MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The U.P. is bound for frigid weather and some are still exercising outside to achieve any fitness goals. Anytime Fitness Marquette Club Manager Tim Martin says staying safe in the elements starts before leaving home.

“If they’re working outside, try and get a warmup in it, of course,” Martin said. “Five, ten minutes, you want your blood pumping a little bit, you wanna warm those muscles, connect your tissues up a little bit.”

Martin says warming up muscles makes them more elastic, so you lower the risk of tearing something in the cold. He recommends leg stretches around the house or walking for a bit before your run. Queen City Running General Manager Matt Johnson says he agrees–the first step starts with clothing.

“Before you leave the house, you are warm,” Johnson said. “We want to keep all of that in. Any amount of exposure will lead to that heat going away. It’s really hard to get that back.”

Johnson says body heat escapes quickly while running. He says layering is really important when you’re exercising in the cold. Face masks and a hood help make sure you’re protected.

He says when you start to feel a burning sensation, don’t stay outside.

“As soon as you start to feel something, you don’t want to wait a minute or two,” Johnson said. “If you need to duck indoors, find a place to do that, like a gas station or the Y.”

Martin advises you to keep a towel on hand to wipe away exposed sweat.

“Pretty dang cold out right now,” Martin said. “So, having that sweat on your skin, it’s cold and flu season; you don’t want to be getting sick, you don’t want to risk frostbite if you’re gonna be out there for an extended period of time.”

He says if it gets too cold to run outside, you can still meet your health goals inside the gym.

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