As we approach the peak of winter, the cold weather discourages us all to train, class attendance decreases and training motivation lessens. But aside from the demotivation which arises with cold weather, there are significant benefits to training in cold weather conditions. Although the cold weather puts most of us into mental and physical hibernation as opposed to going to the gym, awareness of the benefits of cold weather training may help to increase your drive for training. So if you don’t want to lose those 2017 gains, read on:
Opens up new training opportunities
The cold weather can prove very opportunistic in regards to sports training, for example cold weather sports such as Ice Skating, Snowboarding or the most popular option skiing. So if you are travelling somewhere cold this winter, perhaps look into winter sporting opportunities available near by, for all you know it may become a new hobby for you. When looked at from this angle, winter can apear very advantageous.
Taxes your cardiovascular system in a different way
When the body is placed under extreme weather conditions, the cardiovascular sytem is forced to work harder, thus the functionality of the heart is challenged which in the long run and help strengthen the heart and help to reduce cardiovascular disease. It does this by forcing the heart to pump more blood around the training body, however this training style is only advised to training individuals and could have an opposite effect on sedentary individuals.
You’ll burn extra calories
Acording to recent research training in the cold yields a higher metabolic increase, this is due to the body expending additional energy to remain warm, which leads to high calorific expenditure and fat burning. For some this might be the season where most gains are made.
Boosts immunity
How many get sick during the cold winter months? Well this could be because you are not training. Training in the cold strengthens the body’s ability to work at peak levels, Some studies in the U.K. found that by training during the cold months, you are 20 to 30% less likely to succumb to the flu. If that doesn’t get you training, what will?
Written by Daniyal Siddiqui.