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When
the weather cools, and the leaves begin to turn, outdoor workouts become
even more enticing–a long hike on a nature trail, a leisurely run
or biking excursion through apple country.
Winter exercise is another matter. Whether you exercise in the morning or
late afternoon, you find yourself battling the dark as well as the unfriendly
elements. And on those dark winter days when the wind is howling and snow
is falling, only the hardy are eager to venture out.
Whatever you do, don’t give in to the urge to curl up in front of
the fire and hibernate. Exercise is a lifetime commitment; give up the habit
for only a week, and it’s hard to get back into the swing; give it
up for a six to eight weeks, and you’re back to a couch potato level
of fitness.
Some exercise-minded individuals use winter as an excuse to take up a new
activity–cross country skiing, ice skating or snow shoeing. Devoted
runners and walkers, of course, continue their regular routines throughout
the year and may even prefer the winter workouts to the sweaty summer ones.
When you’re moving at a constant brisk pace, your body generates plenty
of heat, and there’s something nice about surveying the winter landscape
while feeling a light sweat build inside your exercise clothes.
The hardest part is getting out the door. You may feel tempted to stretch
longer than usual, and that’s good. You should also consider warming
up for a few minutes by running in place. Your muscles and joints are much
more vulnerable to injury when they’re cold.
Staying Warm
The key to staying warm is dressing in layers, preferably of lightweight,
high-tech fabrics especially made for winter exercise.
The inner layer, made of polypropylene or a similar microfiber, should
be breathable and able to wick moisture away from the skin. The middle
layer should provide insulation, and synthetic fleece is ideal for this
purpose. Many fleeces are waterproof as well, or at least quick drying
to get rid of perspiration. The outer layer or shell should be as windproof
and waterproof as possible.
Dress so that you feel a bit cold for the first mile or so; after that
time, you’ll feel 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature.
The advantage of dressing in layers is that you can strip the outer layers
off if conditions change or you get too warm. Some fabrics can be compressed
and stuffed into a fanny pack or pouch.
A hat is crucial since about 40 percent of body heat is lost through the
head and neck. Gloves are also essential and, like the hat, should be
made of breathable, water-resistant material.
Although hands and feet are farthest away from the heart and lacking insulating
fat tissue, they also tend to sweat during exercise. It may be more important
to have polypropylene glove and sock liners to wick the moisture than
to have too much insulation.
Some studies, paradoxically, have found that during long exposures (an
hour or more), too much insulation on the hands and feet can sometimes
cause body temperature to drop and cause shivering.
When it’s very cold, it’s important to keep skin covered.
Wet skin exposed to a chilling wind can become frost bitten very quickly–in
less than a minute, for example, when the wind chill is 25 degrees below
zero Fahrenheit. Frost bite doesn’t occur in temperatures above
freezing, however, no matter how bitter the wind.
Although you may not realize that you’re sweating, you’re
losing fluids during winter exercise. You need to get plenty to drink
before going out and consume about eight ounces of water for every 15
minutes of exercise. Since outdoor water fountains are rarely operating
in the winter months, it may be necessary to take along some water in
your fanny pack.
Finally, it’s important not to try to do too much. An hour is probably
long enough for a winter workout unless you’re a seasoned veteran
at cold weather activities. And observe some sensible limits: don’t
venture out when the temperature or chill factor is below zero or when
visibility and traction are severely limited by snow and ice.
For those occasions–and for those who’d just rather not brave
the elements–try some indoor workout options.
At a health club or Y, you can mix and match your exercise activities–30
minutes on a treadmill followed by 30 minutes on a stepper or exercise
bike. Each machine works a different set of muscles, allowing you to work
harder without fatiguing or overusing certain muscles.
The kind of cross training that’s possible at the health club will
help you avoid injuries and it will also allow you to get regular exercise
even when you are hobbled by an injury. With an injured foot, for example,
Marcy was able to work out regularly on the rowing machine and the exercise
bike.
Any of these machines can be effective in building cardiovascular fitness
and burning calories. Generally, at a “somewhat hard” pace,
you’ll burn about 700 calories an hour on a treadmill, 500 on an
exercise bike and 600 on a rowing machine or stair stepper.
You can save money on membership fees by getting your own exercise equipment.
The best bargains for nearly any kind of machine can be found at spring
yard sales–which should give you a clue: don’t invest in expensive
equipment unless you have a lasting commitment.
Some studies do show, however, that persons with exercise equipment at
home are more likely to maintain a regular exercise program than those
who go to a health club or gym.
What you have at home depends on the space you have and the money you’re
willing to spend. Treadmills like those found at health centers may cost
$20,000, but adequate home versions can be found for $300 to $700.
In addition to a treadmill, bike or stepper for aerobic conditioning,
you should consider at least a few free weights or other strength training
tools. Maintaining muscle mass and strength is just as important as cardiovascular
conditioning, particularly for persons over age 50.
Staying fit requires a varied, balanced program as well as a firm commitment
to stay motivated, regardless of weather conditions.
REFERENCES:
Amby Burfoot, “Winter Running Guide,”
Runner’s World online October 19, 2002.
Eileen Portz-Shovlin, “Jackets Required: We Tested These Jackets
in Winter Conditions To Find Out Which Ones Perform Best,” Runner’s
World, November, 1993.
Alex Pozniak, “Winter Warriors: Cold Weather Shouldn’t Put
a Freeze on Your Workout,” ABCNews.com, February 5, 2002.
Doug Thurston, “Running in Cooler Weather Is Safer with the Right
Gear,” Sacramento Bee, October 25, 2000.
“Winter Exercise: What To Do When the Weather Turns Cold,”
Mayo Clinic Health Letter, December, 1998.
“Winter Exercise: Cold-Weather Fitness,” MayoClinic.Com, October
16, 2002.
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