   
BLOG | Winterise Your Winter Wardrobe
With winter officially starting next month, no doubt you’ve noticed the air getting chillier - maybe even observed some frost. Although December is when the “winter fun" truly commences, the cold weather - and the snow - doesn't usually wait until December to nip the tips of your toes.
If you exercise regularly outdoors, it's time to revamp your workout wardrobe, and you'll need more than long-sleeved shirts and well-insulated socks. In case you didn't know, dressing inappropriately could put you at serious risk of frostbite, a condition which can cause the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) to freeze and die. In severe cases, it can affect the tissue below the epidermis, which can cause serious damage to the muscles or joints.
Therefore, to stay safe and warm this winter season, these purchases are a must:-
1. Sweat-wicking long underwear. This provides the base layer to keep yourself protected from the winter elements. Preferably it should be lightweight, easy to move around in and made from thin material (it should feel like your second skin). Good materials to look for are polypropylene and polar fleece, which help maintain your body temperature while wicking away sweat, which can lower your body temperature.
2. A thin (but insulating) long-sleeved shirt. Again, this helps serve as your second skin, which helps maintain your core body temperature. Thick or bulky shirts can make working out too difficult outdoors, so make sure it's thin and easy to move around in. Polypropylene and polar fleece are both excellent choices - especially for those who expect to sweat a lot (sweat cools the skin after all).
3. Well-insulated gloves. Frostbite occurs most commonly in the fingers, so keeping them protected from the elements is absolutely essential. For starters, choose gloves that fit snugly (but not tightly) around your entire hand with few openings. Don't choose gloves made out of leather or plastic as they don't insulate. Again, fleece is a great option here, and many winter sports gloves are made from fleece or a similar type of fabric.
4. Socks with plenty of cushioning. Although thin cotton socks are easy to find, they’re not ideal. Not only do they cause blisters to form, they are also a poor insulator - especially if your feet accumulate moisture. Cotton doesn't wick away the moisture, and thin socks rarely keep your feet warm. Synthetic fibres are best so look out for ones that are thick and don't shift around too much when worn.
5. A fleece long-sleeved shirt or jacket. Like your base layer, it should be thin and easy to move around in. Wear the long-sleeved shirt on days when the weather is nippy, but not blisteringly cold. The jacket can be worn over the insulating shirt during extremely bitter days.
6. A form-fitting pair of trousers made out of fleece or another synthetic material designed for winter exercise. Your legs are less likely to get frostbite, so one extra layer will do when worn over a well-insulated pair of long underwear. Ideally, the length of each trouser leg should extend down to your ankle, while allowing you to move comfortably.
7. Ear protection. Whether it's a headband, a cotton hat, or a complete face mask, you need to wear something to protect your ears, as they are more susceptible to frost bite. For especially cold days, cotton face masks are probably your best choice. Headbands should only be reserved for cool days.
Remember, the key is to dress in thin, comfortable layers wearing clothes made out of moisture-wicking material. Not only does this preserve your core body temperature, it will also keep your skin dry and free from sweat.
Labels: winter, exercise, workout wardrobe, well insulated, frostbite, skin, epidermis, freeze, damage, muscles, joints, sweat wicking, base layer, underwear, lightweight, second skin, polypropylene, polar fleece, body temperature, gloves, winter sports, cushioning, blisters, warm, synthetic fibres, jacket
Posted by: Theo Wood | 10th November 2010 |
0844 736 5757
info@theowood.net
Theo Wood News Feeds