Running in the cold can feel tough. The chill bites. Muscles feel tight. It’s easier to stay in bed. But here’s the thing: winter running is your secret weapon. Cooler air helps you maintain a steady pace. Quiet mornings become your headspace. Training consistently now means you’re stronger when race season returns.
Why Running in the Cold Is Good for You
-
Boosts Endurance: Cool temperatures help your body regulate heat, allowing you to run further without overheating. This is because your body needs to expend less effort on cooling mechanisms in cold weather [1, 2].
-
Burns More Calories: Your body works harder to maintain warmth, helping you maximize your sessions [3, 4]. This can involve activating brown fat, which burns calories to produce heat [4].
-
Strengthens Mental Toughness: Showing up on cold mornings builds discipline and mental resilience you’ll carry into race season. Additionally, outdoor exercise in winter can help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and boost mood [1, 2].
-
Supports Consistency: Keeping up your routine through winter prevents the “re-start struggle” when warmer months return, helping you maintain fitness year-round [1, 2].
Winter Running Tips
-
Warm up indoors with dynamic stretches to loosen tight muscles before stepping out. Cold muscles are more prone to injury, and a proper warm-up increases blood flow [2, 5].
-
Layer smart. Start cool; your body will warm up once you get moving [5]. Wear moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics as your base layer to stay dry and warm, avoiding cotton [5, 6].
-
Run into the wind first so you can finish with it at your back. This helps prevent becoming chilled from sweat evaporation when running against the wind after you've warmed up.
-
Protect your skin—yes, UV exposure is still a risk during winter [7]. Snow can reflect a significant amount of UV radiation, increasing your exposure [7].
What Should You Wear?
The right kit makes all the difference in winter running.
If you want flexibility: Grab SParms Thermotech Arm Sleeves. They’re perfect for chilly starts when you know you’ll warm up fast. Engineered with:
- Aeroflow Breathable Technology to keep sweat away while allowing your skin to breathe.
- UPF50+ UV protection for winter sun.
- Thermolock Insulation to trap warmth without bulk.
- Flexform 4-Way Stretch for unrestricted movement.
- Hydro Guard Surface Shield for light rain protection. Once you warm up, you can easily roll them down or stash them, letting you adjust on the go.
If you prefer consistent warmth: Choose the SParms Sun Protection Body Warm. Ideal for early morning runs when you want full-torso warmth that stays put. This layer is:
- 20% warmer and 30% lighter than cotton, so you get warmth without heavy bulk.
- Made with superior heat-retaining yarn to keep you warm while staying breathable.
- Designed to wick sweat and protect your skin with UPF50+ UV shielding during winter runs.
- Lightly stretchy for freedom of movement while keeping a fitted, comfortable feel.
Winter Doesn’t Stop You
You’re still out there. Still chasing your goals. Still building your best. Whether you layer with SParms Thermotech Arm Sleeves for flexibility or the SParms Sun Protection Body Warm for consistent warmth, you’ll stay warm, dry, and protected—so the cold becomes just another part of your journey.
References
[1] UofL Health. (n.d.). What are 7 Great Benefits to Cold Weather Workouts? Retrieved from https://uoflhealth.org/articles/benefits-cold-weather-workouts/ [2] MedicalNewsToday. (2023, December 26). Winter fitness: Extra benefits you get running in colder weather. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/benefits-of-running-in-the-cold-outweigh-warm-weather-running [3] Running4Women Store. (n.d.). Outdoor Running In Cold Weather Burns More Calories! Retrieved from https://www.running4women.com/outdoor-running-in-cold-weather-burns-more-calories/ [4] University Hospitals. (2023, February 6). Is Exercising in Cold Weather a Better Workout? Retrieved from https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2023/02/is-exercising-in-cold-weather-a-better-workout [5] Kathmandu Blog. (n.d.). 7 Tips for Winter Running. Retrieved from https://www.kathmanduoutdoor.com/blog/tips-for-winter-running [6] REI Expert Advice. (n.d.). Cold Weather Running Tips. Retrieved from https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/winter-running-tips.html [7] Cancer Council NSW. (n.d.). Factors that affect UV radiation levels. Retrieved from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-prevention/sun-protection/understanding-uv-radiation/factors-that-affect-uv-radiation-levels/