Tips For Enjoyable Winter Workouts
From the comfort of your warm, cosy bed it’s difficult to find any logical reason as to why you should obey your alarm and get up to go and exercise. But it’s worth bearing in mind that physically and mentally, the benefits of exercise at this time of year are almost greater than they are in the summer.
© Harper’s Bazaar / Andreas Ortner
WHAT YOU GAIN
Strengthen your immune system
Your immune system is greatly boosted by regular exercise, helping it to fight off bacterial and viral infections that are so easily spread at this time of year.
Get some Vitamin D
If you do your exercise once the sun has risen, you’re going to get a much needed dose of Vitamin D which is harder to come by in winter months but crucial for brain development and function, amongst other things.
Warm your muscles and your heart
The warmth that exercise generates in your body has a calming, therapeutic effect, much like a soak in a warm bath or sauna.
Release feel-good chemicals
After about 10 minutes of physical activity the brain starts to release it’s ‘feel-good’ chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which both help to reduce anxiety and depression (more prevalent at this time of year) and provide a boost to wellbeing.
Balance the scales
Exercising during winter months will bring some much needed balance to a diet that can easily fall prey to the excesses of the season.
Charlotte Hoodie © Ernest Leoty
HOW YOU GAIN
Improvise
Instead of feeling like you have to head to the gym, improvise with what's available and convenient to you. Chop logs for the fire, take the kids sledging, or just enjoy a long walk in the park to soak up that crisp, wintry air and attain a healthy glow in the process.
Alessandra Oram at home in her Ernest Leoty Ilona Bodysuit © Alessandra Oram (@absmo)
Stay Home
Whilst the advantages of getting outdoors can’t be denied, there’s nothing to say you can’t benefit from a home workout once a week in amongst your other activities. Check out what’s available on YouTube or there are tons of great home workout apps.
Camille Cardigan © Ernest Leoty
Top Up
Wearing the right gear is fundamental to feeling comfortable whilst exercising in cold weather so invest in some luxurious sports-inspired knitwear. And let’s be honest, having a great outfit to show off is motivation enough.
Lottie Murphy in Ernest Leoty Saskia Leggings, and Cat Meffan © Lottie Murphy
Q: Recruit Friends
A problem shared is a problem halved as the old adage goes so find a friend - preferably a self-disciplined one - who will pick up the slack when your enthusiasm is waning and refuses to take no for an answer.
Sophie Trem in the Ernest Leoty Ilona Bodysuit at The Ritz Club Paris © Ernest Leoty
Keep Warm
If the idea of a run in the cold is just too much for you, select workouts that are indoors and that take place in warm environments. Swim, do hot yoga, take a HIIT class, and finish it off with a steam or hammam to pamper yourself.
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