Benefits Of Cold Weather Training
Put your excuses on ice. Brave the plummeting mercury and you can fire up any fitness plan.
Mercury levels are finally dropping and the snow is falling. For many, it’s time to batten down the hatches – fitness can wait until spring, or at least until the new year. New year, new me.
Do it differently this year. You’ll feel better for it. And here’s the best thing: your fitness will see bigger improvements than you’ve ever witnessed before. Just don’t tell everyone. Or they’ll all be doing it.
Enhancing Lung Health VO2 Max
The cold causes your body to continue making subtle adaptations: your blood vessels narrow, and your heart and lungs work harder. This helps to improve your muscles’ aerobic function, meaning they receive more oxygen during exercise. An animal study by Northern Arizona University suggests it can increase your VO2 max by 34% and your long-distance running speed by 29%. Big stats right there!!!
Increases Metabolic Rate
Your body now starts to convert “lazy” white fat cells – used for energy storage – into calorie-melting beige cells. Researchers at the CU Sports Medicine and Performance Center in Colorado found that regular exposure to the cold causes your metabolism to switch from predominantly burning carbohydrates to torching fat: equivalent to doing seven hours’ extra cardio per week.
