While it’s incredibly tempting to go into full-on hibernation mode as soon as the temperature drops and the leaves start to fall, there are a lot of ways to make winter exercise not only less traumatic, but actually enjoyable – and there are a lot of pros to braving the elements. If you don’t believe me (I’ll try not to take it personally), here are a few tips from the guys at Wildfitness – which hosts natural movement getaways around the world, plus Wildfitness Movement Jams in Hampstead Heath and Battersea Park – on how to avoid getting beaten by goosebumps…Seven reasons to work out in winter by Wildfitness
1. It improves your resilience “If we only venture into the outdoors under optimal conditions and weather we are giving our bodies a false sense of reality. The weather is changeable, and the more we expose ourselves to it – within reason and with appropriate scaling – the more adaptable and resilient we become to it and as humans.”
2. Extra focus on warming up could decrease your chance of injury “Before you rush out from the nice warm house into the cold, perform a few mobility drills in the areas you suffer with tension and tightness. Spinal, hip, ankle and shoulder rotations are great as they’re all common areas of restriction. This will decrease your chance of injury and, done on a regular basis, provide you with a better range of motion.”
3. It can help prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder “A lot of us suffer with emotional lows during the winter period, and the answer to this is to get outside as often as possible for your much-needed SAD suppressor, vitamin D. Vigorous movement on top of this will add a nice endorphin kick into the mix to left your mood and help you smile more.”
4. It’s an excuse to relax in a magnesium salt bath “The best part about training outdoors is getting home and sinking into a nice hot bath. Add magnesium salt to soothe aching muscles and help you relax into a state of pure bliss.”
6. It can save your spine “Winter tends to be the time we sit the most: breakfast, commute, desk, lunch, desk, commute home, dinner, TV, lots of sitting…sound familiar? Add regular and varied movement into your day, especially in the spine and hips which suffer a lot from the seated posture. Do this for at least five minutes, five times a day on top of more formal sessions.”
7. It keeps you in touch with nature “Avoid switching off to your environment and enjoy all the sounds, smells and tactile sensations that nature’s seasons provide us with. Scientific research has shown that heightened awareness and connection to nature has significant psycho-physical benefits, which are all more important during the winter months.”
Take The Lunge 