: »For those that bike through the winter, what gear do you use? I am thinking ski goggles would be a nice addition - my eyes water so easily in the cold! Gloves, windproof jacket? I have the hardest time with layers, I like the pictographs for runners that show what you should wear for temp ranges, I refer to them often in anything but the warmest weather conditions.
I wear merino glove liners, long pants, a long sleeve base layer, and a softshell. Softshell meaning not completely wind or water -proof, it needs to breathe or I'm going to overheat going up hills, get all sweaty, and then freeze. A jacket that blocks most of the wind but lets a little in for cooling and to let heat and water vapor out works a lot better.
(Goretex ShakeDry is the $$$ exception, that stuff breathes fantastically.)
I don't find those what to wear at X degrees things very useful for three reasons. I run warm, so I'm comfortable with less insulation. Dew point has a big effect on how you feel. Most important, I need to dress for the effort I'm going to put out. A Z2 ride means I won't be making much heat, so I need to dress warmer, but if I'm going out to do hill repeats, I need to wear a lot less.0 -
I plan on continuing to exercise outside during the winter, and I live in Vermont. I don't know if trail running is a thing in the winter (my new favorite "sport") but im definitely looking forward to snow shooing the trails this winter, and if I can't run any of them then I will just run the roads.2
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Go into a deficit. Start a cutting cycle. And trim down before starting a new mass cycle in March which I will run for 16 weeks.2
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You all make me feel like a wimp! I'm in Southern AZ, have been working out at home outside since March, and am dreading coming winter. I'm not sure if I'll be comfortable returning to the gym by then, but dont want to invest in more home equipment until I know if I'm going to be able to brave the winter morning workouts.1
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Having grown up in Phx, this made me laughBABeautifulBadass wrote: »You all make me feel like a wimp! I'm in Southern AZ, have been working out at home outside since March, and am dreading coming winter. I'm not sure if I'll be comfortable returning to the gym by then, but dont want to invest in more home equipment until I know if I'm going to be able to brave the winter morning workouts.
I would be the other way, hunkered down in summer waiting for winter weather to get outdoors!
I love the wide variety our country offers (US) in terms of wether! It makes for fun conversations
went to a national training event held in CO Springs in April a coupl years ago. The weather had drastically changed from the original forecast and we were loading up the vans at the airport in flurries. I was lucky enough to be with the group from Los Angeles - one girl had never even seen snow in person 
she spent the week cold because she didn’t bring enough clothes for the weather (dresses and leggings, no over layers at all... IIRC she didn’t even own a jacket).
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Same thing I do in the summer. Run. In the winter I'll no doubt run further and faster since summer heat and humidity is horrible for endurance. About the only thing I dislike is wind but with proper clothing it can be managed as well.
Find something you love to do and it won't matter the conditions. If you have to force it when it's 'nice', you won't do it at all when the weather changes.
Good luck.2 -
I'll plan to do about the same thing I"ve been doing for around 15 years now: Wind down on-water rowing season, slightly in denial as bad weather limits safe rowing as many days a week as I'd like, leading to reduced total exercise load; then commit myself to do the Concept 2 Holiday Challenge, which will make me want to throw the (bleep) machine through the window into a snowbank on Christmas Eve. Nonetheless, I'll grumpily keep going with less frequent rowing machine workouts until I Can't Even. Hopefully, by then, it will be getting close to on-water season again, which will save me from ennui and inactivity, to play another seasonal round.
Usually, I'd be going to spin class twice a week, too, but I'm not likely going back anytime soon. As a wrinkly, of age 64, I'm more than averagely Covid-vulnerable. That chick on the bike next to me, who I'm pretty sure gave me the cold I got in February or so that turned into a cough for weeks, will amost certainly go back, but this time she'll probably be spreading Covid. Don't need it, don't want it.
