Image via Complex Original
Saturday was the official start of Winter. For most, the season is below 50-degree temperatures for three months. Winter happens at a funny time also, just 10 days before the new year. You know, it's “Happy New Year!” and then National Go to the Gym Day. You’ve got a better chance of flying standby on Thanksgiving than you do finding an open treadmill. You’re committed to this New Year’s Resolution of working out, but no open treadmills means you’ve got to run outside. Don’t worry, running outside is a better workout than the treadmill anyway. But before you go outside to train, here are 10 tips to make sure you don't freeze your ass off.
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Start With Wick
You’re going to be sweating, and it’s going to be very cold outside—that is not a good combination. You’re going to get colder and possibly sick if you’ve got on a regular cotton t-shirt. Do yourself a favor and leave that cotton under shirt at home where it belongs. The first thing you should put on is a wick base layer. The wick keeps you cool, warm, and dry while you work out.
Layer Up
Pile on those clothes. Now that you’ve got a base layer on you’re going to need more. It’s cold outside! A long-sleeve shirt or hoodie should do the job. The more layers you have on, the warmer you’ll be. Also, the more layers you have on, the more you’ll sweat which means you’re burning more calories.
A Non-Cotton Jacket
Base layer, check. Long-sleeve shirt, check. Now you need a jacket. (It’s the final layer, relax.) I know you’ve packed on the clothes, but trust me, once you step outside in that freezing weather, you’ll thank me. Your outer layer should never be cotton. It doesn’t retain moisture nor does it block wind. Anything you can wear that’s polyester, waterproof, and breathable should do the trick.
Gloves
Heat leaves your body through your head, feet, and hands. You’ve got your shoes and socks on, and you better be wearing the hood of your hoodie or jacket. Now, you need to keep those hands warm. Look for gloves that have a special inner coating that absorbs and retains your own body heat. A great glove also has a moisture transplant system that wicks sweat away from the body. The last thing you should look for in a glove is that it has special traction on the fingers and palms that allows for superior grip for touch screens, so that you can use your mobile phone without having to take them off.
Tights
Dude, it’s cold outside! Shorts are a definite no-go. Cotton joggers? We’ve had this discussion about cotton in the winter already. What you need are some leggings. Make sure they’re wick based so they can keep you warm and keep the sweat away. If rocking the tights solo feels a bit too metrosexual for you, throw some shorts on over it, but don’t train without ’em.
Socks
This is a no brainer, as you should also wear socks in the summer. No one wants a pair of stinky sneakers. And since it’s cold outside, it might not be a bad idea to double up your socks either.
Shoes
Barefoot running is becoming popular, but you need something that allows you to run and train. You need to be able to move and cut—especially outside in the winter. Make sure your shoe is comfortable and can get the job done in style.
Headwear
As has been stated with the gloves, most heat leaves your body through your head. Leave the fitted inside here. A nice fleece beanie will do you right.
Music
Whether it’s hip-hop, EDM, classics, whatever, you need some good music to listen to while you’re out there tearing it up, toning your body, and fighting the cold. Just make sure the headphone you have will fit under than hat on your head.
Stretch
It seems simple, but many people don’t stretch before they workout—even in the summer. It takes your muscles and joints longer to get warmer in the cold weather. A good stretch is a must, because if you don’t you may pull something before you even break a sweat.