Outdoor Fitness in the Snow

Rolling giant snowballs, in Regent's Park

Outdoor Training in Winter

Committing to an outdoor training programme as the weather turns colder, requires a little toughness, discipline and  endurance.  Consequently, you’ll feel a positive sense of achievement.  Exercising at this time of year, your local green space will be quieter than usual.  You’ll be able to enjoy a more private workout, watching the seasons change and reconnect with nature.  In addition, research suggests that outdoor workouts burn approximately 20 per cent more calories than exercising indoors, because the body uses more energy to keep warm – and exercising in natural daylight can improve your mood.

Winter Wardrobe Top Tips

The idea of exercising outside in winter may sound like boot camp training and sometimes reminds me of dreaded Games at school – standing on a frosty rugby pitch in shorts, the bitter wind against my skinny, adolescent legs.  Nowadays, though, I’m happy to get out there – but recommend long track pants.

Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and once you kick your heart rate up a notch, you’ll feel accustomed to the cold.  I advise my clients to use the layering principle: a breathable base layer of silk or thermal; an insulation layer for warmth; and an outer layer that’s windproof and water-repellent.  My winter workout wardrobe essentials are a merino wool hat and chute (or neck gaiter).  The chute is more practical than working out in a scarf, as it fits snugly round my neck – or for when it’s really cold – over my nose, which protects my throat from burning in the cold air.

Snowy Rewards – experiencing London in snow

If you dress for the weather and watch your step in the slush and icy patches, you’ll be rewarded by views of London few people take time to witness – a silent, urban landscape under snowfall.  In anticipation of the UK’s next cold snap, I’m thinking of a new game for my clients: if you fail to dodge the snowball I throw at you, you get another set of push ups. It’s called incentive.