GETFIT Blog

By Joli Guenther, MSSW, NASM-CPT

Fitness Equipment and treadmills are great for letting us stay fit in any weather, but it’s hard to beat an outdoor run both for the emotional lift and the physical challenge. There’s just something rewarding about heading out for a run when the snow is blowing. If you’re thinking of mixing some outdoor workouts in with your treadmill routines, you’re probably finding yourself wondering how to dress for the weather. A common mistake among new winter runners is overdressing. The key to cold weather clothing is using layers effectively. You’ll want to be sure that the layer next to your skin is a wicking layer, both top and bottom. Unless the weather is very cold, thick running tights will get you through on the bottom half, but add a windbreaker on your upper body. In frigid temperatures (wind chills or temps below ten degrees Fahrenheit), you’ll want to add a windbreaker layer to the bottom and an insulating layer under your windbreaker on the top. Another great tool for winter running is to switch your lightweight running shoes for a pair of trail runners. You can read more about layering for winter running by clicking here.