Seasonal Exercises
Adjusting your workout routine accordingly
Currently, as I'm writing this, it's become late spring. For the northeast this means some pretty nice weather. Not so cold, not so hot, just really nice. Well, most of the time since pollen and tree blossom is all over the place. For me, and my allergies, this commences a cat and mouse sorta game if you will. That is, I wanna get outside and start cycling and soccer training. However, I also wanna be able to breath.
Sometimes I feel as though it is essential to get out there a bit early in the season. Why? Two things really. Sunshine and fresh air. It's been a long winter. But really, late fall and early spring ain't the cats meow in my neck of the woods either. I've been holed up in my gym for all my cardio activities. And although it's been great since their indoor air quality does not bother my respiratory system, I do those activities under a cloak of darkness due to my gym schedule and being hooded by the buildings roof.
Fresh air is invigorating. Sunshine is known to improve one's mood or overall outlook on life tremendously. Not only that, exposure to the sunlight is crucial for production of vitamin-d, a very vital part in keeping your hormonal balance well ordered.
But for me, this all goes beyond the tangible stuff. When I go out on a bike ride, I see civilization. All sorts of people going too and from work, school, errand runs. While living on New York's Long Island, I would exit my apartment with my bike. Lock the door. Stretch. Then ride 6 miles to the waterfront. Once there I would chill for a few minutes. Look and the boats and yachts. People watch at the park in town. Then turn around and ride back. I got to see many different neighborhoods and how people are livin'. It was really nice and a breath of fresh air for my mind. There were sidewalks and bike lanes. It was relatively safe.
During that same time period I would also soccer train at one of my alma maters. The international students, and soccer inclined Americans, would always be playing pickup matches. People suggested I should join, but declined because I had adult responsibilities to take care of rather than play into the evening for 2-3 hours. Pretty soon, I couldn't resist and joined them. It became A LOT of fun, and enhanced my fitness greatly. And we played all year round provided the field was clear and unobstructed with snow. My personal cutoff was 35 degrees Farenheit. As in below that it was a no go for my body would lock up.
The moment I can afford wind breaking gear, I will extend cycling season deep into the fall and very early in the spring.
If there existed a kickboxing gym under the sunlight, in the outdoors, I would go (provided it was affordable).
During the pandemic when gyms were shutdown I did calisthenics at a playground. Again, 35 degrees F was my cutoff. Just dressed warm and good to go.
It doesn't matter what you like to do for sport and exercise. Just understand that there is a season for it. Adjust your workout routine for the weather. Ride those seasons like a wave. It will give you a great amount of variety so your mind and body does not become stagnant. Trust me, you don't want to get to that point.
It can be just as simple as taking a walk. Even when it's cold, just button up. Wear layers. Basque in whatever sunshine you may find. Take in that crisp fresh air with long draws of your breath. Exhale, and live another day in glory.
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