I’m a personal trainer and these are the cold-weather essentials I can’t live without
Embrace the outdoors—whether you’re walking about or working out
Whenever I get the chance, I love taking my personal training clients outdoors for their workout sessions, it can be fun and also so-called green exercise is known for improving mental health and mood, as well as reducing stress and anxiety.
But while my customers are getting their heart rates and body temperatures up—even in the winter months—I’m standing still next to them getting colder. Luckily, I’ve become well-versed in combatting the chill, building up a decent cold-weather wardrobe that’s packed with athleisure items.
Want to stay snug, too? Here’s a pick of my favorite cold-weather activewear brands to get you through the winter months.
My number one cold-weather essential is this Columbia Amaze Puff jacket. The fleece-lined pockets are a toasty treat for my hands and worth the price tag alone. They help combat my poor circulation, which usually leaves my hands stone-cold. The jacket is super warm, but if you do get too hot in it and want to take it off, it has interior straps that can be used to wear it like a backpack instead. It also has a removable hood for days when there’s no chance of rain. The jacket is rain and stain-resistant—thanks to the Omni-Shield layer—which means when I spill my coffee down my front (unfortunately, a daily occurrence) it repels the liquid from absorbing.
When I interviewed Jennifer Aniston’s trainer Dani Coleman, she turned me onto the brand Free People and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since. This Hit the Slopes fleece has a nostalgic ’90s vibe and is as warm as it is stylish. I wear it under my coat when training clients outdoors or throw it over my workout kit when I’m training on those extra cold days.
As someone who wears leggings every day for work, I’ve tried my fair share of the good, the bad and the ugly—these are definitely in the former category. Made from technical recycled nylon, they’re soft and stretchy but tight enough to hold everything in place during high-intensity workouts. Bonus points for the two side pockets and the fact that they're thick, keeping me nice and warm.
The slightly longer length of this soft and stretchy sports bra really makes a difference when it’s cold—almost acting as a cropped vest and keeping my upper torso warm. It offers medium support, so it’s not one for high-intensity training, but it’s great for cycling, walking or maybe even an outdoor yoga class—if that’s your thing. In the warmer months, it could also double up as a standalone top.
No winter workout wardrobe would be complete without a long-sleeve top or base layer, and this one from cult shapewear brand SPANX is buttery soft and made of a four-way stretch fabric designed to keep in the heat while removing moisture away from the body. As you'd expect from SPANX, this top is really supportive and ideal for running as it keeps you warm but doesn't let sweat stick to the skin. If you want full-length warmth, the top comes with matching leggings ($98).
Another long-sleeve top that deserves a mention is this thermal one from Icebreaker. It’s warm and made from soft, breathable 100% merino wool jersey. It works as an excellent base layer when running or doing high-intensity drills as it’s moisture-wicking, moving sweat away from your skin. It’s a great staple in my winter workout wardrobe.
No winter outfit would be complete without a beanie and this gorgeous purple one (it also comes in blue, pink and white) from Sweaty Betty is my new favourite. I wear mine to keep warm when I’m training my clients or during the rare occasion when I can convince myself to go for a run.
As much as I love a ¾ length legging, discovering these super soft, full-length flared sports leggings from H&M has been a game-changer in winter. With my ankles covered, I feel warmer but still have the same freedom of movement that comes with regular leggings. I’ve worn them for hikes when I visited my friends who live near the mountains in Abergavenny, Wales, but they'd also be great for jogging. I’m a convert.
No-one likes soggy feet, and with these waterproof and insulated boots from FitFlop you don’t ever need to worry about that. Warm, supportive and stylish, I have barely taken them off this winter. They come in handy when I’m moving around training clients or showing them how to do certain exercises such as lunges and squats because they’re lightweight yet sturdy.
Keeping my hands warm is a big priority for me because of my poor circulation, and these gloves from The North Face ensure that my digits are snug when I’m training clients. The gloves are water-repellent and made from partly recycled materials, plus they are touchscreen friendly, so you don’t have to take them off to use your phone.
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