5 great reasons to stay active this winter

January 22, 2020 In #AskAnExpert, Kintec Run Clinics, Tips and Tricks

5 Great Reasons to Stay Active This Winter

By Ryne Melcher, Director of Inventory at Kintec

1. Fresh is best
The studies keep piling up: exercising outside is better for you. Vitamin G^[1] (as it’s known for ‘green’ space) “…is associated with greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression, and increased energy.”

2. Colder is actually better
It’s easier to run in the cold^[2]—for our bodies, that is. Your heart doesn’t have to work as hard, and you sweat less so you can drink (and carry) less water. In fact, the ideal temperatures for longer runs is around 10°. While it might be harder to motivate yourself to get out in the cold, it will actually be easier on your body and better for you.

3. Enjoy the ride
Think of every walk or run as an adventure—an opportunity to explore new neighbourhoods,  parks,  trails, and communities.  Run with a friend, take in the scenery, and learn to love getting outside for your walk or run. 

4. Your spring-self will thank you
The benefits of regular exercise are well proven^[3], so just keep on truckin. Stopping for winter will just set you back. It can take months to build up your strength and fitness level but only a few weeks to start losing it when you stop.

5. Sleep better
There’s simply more oxygen in the air outside than inside, which is good for both your physical and mental health. A daily dose of fresh air can improve digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, and serotonin levels, helping to keep you calm, happy and relaxed, day and night.

Top Tips for Gearing Up and Staying Safe 

The right shoe and right fit
The right shoes make all the difference. Are you running or walking, on the road or trails, short or long distances, in the rain or snow? We’ll help you find the best winter running shoes with the right features. If you’ll be hitting wet slippery roads and/or snowy trails we’ll help you find shoes with the best treads and traction to keep you firmly on your feet.

Not only do you need the right shoes for the job, our Fit Experts will help you find the ideal match for: your unique  feet and  biomechanics,  any pain, injuries or conditions you might have, and most importantly, what feels best for you.

Shine bright
The days are grey and dusk comes early. Make sure you’re highly visible out there with reflective gear and lights for your shoes, waist, arms and head.  

Stay upright
Trekking poles can be a great option, especially off-road. They help stabilize and maintain balance, improve circulation, and reduce impact on knee joints and leg muscles . 

Layer up but not too much
It can feel frighteningly cold to start but within 10 minutes you’ll start warming up. You won’t want to be removing and carrying too many layers during your run, so dress as through it’s about 20° warmer outside than it really is.

When you’re running in colder temperatures, your body redirects blood to your core to warm you up, leaving your hands, ears and toes exposed. Use a hat or headband, gloves or mittens, and wool running socks. 

Warm up pre-run
It’s best if you can warm up thoroughly indoors before you step out into the cold. Get a light sweat on to keep you warmer during your first 10 minutes and prevent injury. Check out these 5 warm-ups for cold weather runs.

Quick change post-run
If you’re wet from sweat, rain or snow, get warm and dry as soon as possible to avoid your body temperature from dropping too quickly.

Read: Best Gear for Winter Workouts

Our Run Clinics start February 10th and 11th!

There are so many good reasons for you to get outside this winter and run with us. Everyone is welcome, from beginner to seasoned runners.

Here’s a few more good reasons to join:

experienced leaders who are expert runners and passionate about helping you succeed
tips on learning to run, running techniques, and preventing injury
support, motivation, friendship, and fun

References

[1] Groenewegen, P.P., van den Berg, A.E., de Vries, S. et al. Vitamin G: effects of green space on health, well-being, and social safety. BMC Public Health 6, 149 (2006) doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-149

[2] Molkov, Y. I., & Zaretsky, D. V. (2016). Why is it easier to run in the cold?. Temperature (Austin, Tex.), 3(4), 509–511. doi:10.1080/23328940.2016.1201182

[3] Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne, 174(6), 801–809. doi:10.1503/cmaj.051351

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5 Great Reasons to Stay Active This Winter

5 Great Reasons to Stay Active This Winter

Top Tips for Gearing Up and Staying Safe

Read: Best Gear for Winter Workouts

Our Run Clinics start February 10th and 11th!

References

[1] Groenewegen, P.P., van den Berg, A.E., de Vries, S. et al. Vitamin G: effects of green space on health, well-being, and social safety. BMC Public Health 6, 149 (2006) doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-149

[2] Molkov, Y. I., & Zaretsky, D. V. (2016). Why is it easier to run in the cold?. Temperature (Austin, Tex.), 3(4), 509–511. doi:10.1080/23328940.2016.1201182

[3] Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne, 174(6), 801–809. doi:10.1503/cmaj.051351

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