It may be a common saying that you may catch the ‘common cold’ if you step out for workout in winters. However, according to Dr Bela Sharma, senior consultant, Internal medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, cold often spreads from contact with everyone indoors. “Common cold is caused by a variety of viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus and staying in closed environment,” says Dr. Sharma.
Clearly, its time to give the idiot box some rest, get into your workout gear and get grooving. Low temperatures alone do not make you catch a cold and working out in cold weather is definitely one of the winter myths.
Also Read : Five Winter Myths: Now Busted!
Another winter workout myth is longer workout warm-up. A warm- up warms up the muscles that get ready for exercising. Since the body takes longer time to acclimatize to the cold weather, your warm up should also be longer lasting to 10 -15 minutes. However, in comparison to your summer workout regime, shorten your winter workout as it may get darker than you thought during the short days of winter season. You can opt for morning and evening winter workout if time allows.
Still not convinced?
The cold weather outdoors and occasional dark mornings may impede your winter workout plans but spending time outdoors has manifold benefits.
Beat the winter blues
If you are not an early riser, wait up some more and head out when the sun starts to peek out of the sky. Consuming enough sunlight helps in beating the seasonal affective disorder or the winter blues. Sunlight is believed to release neurotransmitters in the brain that affects the mood swings in a good way. No wonder, spend more time outdoors to avoid winter depression that may arise due to gloomy atmosphere by staying indoors for prolonged period of time.
Save on gym membership
Winter season is the best time that every gym owner eyes for. The cold weather compelling everyone to stay indoors and opt for a workout regime that is confined to four walls is the preference of many and desire of gym owners. Though, walking or jogging outdoors while you get to admire the scenery around you and breathe the fresh air is much better than sweating in their facilities. It’s also a natural way to cut on the hefty gym membership.
In order to reap these benefits, all you need is a bit of safety. With few precautions and safety measures you can easily enjoy a winter workout just like in summers.
First things first, your normal gear will not be sufficient for your winter workout. You need to cover up yourself from head to toe. You are not required to cosy up in the wool but pack yourself in layers and investment a little in the essential winter workout wear.
Also Read: Gear up for winter workout: Essential Wear
But, but, but if you can’t muster courage at all to wake up in the morning and head out, taking up a winter sport may fill in the gap. The thrill of the sport and a substitute for morning winter workout makes winter sports ideal. Whether you take up snow sports, adventure sports or simple winter sports like ice hockey, working up the body is important for a healthy living and shedding off that extra weight gained during Christmas and New Year’s parties.
So in reality, spending more time outdoors can be healthy for you. What you have to do is just dress up in layers and keep a check on the duration of your workout. You are all set to enjoy the cold weather with aplomb!
