Winter Fitness

For aerobic activities

(that are the most cardio-intense)

Examples: cross-country skiing, jogging, snow shoeing (fast-paced), etc. 

When doing these sports, you warm up and sweat pretty easily, so you should dress accordingly. Know that it’s normal to feel a little bit cold for the first 5 minutes.

*Here’s a basic rule to follow: don’t wear anything that is made of cotton. This includes your underwear (bra and panties). Cotton takes a lot of time to dry and keeps humidity close to your skin, which could easily cause you to catch cold.

*Put on some long underwear over your bra and undies. Choose its thickness depending on the outside temperature: light, medium thickness, or thick. Choose underwear made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, Capilene, polyester (Power Dry), etc. As for natural fibers, merino wool is an excellent choice because it doesn’t itch, doesn’t fray, evacuates humidity and stays warm even when wet.

*Then, if it’s very cold outside and you are the type of person who easily catches cold (or who is not very active), you can also add a thin fleece (top and pants).

*The last layer to go on should be pieces of clothing that are light, stretchy, stay close to your skin, and have windbreaking qualities. For example, the SportHill XC Pant and the Patagonia Wind Tracker Jacket are two great products.

*Don’t forget these essential accessories: a wool (or fleece) beanie, a scarf, gloves or mittens, and socks (that aren’t cotton). You lose up to %50 of your body heat from your head and your neck—so make sure to cover them up!

*For jogging, choose a pair of shoes with Gore-Tex so that your feet stay dry. XA Pro 3D XCR women's shoes by Salomon are an excellent choice.

*If you want to give your calves some extra-protection, short gaiters may be a good investment.