Warm Up Your Winter Training Blues

While it’s nice and warm down-under for pre season preparation. Some parts of the globe are really feeling the chill of winter. I’ve been there before, so I can totally sympathise. I remember being 15 years of age in the middle of Zagreb trudging in freezing -13 degree conditions pursuing my passion for the round ball. Just recently in Bury last year, I recall the soggy mud drenched bite of winter chilling me to my core, whilst training. So here are a few pointers I can suggest for staying warm, hydrated and training at your peak levels, even in bone biting cold conditions:

• Warm Complex Carb Meal: The best way to start the day in the cold is to chow down some warm porridge or oats in the morning to gain not only the carbs you need to power your performance, but to warm up to the winter chill.

• Drink The H20: Don’t ever think that because it is cold outside that you will not require any fluids. Nothing beats the H20 for proper hydration before and during training (possibly at room temperature). After training, try to mix up your fluid with a mixture of carbs and protein to refuel muscle glycogen stores.

• Warm Clothing: This is a given , but you would be surprised how many people get this wrong. Try to warm up with nice hugging clothing, that is light, not too heavy. No big scarf or mitts and your newly woven woollen jumpsuit from your nana. Companies such as Nike and Adidas develop thermals for the competitive athlete, you should give them a try, as they keep warmth in and are light and comfortable. Nice light hugging gloves are also a good bet, Nike and Adidas and other manufacturer’s develop these also.

When the bite of winter gives you the blues, remember that you have some very good options to utilise so that you keep snug as a bug and also pump out powerful performances.