Oh, the weather outside is still pretty frightful. But a winter workout can still be delightful—as long you’ve got the right gear.
Wether you’re running in the great outdoors during a snowstorm or working out in a gym that’s a little chillier than usual, winter training can be a mixed bag. The crisp air can be refreshing and good for focus. It’s also helpful if you get distracted by too much heat and sweat during physical exercise. But it does make staying warm—which is necessary if you want to perform to the best of your abilities and reduce your risk of injury—a challenge. The right training gear can help you get all of the benefits of cold weather training while avoiding the downsides.
Here are 6 products from AWMA.com that will help you find that perfect balance this winter.
ProForce® II Long Sleeve Rash Guard
Properly dressing for a cold weather workout is all about the layering. If you’re exercising in the great outdoors, wearing a base layer that’s absorbent and tight to your skin like the ProForce® II Long Sleeve Rash Guard under your sweats and jackets can help keep your core warm while you’re braving the elements. And if your indoor exercise space is colder than you’d prefer, a long sleeve rash guard can help there, too. Slip it on under your martial arts uniform or wear it with your Boxing, Muay Thai, or grappling shorts to help you get warm and stay warm during training.
Hayabusa Geo Jiu Jitsu Spats
Layering isn’t just for your top half, Adding a tight and moisture absorbing layer like a pair of Hayabusa Geo Jiu Jitsu Spats under your tights can also help you regulate your temperature during outdoor exercise. Wearing a pair under your gi pants, MMA shorts, or Boxing shorts can also help you stay warmer and more regulated during indoor training. And if you get too warm, you can always train in the spats on their own, because they’re designed to keep you covered and comfortable during even the toughest grappling training.
ProForce Sport® Chain Link Ninja Hoodie Mocha
Adding an extra layer on top of your usual workout gear can also help you regulate your temperature during cold weather exercise. For example, wearing a sweatshirt or hoodie like the ProForce Sport® Chain Link Ninja Hoodie over your usual gear can help keep your resting body temperature a little higher on your way from the change room to the mats, ring, studio, or other training spaces and during the early stages of your workout. That means you won’t have to thaw out before you start to warm up. Once you’re warm enough and ready to go, you can take off the extra layer. And if you’re still chilly, you can keep the hoodie on for the rest of your workout, too.
ProForce® 14 Oz. Diamond Karate Uniform
Heavy weight martial arts uniforms like the ProForce® 14 Oz. Diamond Karate Uniform were designed with durability in mind. The thicker fabric and intricate weaves in these types of gis are built to withstand the wear and tear of vigorous training and competition. As an added bonus, heavier weight uniforms also come in pretty handy when the temperature starts to drop. Even if you don’t go that hard, switching to a thicker gi for the winter months can keep you a little warmer and more comfortable during your Karate, BJJ, Taekwondo, and Tang Soo Do training.
Hy-Gens™ 2 Shoe
There are a lot of benefits to barefoot training in martial arts. It’s great for proprioception and balance. If you’re training to compete, practicing in bare feet also helps you prepare for the exact conditions you’ll be competing under. But a cold mat or ring canvas can be unpleasant—or even painful—on the soles of your feet. If you’re struggling with that sensation and your cold feet are throwing you off your game, a pair of Hy-Gens™ 2 Shoes can keep your toes toastier. These snug fitting and flexible neoprene shoes with non-slip soles were designed to help students avoid skin issues and mat burn, but they can also give you an extra layer of protection against mat freeze.
ProForce® Beanie
Modern studies suggest that we’re not losing as much heat through our heads as we thought. It’s more like 10% of heat that escapes that way as opposed to 50%. But keeping your head warm still does its part to keep your whole body warm when you’re training in colder temperatures. That’s why a warm and snug-fitting head covering like the ProForce® Beanie is a great addition to your outdoor exercise outfit. It will keep your head and the top of your ears shielded from the elements and keep your whole body a little more comfortable on chilly and windy days. A beanie might be a little more awkward for indoor workouts, but wearing one before you get started can help keep the chills away until you can properly warm up.
