Conditioning body for cold weather

[zac510]

Winter well and truly with us again, I was wondering if there was anything I could do to train my body to cope with the cold better. Basically I want to be warmer!

I saw a guy cycling in shorts this morning when it was about 1C. When I cycle I am rugged up with long windproof legs and multiple layers on top. How do some people deal better with hot and cold weather? Anything you can teach me about the physiology or tips for diet, exercise, etc to improve circulation I would quite like to know. Generally I would say I am of reasonable fitness, ok diet although probably on the lean (body fat) side.

[ShadownINja]

Was he cycling quickly compared to you? I mean, if I'm on my exercise bicycle, I turn the heating off for an hour or two. If I do my training (press ups, pull ups, core work etc), I also turn the heating off.

[zac510]

He was going downhill so I'm not sure. But I know what you're saying. To me the cold thing about cycling is the cold air rushing across your body not the physical activity. On my morning commute in winter it's not until I hit a red light and stop pedalling for a minute or two that my body finally starts to warm up. Bare legs would make this effect even worse.

[ewenm]

Keep the core warm and the legs are fine in shorts. I find I can be perfectly comfortable as long as my core is protected from the cold.

[ShadownINja]

Maybe he normally cycles crazily quickly and you just noticed him freewheeling it downhill (and he was probably enjoying the cold air after struggling up the other side of the hill). Was he notably fatter/musclier than you? I suppose the issue is some people do "run" hotter - I mean you'll see people walking around "oop north" in just a T-shirt and jeans when they're going out for the night. Also, did he have a hat on? That can make you feel warmer.

Another thing, see footballers running around the pitch in just their shorts and top; plus the goalkeeper standing there for 90 minutes.

Edited by ShadownINja on Monday 3rd January 12:24

[zac510]

ShadownINja said:

I suppose the issue is some people do "run" hotter - I mean you'll see people walking around "oop north" in just a T-shirt and jeans when they're going out for the night.

Yeah exactly, if they're fatter and unfit (not stereotyping here but it seems to be a theme) how can the heart be more effective at pumping all that blood around? I understand blood is the main medium for carrying heat around the body.

[ShadownINja]

zac510 said:

ShadownINja said:

I suppose the issue is some people do "run" hotter - I mean you'll see people walking around "oop north" in just a T-shirt and jeans when they're going out for the night.

Yeah exactly, if they're fatter and unfit (not stereotyping here but it seems to be a theme) how can the heart be more effective at pumping all that blood around? I understand blood is the main medium for carrying heat around the body.

Don't fat cells provide insulation? All the thin girls I know often complain about how cold they are in winter. On the plus side, they are happy to go to restaurants in January and February while the fat ones are going on and on about needing to watch what they eat. Not that I am admitting to riding a moped.

Edited by ShadownINja on Monday 3rd January 12:42