Winter Workouts are Harder on the Body: Here’s When to Go Inside

You Should Know: If you feel like dragging yourself outside for a run during the winter months feels impossible, know that it’s not all in your head. Studies show that cold-weather workouts really are harder. Your muscles don’t function as well when they’re cold, so you have to recruit more muscle fibers — thus using up more energy — to produce the same amount of force. And that extra layer? More weight and friction your body has to work through.

Going Deeper: While frigid temperatures may dampen your performance, in most cases, exercising outdoors in the cold is perfectly safe. The truth is, concerns like frostbite and hypothermia are quite rare, and there are plenty of steps you can take to combat them, like properly layering your clothes. As one doctor put it, “the benefit to your body is a lot more than the risk associated with going out in cold weather.” 

Bottom Line: According to the Mayo Clinic, we’re safe from frostbite down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit (though windchill can raise that threshold). Precipitation increases the risk of hypothermia, so consider taking your workout inside if the weather is dreary. If you notice symptoms like stinging or numbness, loss of coordination, or sudden fatigue, go indoors and warm up right away.