by David Aaron White

Created on: November 10, 2009

Cold outside? A cold winter doesn't have to interrupt your exercise routine because you don't have to do all your exercise outside and can easily make use of a gym or other indoor facilities to get in a good workout. Yes, if you like to run outside (believe me, it's much more invigorating than running on a treadmill), then you'll be disappointed if you're forced to stay inside due to the cold weather, but the fact of the matter is that you will still be able to work out during even the coldest of winters because the weather cannot stop you from moving around indoors.

If you don't mind running on a treadmill, you can purchase one for your home or join a gym that has them; if you're not going to use other features of the gym, though, it's probably more worthwhile to just buy the treadmill. As aforementioned, running on a treadmill can be boring and isn't nearly as exciting running outside, but it's still a workout. Treadmills are useful when you feel that it is too cold to run outside.

However, some of us don't like to be confined to the indoors, even when the temperature dips below the freezing point. Is it a bad idea to work out when the weather outside is frightful? Only if you don't prepare for it, of course. You need to dress warmly with at least a sweatshirt, thin gloves, sweat pants, and something to cover your head if you're going to run outside in the cold weather. Leave as little skin as possible exposed, and don't even think about wearing shorts because you need to stay warm the entire time.

Stretching before and after your outdoor workout only becomes more important as the weather becomes colder. If you tighten up in the cold weather, not only will it hurt as much as it usually would, but the cold weather is already making you tight to begin with; basically, you need to keep the blood flowing through your body and keep your muscles loose. Besides, getting the blood flowing early on will keep you warmer as you do your workout.

During the spring and summer, most runners work out in the morning or evening to avoid the hottest part of the day; during the winter, you will face the exact opposite. You want to work out in the middle of the day, if possible, because it will be the warmest. If you wake up at six to go for a run, not only will the sun not be out, but you will experience a feeling akin to sticking your hand in a bucket of ice.

There are really only two things you can do to maintain your workout during the winter: Either work out inside, or brave the cold and prepare yourself adequately. Don't let Mother Nature win this one!

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