weather to train

[Greystoke]

How does weather effect your training? I live in the Northeast, this time of year the temperatures are routinely in the teens and twentys. I like to get training over early in the morning, but getting out of a warm bed curled up next to my wife....well, it sucks.

Do you find that you lift lighter or heavier? Concentrate more on aerobics and diet? Getting into a bitter cold car and driving cross town, or heading to the home gym in the sub-zero basement really tests how bad you want it! Stretching and warming up takes me twice as long as the spring, summer and fall.

I'm jealous of the ones here who live in Hawaii, California etc...and I feel for the Canadians and Northwestern states. I wonder if the extreme season changes force those of us in these climates to train more cyclically, altering between cutting and dieting while cold, then going back to lifting and growing in the warmth.

[creb]

Well, I'm married to the barbell, but it usually dumps me after every session so I go home to bed alone.

Eating more is important in winter for obvious reasons. A faster workout helps when it's really cold but that's only on sundays when the heating isn't on.

I prefer summer for lifting and winter for running, but the temperature is all the same once I'm moving. Sunshine just tends to bake.

[Greystoke]

OK, you've got me curious....why is the heat off on Sunday?!!

[Rhinoclan]

I actually find it easier to get up, because I know the gym will be empty, and I can do whatever type program I want to, and not get in anyone else's way. Heck, I can even use the squat rack for curls if I want, because no one else is there!

[eddie.mac]

I live in MA and hate the cold! However I am in such a groove that I can't wait to get to the gym. I am about a mile away from my gym and hate having to scrape the ice and snow from my car...Can't wait until spring.

[Tenzin]

I live in Northern California, where in winter the temp hovers between 40's and 50's with quite a bit of rain. Even in summer it seldom gets above the mid 70s (I live in a coastal town). I find that I have been most energized living in this climate.

I used to live in SoCal and the heat could be so oppressive that it often felt as though it sucked the energy right out of me.

I've also live in Michigan for 15+ years, where it gets so cold I didn't even want to think about going outside.

Yesterday it was 48 degrees and raining steadily, yet I didn't hesitate in going for my daily bicycle ride to get my cardio in. I know my mindset these days is different than it has been in the past. I do find that the cooler temperatures are ideal for me personally, as it never gets so cold that I can't warm up and it never gets so hot that I feel lethargic.

Pete

[giantfan43]

I live in the northeast too but I love the cold ! sick huh ? I workout in my basement and work out early in the morning (5am) .. going out in the cold is not the issue. I don't seem to change my routine based on the weather at all.

[rocketman44]

I live in the Northeast too, and I actually like doing cardio outside in the colder weather (down to about 30, maybe 25 with no wind) than I do in the summer.

But my basement does get cool in the winter, so warming up is needed. Also, in winter, I have to change into workout clothes and that involves changing out of a sweatshirt and long pants, whereas in summer I'm already pretty much dressed for it anyway.

So I prefer cardio in the winter, but it's easier to lift weights in the spring/summer.

[ectoBgone]

I'm in NH and the cold doesn't affect my mood for lifting. One thing I actually like about the cold is that after my lift, it's not 1000 degrees in my car. It's nice to go outside in the cold air rather than the hazy, hot, and humid days of summer.

[nospin]

Working out in the cold gets me motivated for spring/summer. It is the work NOW that pays off later. I picture everyone else eating a ton and being lazy, while I'm eating right and working hard. Mentally, it works for me.

[Blake Austin]

Weather doesn't really affect my working out at all. If it's 15 degrees or 85 degrees, I still like to hit the weights and do some cardio five to six times a week.

[lilbootch]

We just had our yearly cold snap here in MN and woke up last week to a couple of -17 degree (yes that's 17 below zero) mornings. It doesn't effect me too bad it just makes me want to get into the gym and get the workout going so I can warm up.

[JChristian_1]

Syracuse NY...-4 yesterday morning. Sucks... hate it! Got in the car though and drove cross town in the dark for a mind altering Leg workout... guess I want it that bad

[subieshane]

Music affects my mood more than the weather so I just put on some heavy music and just go regardless