Also, I'll strength train at home . . . if I have to. I don't like strength training, even though it's Good For Me. 🙄🤷♀️5 -
I'll plan to do about the same thing I"ve been doing for around 15 years now: Wind down on-water rowing season, slightly in denial as bad weather limits safe rowing as many days a week as I'd like, leading to reduced total exercise load; then commit myself to do the Concept 2 Holiday Challenge, which will make me want to throw the (bleep) machine through the window into a snowbank on Christmas Eve. Nonetheless, I'll grumpily keep going with less frequent rowing machine workouts until I Can't Even. Hopefully, by then, it will be getting close to on-water season again, which will save me from ennui and inactivity, to play another seasonal round.
Usually, I'd be going to spin class twice a week, too, but I'm not likely going back anytime soon. As a wrinkly, of age 64, I'm more than averagely Covid-vulnerable. That chick on the bike next to me, who I'm pretty sure gave me the cold I got in February or so that turned into a cough for weeks, will amost certainly go back, but this time she'll probably be spreading Covid. Don't need it, don't want it.
Also, I'll strength train at home . . . if I have to. I don't like strength training, even though it's Good For Me. 🙄🤷♀️
I totally needed that LOL you gave me this AM with the Concept 2 comments.
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METALforCHRIST wrote: »I plan on continuing to exercise outside during the winter, and I live in Vermont. I don't know if trail running is a thing in the winter (my new favorite "sport") but im definitely looking forward to snow shooing the trails this winter, and if I can't run any of them then I will just run the roads.
I've never been serious enough to consider buying them (I have recreational paths & a wooded area close to home) but there are snowshoes designed specifically for running on groomed trails.0 -
My problem in the winter isn't the temperature, it's the shortened daylight hours. I leave for work before the sun is up and by the time i get home at the end of the day it will be already be dusk or very close to it. That leaves only weekends for outdoor workouts. How do other people exercise outdoors when it's dark?1
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northdakota84 wrote: »My problem in the winter isn't the temperature, it's the shortened daylight hours. I leave for work before the sun is up and by the time i get home at the end of the day it will be already be dusk or very close to it. That leaves only weekends for outdoor workouts. How do other people exercise outdoors when it's dark?
Wearing hi-viz clothing, extra reflective details and a headlamp.
This year since I’ll be working from home I’ll try for mid-day workouts a couple of times during the workweek. It means I’ll have to limit myself to shorter runs (unless my speed drastically improves) but I’m OK with that.1 -
I exercise outdoors year-round. Hot, cold, rain, snow. Doesn't matter to me. I just dress accordingly. About the only weather I won't go out in is when there's lightning in the area.1
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I live in So AZ as well. I have my rower out on the deck and just got a Weider Total Gym knockoff ($150 on sale at Wally World). I'll likely put that out on the deck as well and workout outside. When it gets "cold" here in AZ (it can get down close to 30 for lows), I put on my old Ohio Winter runner gear and workout in the sunshine. The rower has wheels and I just wheel it out in the middle of my sidewalk, which runs through the gravel.
I'm going biking a lot more. Just bought two bikes as well for the wife and I late last Spring. Didn't get to enjoy those long before we had the wildfires here in early June. Once the smoke cleared out, we had record heat in July, August and have had a hot September until this week. It was 62 this AM and felt glorious!1 -
I run in the dark often in winter months, and even year round (had a couple late night runs this summer). I have a chest light that also has a red triangle light on the back. I like it better than a head lamp because I can look around without the light going every which way (I feel bad if I hear a noise, glance over, only to scare or blind someone who is taking their dog out... has happened multiple timesAwesomeSquirrel wrote: »northdakota84 wrote: »My problem in the winter isn't the temperature, it's the shortened daylight hours. I leave for work before the sun is up and by the time i get home at the end of the day it will be already be dusk or very close to it. That leaves only weekends for outdoor workouts. How do other people exercise outdoors when it's dark?
Wearing hi-viz clothing, extra reflective details and a headlamp.
This year since I’ll be working from home I’ll try for mid-day workouts a couple of times during the workweek. It means I’ll have to limit myself to shorter runs (unless my speed drastically improves) but I’m OK with that. ). I have reflector straps for around my ankles, and bright clothing for the rest of my body (my main wardrobe is very bland - lots of black, gray, a little coral thrown in for good measure - but my running clothes are pink, orange, and chartreuse!). Most of my hats have reflective strips on them.
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