Sabrina Roblin has been training with Double Eagle Fitness for four months and today she shares her insight on how to dress for cold weather workouts.

Lycra and spandex breathe and wick away sweat from the body

Working out during the winter in the outdoors is invigorating and wearing the right clothes is important both for health, warmth, and comfort.  Manmade fabrics such as polyester, lycra and spandex are your best friend for this as they will wick moisture from your body and dry quickly once damp with sweat or wet from the weather.  Layering them is the key. That way you will be warm to start and can peel layers as needed during your workout and as the weather demands.

Layering shirts

For the upper body, I recommend you start with four layers (see photo left).  First, you want to have an initial layer to wick moisture from your core.  For this, find a sleeveless or short sleeve top that you like.  For the next layer, a light weight long sleeve t- shirt that zips at the neck is great.  I like those better than a crew neck, as they are easier to take on and off and sometimes just the difference between opening and closing the zipper can help to regulate your body temperature as you’re working out.

Next, have a heavier long sleeve top for warmth – more like a fleece.  Again, you can go crew neck or have one that zips at the neck for easy on and off.  For the outer layer, you need a shell that will break the wind.  As you sweat, even if you end up taking off your 3^rd warmth layer, you will need to have a windbreaker shell or jacket so that you don’t get chilled by the cold or the wind once you are sweaty.  Start with four layers, experiment, and learn what works best for you.

Reflecting outer shell

As it gets dark early during the winter, and you are training outside, you may be working out in a busy area at dusk or after dark.  If so, find a shell that reflects the light.  You can find them in bright yellow and lime green.  You’ll be safer in these as motorists will be able to see you more easily.

Under Armour cold weather gear compression leggings

For the lower body, there are a lot of different types of tights and pants you can choose from.  Some are form-fitting and some fit like a regular pant that has spandex in it so that it stretches with you during your workout.  Try on some different styles and find what you like best.  For winter, it’s best to have a full length pant or tight, again from manmade fabrics.  This will keep your muscles and joints protected from the cold and the wind.

Don’t forget your head, hands and feet.  I find that a hat is usually too warm for me if I’m working out, but I carry one in case I need it.  It can be useful after the workout to keep you from getting chilled as you cool down. I have a simple beanie made of manmade material that is tightly woven, stretchy and soft so that it doesn’t itch when I have it on.  For my hands I have a pair of polypropylene gloves usually used as glove liners.

These are light weight, and are just enough to keep my fingers and hands warm without being too hot, and as they are a lightweight fabric, they don’t restrict my hand movement.  Also, they protect my hands if I’m doing push-ups on the cold ground.  For socks, I also wear a manmade blend of fabrics rather than an all-cotton sock.  In winter, I wear one that comes up to mid-calf to keep my ankle joints warm and protected.