Best fitness wear for cold-weather workouts

Oct 06, 2011 2:32 AM by Laura Carson Miller

Posted in Health & Wellness / Diet & Fitness / Exercise & Fitness

Clothing To Stay Fit, Fashionable And Warm

Just because the weather outside has turned from sunny and warm to chilly and damp doesn’t mean you have to abandon your outdoor fitness routine. Here are some of our favorite fitness wear options for cold-weather workouts.

Woman jogging in winter

3 Keys to comfortable cold-weather workouts

Warm up before you work out

The key to comfortable cold-weather workouts is to stay warm. A good rule is to warm up your internal core temperature before you ever venture outside – which means doing your warm up indoors before you walk out the door.

Layer your clothing

The next crucial piece of the puzzle is to make sure you're dressed properly. Layering works wonders, because you can peel off clothing if necessary as you go through your exercise routine. A jacket easily ties around your waist and you can remove a hat or gloves if you get too toasty, then put them back on as you cool down at the end of your workout.

Choose the right outdoor fitness attire

When it comes to choosing the right clothing for your fall and winter outdoor activities, manufacturers have taken the guess work out of it with fabrics that insulate and breathe (how's that for an oxymoron?). Below is a rundown of what's new and notable in cold weather fitness attire. Get it and get moving.

The best fitness wear for cold-weather workouts

Ibex women's Nomad FZ hoodie ($160)

This New Zealand merino wool fleece hoodie boasts thumb holes and hand-warmer pockets, because we all know if your hands and your head are warm you can keep on truckin'. It's semi-fitted and has a hood (it's a hoodie, after all) and comes in four fabulous colors. Ibex's Nomad fabric offers higher levels of softness, warmth and durability, so you can remain cozy while you're working off all that holiday cheer.

Women's Adidas By Stella McCartney run long-sleeve tee($115)

Now, this is a tee you'd be proud to sport at the coffee shop after your latest marathon training run or trip down the slopes. Leave it to Paul's daughter to design workout gear that's both stylish and functional. The Climalite fabric sweeps sweat away from your skin so you stay more comfortable and it's an ideal layer under thicker jackets or sweaters.

Good Gear bamboo shorts for women ($25)

Good Gear offers a great pair of shorts to wear over tights or leggings for workouts in colder weather. Made from 100 percent bamboo, these mesh shorts are hypoallergenic, breathable and ideal for thermal regulation, as bamboo's natural properties keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Bamboo is more absorbent than cotton and its porous qualities account for its breathability.

Lucy Frosty Fleece pant ($69)

Not only are these pants great for outdoor exercise adventures, they look like they'd be great for lounging or running errands. Wear them alone or over leggings on particularly cold days. With a boot-cut leg and comfortable wide waistband, the stretch micro-fleece fabric will be calling your name!

Don't bail on your fitness routine just because the weather has changed! By warming up first and dressing accordingly, you can get your exercise on, no matter what the meteorologist says is coming your way!

Watch: How to warm up and stretch

Those stretches you learned as a kid -- called static stretching -- can actually weaken muscles before exercise. Learn how to warm up the right way, with dynamic stretching.

More cold-weather fitness tips

Winter fitness: Shovel your way into shape
Outdoor fitness: Tips to brave the cold and get fit
Fall fitness: Outdoor family activities

Tags: fitness wear outdoor activities

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