The cold, dark days of winter bring with them the temptation to take cover in the gym for the season or to put your workout routine on the shelf until you see the spring sun.

What you may not know is that you can actually get additional health benefits from taking your winter workout outside instead of becoming a treadmill robot at the crowded local gym!

5 Surprising Benefits of Outdoor Winter Workouts

1. It’s Heart Healthy

The body needs to keep the blood flowing despite the more extreme climate. The heart must work harder to distribute the blood throughout the body in the cold weather. 

If you are someone who has any concerns regarding your heart, you should talk to your doctor before exercising outdoors in the winter.

However, if you are someone with a healthy heart who exercises consistently, exercising in the cold weather can challenge your heart and make the heart muscle even stronger!

But remember, if you have any doubt about your heart’s health or your ability to exercise in the winter weather, definitely consult your physician.

2. It Will Improve Endurance Performance

An outdoor winter workout challenges the heart, lungs and circulatory system. This helps athletes improve their endurance performance.

If you are a long distance runner or cyclist, taking your workout into the cold could help you improve your endurance to be better prepared for spring race.

3. You’ll Burn More Calories

When exercising in the cold, the body actually works harder to regulate its internal temperature. Your metabolic rate (the rate at which the body burns calories) is elevated to warm your body.

This extra work translates to a more efficient workout with slightly more calories burned.

4. It Will Make You Happy

Cold weather exercise will leave you happier than you may expect!

When your body is working extra hard to maintain its internal temperature and keep the blood flowing, it is not only burning more calories but also making more endorphins, which are what help put that big smile on your face after a workout.

Outdoor exercise can help fend off seasonal affective disorder. This is what makes people a little moody in the winter due to the lack of sunlight and warm weather.

The more sunlight you get throughout the day, the more serotonin your brain releases, which helps regulate your mood.

Keep Your Winter Workouts Safe

Hydrate

Sweat evaporates more quickly in cold weather, therefore you may not feel like you are sweating as much and may not worry about replenishing your fluids as quickly.

This is why it is very important to hydrate before, during, and after your winter workout.

Warm-Up and Cool-Down

Warm-up and cool-down routines are even more essential in the wintertime.

A proper warm-up and cool-down will help keep your internal temperature at an appropriate level and reduce muscle tightness and soreness post exercise.

It is important to keep the body stretched and loose to prevent injury.

Dress Appropriately

Remember to dress appropriately with enough layers that can easily be taken off if necessary.

Choose moisture wicking fabrics, which help to keep the body at a healthy temperature. Moisture-wicking fabrics transport perspiration away from skin to keep the body dry and prevent skin chafing.

You also want to keep all extremities (face, fingers and toes) warm to prevent them from being frostbitten! That may mean wearing not only a hat and gloves, but also thermal socks.

If you feel any pain or tingling in your ears, fingers or toes, it is probably time to go inside and warm up.

Now that you know the benefits of taking your workout outside this winter, hydrate, dress appropriately, warm-up and hit the streets! Get up, Get out, Get Happy  :)