As the month of November draws to a close and December gets closer, it can be easy to neglect a fitness routine. However braving the cold weather and doing some exercise outside can actually offer a number of health benefits that can’t be achieved as easily in warmer temperatures.
Did you know that people living in much colder climates can require an average of 5000 calories per day as their recommended daily intake? This is because the colder temperatures mean that the body needs to work much harder to maintain its core temperature, and during the winter months this is certainly something you could use to benefit male health. The reason for this is because your body needs to work harder to maintain its core temperature. More energy is needed to keep you warm and this extra energy comes from calories. Not only are you working harder through physical activity, but your body is also working extra hard inside.
One complaint during the cold, winter months is the lack of sun exposure and a drop in vitamin D intake. If you can get yourself outside exercising each day for at least half hour an hour you will still be able to benefit from a proper vitamin D intake. The sun is still there in the winter and any exposure will benefit your health. That being said, you should also make sure you wear SPF before a workout as you can still be affected by UV exposure.
Working out in the cold can help you strengthen your heart. We mentioned earlier that the body needs to work harder in the cold, and one area which works much harder in the cold is the cardiovascular system. The heart needs to work harder to get blood and oxygen around the body when temperatures drop. This can make the heart muscle stronger and build up its strength for more intense workouts in the future. An important thing to remember here however is only beneficial to those with good cardiovascular health. If you struggle with an existing cardiovascular illness or problem you should refrain from putting extra stress on your heart as it could make things worse.
There’s nothing better than the feeling after a good workout, and the cold weather can actually exacerbate this. For a start, once you’re used to it, the colder temperatures can be quite refreshing and energising unlike the hotter, more humid weather during the summer months. Secondly, because your body works so much harder to keep warm it also releases a lot more endorphins which act as the body’s natural painkiller and feel good hormone. Finally, working out in the fresh air can give you some real down time and let you clear your head and stay focused on your goals.
Cold weather workouts can be great for both your body and mind. You should keep your existing physical health in mind and seek advice from a doctor before embarking on any new activities if you have any existing health conditions.
We forgot to mention one great thing about a cold weather workout – and that’s the warm up afterwards! One of our favourites ways to warm up after being out in the cold is to indulge in a relaxing sauna session. The heat not only relaxes you, but it also helps to soothe those tired muscles. If you’d like to visit The Stable after a winter workout you can find us in central London just a few minutes away from Covent Garden and Soho’s gay village. For more information please visit our rates and times page
