After reading the benefits of sport in winter stated by coach Thibault Richard, you will have the courage to go out and face the cold!
THE benefits of sporting activity are no longer to be demonstrated so there is no question of stopping in winter! Especially since sport this season present several health benefits as Thibault Richard, sports coach at ProTrainer, explains to us.
To keep morale high
“The secret organism of endorphins also called “hormones of happiness”, when we play sports. True natural drugthey bringn real feeling of well-being and pleasure, thereby reducing stress and anxiety.” Knowing that ideally “it’s necessary practice a sport at moderate or intense intensity for at least 30 minutesbecause it is from this duration that endorphins are secreted.” advises sports coach.
To fall asleep faster at night
With less light in winter, we sometimes have a little trouble falling asleep, but if you exercise late in the afternoon, you will feel healthy fatigue which will allow you to fall asleep more easily. However, avoid making a cardio training class at 8 p.m. if you want to go to bed around 10 p.m. Too stimulating!
To stock up on vitamin D
“In winter the days are much shorter and we are less exposed to the sun. However, sunlight is essential for synthesizing vitamin D, which is particularly vital for the health of our bones because it plays an essential role in the metabolism of the calcium. Doing sport outdoors contributes to our bone health.”
To improve your breathing
Winter is the perfect time to do in-depth work in addition to and in anticipation of sporting activities that we practice outside, as soon as the weather is nice. It’s time to work on your endurance by making, for example, swimming or running. This helps improve your breathing and maintain good physical shape.
To not gain weight
If you are used to exercising and you stop without changing your diet, you risk gaining weight. While “doing sports in winter allows you to burn more calories”, because to warm up the body will spend more energy. “For the same effort, we will expend more calories in winter than in summer. Good news for all those who want to lose weight!”
To not give up in January:
- Choose activities that we enjoy.
- Set yourself coherent objectives and encrypted : “You can set a goal for each session, such as running 10km without stopping, swimming 1km…”
- Suggest to friends to train with us.
- Call a professional sports coach : you will be supervised, encouraged and reassured.
What sports to do in winter?
- Running : you will warm up quickly and will not be too hot like in summer.
- There Nordic’s walk : an excellent alternative to running if you are overweight because you avoid shock during each stride.
- Boxing : it is an ideal activity to let off steam, build muscle, slim down, eliminate stress, gain self-confidence…
- Snowshoes and cross-country skiing : if you have the opportunity, these are excellent activities to burn off calories.
- Fitness : if you prefer to practice an activity indoors, different activities can be practiced indoors or at home. Muscle strengthening, cardio, stretching… see even Pilates and yoga to relax, it’s up to you to choose according to your tastes.
When it’s cold, it’s best to‘put several layers on top of each other. Opt for technical clothing that wicks away perspiration (especially not cotton).
► For the top : “Depending on the outside temperature and the activity carried out, you can, for example, put on a breathable technical t-shirt, then a sweatshirt and finally a jacket” advises the sports coach.
► For the bottom : “Opt for long tracksuit bottoms to protect your knees against the cold. Remember to protect your extremities (hands, feet, head) with gloves, breathable socks, a hat, because it is through these areas that heat loss is the most important.”
► What shoes ? The coach recommends wearing a pair of sneakers with non-slip soles if possible.