Forget hibernating. These tips for smart layering will keep you warm during your winter workouts.
- Choose synthetics: Ban cotton from your workout wardrobe. Opt instead for shirts, shorts or tights, hats, socks and underwear made of moisture-wicking polyester blends (look for Coolmax, dri-fit or dri-release on the label).
- Warm your middle: Keep your midsection toasty by layering a tank top, long sleeve shirt and vest, depending on the temperature.
- Cover your head and hands: Nearly a quarter of your body heat escapes from the top of your head, so hats are great temperature regulators (off when you’re hot, on when you’re cold). For your hands, mittens work better than gloves because they allow your fingers to warm each other.
- Stay safe: Look for workout tops, vests and jackets that have reflective strips on the front and back. Plan to wear reflective gear as your top two layers.
- Stay dry: For bad weather days, throw on a light wind- and water-resistant jacket over a short- or long-sleeved base layer. Look for a shell with vents in the back and under the arms to pipe out body heat that could trap sweat.
