Tips for exercising in cold weather

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Remember the rewards

Tim Ives is a personal trainer in Des Moines, where the average daily temperature in January barely tops 19°F.  “Approach winter as a welcome change to your training,” he suggests. “Work on things that you wouldn’t work on in the summer.” Think about trying weight training or a spinning class.

And set a goal, preferably a few months away. “Maybe it’s a cruise you want to look good for in mid-February,” Ives says. “Maybe it’s a class reunion. If I’m in training for a spring race, it keeps me going out the door.”

Remember, too, that workouts will help you feel better in the short-term. Shorter, darker days can induce winter blues, but studies show that exercise helps combat depression. “I like to think of it as thoughtful exercise,” Robinson says of her Pilates routines. “You forget about your other worries. You could be on a sunny beach somewhere.”

If you’re struggling to stick to a routine, find a way to make yourself accountable. Sign up for an exercise class or find a workout buddy. It’s harder to skip that walk when you have to pick up the phone and tell someone you’re backing out.