The British weather is wet and cold almost year-round. So if you are visiting the UK, and plan on getting some exercise done outdoors, you might be in for a surprise.
However, outdoor exercises in such cold and rainy weather are not that bad. They are beneficial to your health and mind if anything. With that being said, here are a few tips for you if you want to give outdoor exercises a try even in cold and wet weather conditions.
#1 Check the Weather First
Exercising in cold and rainy conditions is one thing, but attempting to do the same during snow or a storm is a completely different story. The latter poses more risk, and you should avoid it at all costs.
In the UK, weather can take a turn for the worst at any given moment. Hence, you must stay updated on the latest weather forecasts in your region. Get your weather updates on an app that uses a local weather radar to retrieve data.
If you wish to compare the weather between the US and the UK, several places have similar winters. The North West Pacific coastline has similar winter weather to the UK. Even Pittsburgh has very cloudy and rainy winters, just like the UK. You can check the Pittsburgh weather radar to get an idea of what it’s like.
Modern weather radars use advanced technology to detect all sorts of changes in weather patterns. Hence, these radars can feed real-time data to the weather apps after processing and interpreting them. The forecast is then updated on your device, and you can learn about the area’s temperature, wind speed, humidity, air quality, and so on.
#2 Put On Breathable Layers
You will need clothing that will not only protect you from the rain and cold conditions but will also let your body breathe, and allow the heat to escape. This is why you will need winter clothing that is waterproof, multi-layered, and breathable.
For a cold and rainy day, a waterproof winter jacket will suffice. These jackets have sealed seams so that water cannot find its way inside them. It does, however, get a bit difficult to do exercises that require a lot of movement when you wear these jackets.
In case it is just a cold day without any rain, you can switch to a sleeveless padded vest. Go for something that is made of Goretex to ensure breathability. The 100 percent polyester ones will work well too.
Windbreakers would be good options too, given that they are breathable, and will also keep you warm. To wear them out in rainy conditions, opt for a waterproof version of the jacket. These jackets are perfect for running, light exercises, and various other aerobics.
#3 Lookout for Slippery Surfaces
Running is an exercise that you can do even in the most extreme of conditions (as long as it is not snowing). So even with a bit of light rain and cold, you can easily go out for a quick jog.
However, while running, you should always stay clear of slippery surfaces. That is why it would be ideal for you to avoid muddy tracks. Do not go running on a muddy hiking trail or through a forest. Instead, do so on pavement if you can. Run over surfaces that are well built, plain, and most importantly, non-slippery.
You must also carry the right pair of shoes that can provide you a good grip on slippery surfaces. In our opinion, crossfit shoes provide some of the best grips for wet, slippery surfaces. They also offer the optimum ankle support and durability for outdoor conditions.
#4 Warm Up Indoors
When you go outside in the cold and wet weather, your target should be to finish your workout as quickly as possible. Whether you are going for a quick run, or plan on doing a full workout routine somewhere, you need to finish it as soon as possible. It is never a wise idea to stay exposed to such weather conditions for too long.
With that in mind, you should warm up inside the house before heading outdoors. Do some lunges, jumping, and maybe some squats too. After a quick 10-minute warm-up session, you can head outside and carry on with the rest of your workout.
#5 Opt for a More Relaxed Exercise Routine
Do not exert too much pressure on yourself in such weather conditions. Given the rain and cold, opt for a more relaxed exercise routine.
Apart from jogging or running, you could also do cycling. It is just as healthy and effective as any other exercise and is quite enjoyable in rainy weather. Swimming helps too, but it is better if you do so indoors if it is raining outside.
Other than all this, you could do the usual pushups, squats, lateral stepping, step-ups, etc. Whatever it is that you are doing, try to pace yourself. Keep things light, and do them slowly. You do not have to maintain your usual speed when you do things like running or cycling. Adjust your exercises with the weather.
One of the most important things to remember while working out in such weather is that you need to have fun while doing so. You cannot get annoyed or force yourself to like it. The more you enjoy the weather and the exercises, the easier it will be for you to get used to all this.
