December 14, 2022
It’s hard to make yourself keep up with a fitness routine during cold, darker months. But sticking to one can really help your physical and mental health. If you can’t make it out during daylight hours to work out, here are some tips for exercising safely outside when it’s dark.
Make sure someone knows your running route, where your gym is, and when you leave. Even if everyone in your home is still asleep, leave a note.
This one is tough to follow, but listening to music while running in the dark can prevent you from hearing vehicles, people, or even animals approaching you.
It’s best to be as visible as possible so cars out on the road can see you. One piece of reflective gear, like a vest, belt, or jacket, works.
Make sure your phone is fully charged, and bring it with you in case of an emergency.
Try choosing routes you know the best, and that are well-lit. Now is not the time to explore a road you’ve never traveled.
Walk or run against traffic so you can adequately see oncoming cars. Use streets with a sidewalk, a shoulder, or a wide road.
Temps are typically colder in the dark, and exercising in cold weather puts your body at risk of hypothermia. Wear a hat, gloves, and thicker socks to keep your appendages warm.
If you’re not necessarily on the road by foot or bike in the wee hours but are heading to a gym or fitness center, here are some things I do to ensure I get there safely.
By the time my class is over, the sun has risen, and I make my way home to start work for the day!
Don’t look at the late fall and winter months as “time off” from working out. When it comes to sticking to an exercise routine when it’s cold and dark, the struggle is real. It takes much more motivation to get up from under that blanket on the couch and move.
Find something you love, whether a virtual video you can do in your own home or a class at a gym. If you love doing it, you’ll likely stick to it.
This content was originally published on IBX Insights.
I’m a writer and a film, music, and TV buff who loves Philadelphia
sports. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, which means
I’m always on-the-go. I try to make healthy decisions that fit with my
lifestyle; whether it’s choosing healthy food while eating at a
restaurant, finding exercises I enjoy doing so I stay motivated, or
achieving a good work-life balance.
