Exercising in outdoor winter conditions can be a true test of strength and mental toughness, but is worth the risks? According to personal trainers and fitness experts, exercising in the winter is good. It has been proven that if you are moving outside long enough, there is a higher chance for you to achieve your health goals quicker! But if you have never exercised outside, how does one prepare for it? Our team at Virtual PT NYC offers Telehealth Services NYC and can give you the answers you’re looking for.

Here are some winter workout tips:

• Wear synthetic fibers instead, such as polyester, nylon, and polypropylene designed to dry quickly.
• Wear layers to trap warm air next to your body and keep out the elements (like rain, snow, and wind).
• Wear bright colors to help others see you (including reflective gear or blinking lights).
• To keep your extremities from freezing, wear a hat or headband and gloves or mittens or thick socks.
•  To keep your skin from drying out from the winter air, drink plenty of water!
• Stay on plowed or salted surfaces to prevent from getting injuries .
• Do a good warm - up. Dynamic warm-ups increase blood flow and temperature in the muscles to help decrease the risk of injuries.
• Wrapping a scarf or bandana around your mouth can help trap in water vapor to help keep the air moist and help you breathe.
• Remove layers as you start to heat up during a workout.
• Sip water during your workout and consider a sports drink for longer workouts. 
• Head into the wind first if you are exercising in a loop activity (running or cycling). 
• Make sure to do a cool - down before you head inside.

There may come a time when you want to practice good physical movement or need to ease pain from an injury. Our mission at Virtual PT, NYC is to create a safe and positive environment for New Yorker's to better themselves. We aim to connect our clients to the right physical therapist to achieve their goals. However, getting to a physical therapist can be difficult during this time of social distancing. That is why Virtual PT NYC offers great Telehealth Services NYC

Health effects of working out in the cold: 

• The body burns calories in a more efficient way
• In cold weather “brown fat” can burn a few hundred calories efficiently if you are in a cold climate for an extended period of time
• Your heart rate is slower in the cold weather, so it makes you feel less exhausted. Versus in the warm your heart is working harder to keep your body cool 

Virtual PT NYC- Telehealth Services NYC

If you need virtual physical therapy in the NYC area, contact us at Virtual PT NYC for Telehealth Services NYC. We will provide you with a customized treatment plan that fits your physical therapy needs! Contact us today to schedule a consultation!