The gloomy sky’s of San Francisco have dumped some serious inches over the last few weeks and yet every morning I see those die hard joggers loping up the hill. How do they do it?! I have a hard enough time just walking to the dance studio when it’s 45 degrees and sprinkling. Within five minutes I’m bone cold and my muscles tight.
Well, any outdoor enthusiast will tell you the key to surviving all types of winter weather conditions is learning to layer well.

Whether you refuse to skip your bike around the lake or need to walk 10 blocks to your yoga class, layering will keep your muscles toasty and your performance at it’s peak.
Here are 4 must-do diehard tricks of the trade:


1.) Don’t Over Dress: A common mistake when working out outdoors is wearing too much. If you’re warm when you first head out, you know you’ll be too hot by the end. Too much clothing traps the heat you generate while exercising close to the skin, making you ultimately sweat and overheat. Layering clothes allows you to take off layers as you heat up and add as you cool down. Wear pieces that easily zip off. It might take some time to find the perfect balance for the conditions you’re dealing with.

2.) The Torso Is Priority: Keeping your core warm is key to maintaining overall body temperature. The lower extremities are less vital, but shouldn’t be neglected. For the legs try sweat pants, long underwear, Lycra tights, or a combination of these. In super cold weather, use a lightweight, breathable, windproof €shell€ on the outside.

3.) It’s All About The Fabric: The main goal when picking the layer closest to the skin is to keep the skin dry. Any moisture on the skin will inevitably be exposed to the air which will make you colder. Go for synthetics that “wick” sweat away. Cotton is a poor choice since it’s highly absorbent, locking moisture close to the skin. The second layer is for pure warmth. Fabrics like fleece, and wool are perfect. The third, most outer layer, should protect you from the elements in your area. Look for fabrics that are rainproof, wind resistant, and breathable. You want the protection, but also the ability to let sweat evaporate. Synthetics like Gelanot, Ultrex, and Activent are great examples of such wonder fabrics.

4.) Accessorize: For all types of wet weather you obviously want to keep those tootsies warm and dry, so pick up some moisture wicking socks and choose sneaks that don’t have a ton of ventilation. Other essential accessories include hats, and mittens. For those blistery days, mittens are actually better than gloves.
With the technology in active wear today there is no reason to feel trapped inside this Winter. Now that you’ve got the tips, beat those blues and layer up!

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