Cold-Weather Workouts: How To Exercise In Style This Winter

Does your fitness tend to fade away with summer? You’re not alone. The number of Americans who say they regularly work out tends to fall by over 10% during the cold months, with people reporting feeling less motivated and being put off by frosty temperatures. It’s tempting to join them, but doing so could have big implications for your health.

On the flip side, it’s proven that winter workouts can be highly beneficial. Of course, it’s always good to exercise, but doing so in the cold can be even better for endurance, as the body stays cooler and the heart doesn’t have to work as hard.

So, how can you motivate yourself to actually get out the door? In our experience, having the right kit makes all the difference. Particularly when it looks the part as well as being warm. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Very to walk you through the best Nike kit for your winter workouts. Whether you’re running, lifting, or just rolling out the yoga mat, here are the garments that will help you to do it in style, no matter how cold it gets.

Hitting The Streets

Getting yourself out of bed and outside for a run can be a real struggle when it’s cold and dark. That said, it’s a lot easier when you have the right tools at your disposal. Getting the balance is tricky – wrap up too much and you’ll be overheating in no time, but underdress and the icy temperatures will hinder your performance.

To nail it, there are three key pieces you’ll need: a long-sleeved running top, some running tights/trousers and a good pair of running shoes with a grippy sole for traction. Luckily, Nike leads the industry when it comes to all things running related, so there’s no need to shop around.

A good winter running top will have full-length sleeves and a high neck with a three-quarter zip. This allows you to zip it up to battle the cold, or leave it open for ventilation. Nike’s running tops are made from the brand’s industry-leading Dri-Fit fabric, which is designed to wick moisture away from the skin to keep you comfortable and cool.

Matching legwear will keep those all-important leg muscles nice and warm and a compression fit will ensure they perform as efficiently as possible. Look out for garments that have reflective details too, which will make you more visible when running in dark, dank winter conditions.

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Hitting The Gym

It might be indoors, but that doesn’t always mean the gym is warm. Quite the opposite in fact. Early morning sessions in the depths of winter are invariably a frosty affair… and don’t get us started on the frigid walk to get there.

Shorts and a T-shirt will suffice for most of your gym sessions throughout the year, but when the weather turns bitter, you’d better have some suitable kit on hand. We’re talking sweatpants, a long-sleeve training top and a nice thick coat to keep you warm on the commute.

Yes, that’s right. A big coat isn’t usually at the top of a gym-gear shopping list, but it’s a vital piece in cold weather. An insulated jacket will keep the chill out and keep your muscles warm so that you’re raring to go by the time you get on the bench.

If you’re worried about overheating in sweatpants once your workout is underway, why not take a pair of shorts too? This is where a good gym bag comes in handy, allowing you to add and remove layers as and when you need to and keep them stashed away.

Last but not least, quality sneakers are essential. Rather than going for an all-out running shoe, opt for something versatile – a good all-rounder. This way, you can leap from treadmill to squat rack with ease.

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Hitting The Mat

Muscles can seize up in the cold. It can make you feel stiff and sluggish. This is why yoga is such a great activity to get involved with in the winter months. It’ll keep you limber, energised and can even boost your immune system.

T-shirts and shorts are fine for warm-weather yoga, but the cold weather requires a different type of kit. Think hoodies, sweatshirts and nice stretchy pants. Nike’s yoga range offers all of the above.

All of Nike’s yoga kit is again made using the brand’s Dri-Fit fabric. It’s comfortable and stretchy to allow fluid movement, but it’s also designed to wick moisture away from the skin. So, not only will it keep you warm when it’s cold out, it’ll also keep you cool when the session heats up. Plus, it looks great too.

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A paid partnership with very.co.uk – words and opinion Ape’s own

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison is Ape's Style Editor. His work has been published in Esquire, Men’s Health, ShortList, The Independent and more. An outerwear and sneaker fanatic, his finger is firmly on the pulse for the latest trends, while always maintaining an interest in classic style.