Chilly weather in late December and early January does not mean that you should remain stuck indoors for your routine workouts. Exercising in your lawn or the nearest park early in the morning can make workouts more enjoyable and interesting. However, to enjoy your outdoor cardio workouts in the winter, you need to choose the right clothes, that can keep you warm.

The trick when dressing up for an outdoor workout in a chilly morning is to wear easy-to-remove layers. By wearing layers of clothing you create an air barrier above your skin, which helps reduce convective heat loss. Moreover, as you exercise your body begins to warm up and with the increase in body temperature, you may want to remove a layer or two. Furthermore, tight fitting clothing is better than baggy clothes, since the latter can create large openings through which heat can be lost as you move.

Here are some cold weather exercise clothes that you can wear when exercising outdoor the next winter.

Base Layer

A tight fitting base layer made up of wicking material such as polypropylene or wool is the best to keep you warm and dry during intense outdoor workout sessions. Avoid cotton and silk since these materials stay wet for longer after you sweat. Also make sure your base layer covers all the exposed parts of your body, including ankles, wrists and even the neck. Similarly, choose the base layer for the lower part of your body.

Middle layer

Fleece makes an ideal middle layer of cold weather exercise clothing. Both wool and synthetic are equally effective in helping trap your body heat in the fuzz. Remember, the middle layer is optional and can be included and excluded with the fall and rise in temperature respectively. Even if the temperature has not dropped significantly, you can still include this layer, given your work out is less intense.

Outer layer

Protect yourself from wind, rain and snow with an outer layer made up of wind and water-resistant but breathable clothing material, such as eVent. Pockets are a must for the outermost layer of your cold weather exercise clothing. Moreover, look for the heat regulating features as well, such as hoods and vents. Your outer layer pants should also be made up of fabric that is windproof and water resistant. However, make sure that both the top and bottom of your outer layer are lightweight.

Cover your head and hands

Protect your head by wearing a long beanie made from a moisture-wicking, windproof and water resistant fabric. The beanie should be long enough to cover your forehead and ears. Also wear woollen gloves to protect your hands from cold.