Conquer the Chill with These Cold Weather Training Motivation Hacks
Colder weather and shorter days make workout motivation a scarce commodity, but with a few helpful hacks, you can spark the inspiration you need to hit the gym this autumn.
Ditch the snooze fest
While crisp mornings are refreshing, they’re also conducive to duvet days! The first step to springing up from your warm and comfy bed on colder mornings is not hitting the snooze button on your alarm.
Snoozing through alarms can leave you feeling more tired and groggy as you fragment your sleep and disrupt your sleep cycles.
Place your phone or alarm clock out of reach. If you’re a chronic ‘snoozer’, download an alarm app that forces you to solve a problem or perform a cognitive task to turn it off. There are numerous options available in app stores, like the My Math Alarm Clock.
Keeping your wake-up time the same throughout the seasons and even on weekends creates routine and consistency, which is what the mind and body thrive on. The same applies to your bedtime every night!
Support your body
When you’re up, flick the lights on as soon as possible to signal your brain that it’s time to get going.
If you can, get some exposure to sunlight when you wake up, as this helps regulate your natural circadian rhythm and increases alertness.
Before turning on the coffee machine, fill a glass with water and add electrolytes to hydrate your cells. Proper hydration first thing in the morning helps replenish fluids lost during the night, helping to boost brain and body function to help you feel alert and energised.
Aim to only drink your first cup of coffee 60-90 minutes after waking up as this gives your body time to clear the sleep-promoting neurotransmitter adenosine, which helps increase alertness.
Move to the beat
Who doesn’t get a surge of energy when listening to a workout playlist that gets you moving to the beat?
Whether you’re hitting the weights room or some steady-state cardio, compiling a range of playlists to meet different moods and workout intensities with your favourite songs can make a gym session more appealing in any weather.
If you’re a fan of listening to podcasts or audiobooks, reserve that pleasure for your hour in the gym. By bundling an activity you enjoy – the podcast – with one that you may lack the willpower to engage in – the workout – you’ll be more inclined to get to the gym.
Stimulate action
While caffeine is a go-to for many to get their morning routine going, sometimes the motivation to exercise needs something more potent and intense!
Mixing up a pre-workout supplement before a training session primes your mind and body with a mega-dose of caffeine and other stimulants.
For instance, Primal Amino Force or Primal Pre delivers a potent dose of caffeine (200mg and 300mg, respectively), which is a central nervous system stimulant that can increase focus and alertness, help combat fatigue and improve energy levels, making it easier to stay motivated and focused on the training session that lies ahead.
If that’s enough of a jolt to the system, new Primal Concentrate Pre is a next-level pre-workout is dosed to deliver a surge of energy and invigorate body and mind.
Each serving contains 3,000mg Beta-alanine, 1,500mg L-Citrulline Malate, 1,500mg L-Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate (AAKG), 1,250mg Betaine Anhydrous, and 250mg Caffeine Anhydrous to support training intensity.
All-weather warrior
So don’t let the crisp air and cosy vibes of autumn and winter lull you into a fitness hibernation! Use these tips to unlock abundant energy and become an all-weather workout warrior to conquer your training goals.