01/13/2026
Winter exercise gets a bad rap. But what if everything you think you know about cold-weather movement is wrong? Here are some common myths that might be keeping you inside when your body actually needs to get moving.
MYTH: “It's too cold to exercise safely outside.”
FACT: Your body can handle cold weather workouts just fine with the right layers. In fact, cold air can make cardio feel easier because your body doesn't have to work as hard to cool down.
MYTH: “Winter workouts don't improve your mood like summer exercise does.”
FACT: Exercise releases endorphins no matter the season. Winter movement can actually combat seasonal mood dips by getting you outside during limited daylight hours and keeping those feel-good chemicals flowing.
MYTH: “You'll burn fewer calories exercising in cold weather.”
FACT: The opposite is true. Your body burns extra calories just keeping itself warm during cold-weather activity. You might actually torch more calories on that winter walk than you would in July.
Moving your body in winter doesn’t have to look like training for a marathon. Focus on moving to benefit your mental health when the season makes that harder.
