Cold temperatures, shorter days, slippery roads, and a lack of sunlight can make prioritizing your winter workouts a challenge. Winter workouts hit different, and it can be hard to get motivated to go for a run or head to the gym on a cold morning. Adding to the challenge, recovery time slows with the cold temperatures and your immune system is busy dodging every virus in sight.
As difficult as it may be, prioritizing fitness in the winter is one of the best things you can do to stay upbeat and well. Targeted pre and post workout supplements play an essential role in staying consistent, strong, and healthy with your exercise routine.
Don't let the early sunsets steal your motivation. We've got your guide to how post and pre workout supplements can fuel your workouts this winter and aid in recovery so you can build on a healthy fitness foundation.
Winter Workouts Matter: Support your Body with Pre Workout Supplements
The combination of shorter days and cold temperatures can make it harder to find the energy you need to stay active. Cold temperatures mean that outdoor exercise is more taxing on the body and may require more targeted pre-exercise nutrition before heading outside.
Pre workout supplements alongside a nutrient-dense diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can provide the energy you need to get moving.
Carbohydrates
As your body's preferred fuel source, carbs play a central role in fueling your fitness, especially in the winter. You burn more calories when exercising in cold weather, and your body uses carbs to stay warm and stay in motion.
Protein
The engine of your workout is protein. Prioritizing protein in food and pre workout supplements before your workout can make a difference in energy levels, particularly if you workout first thing in the morning. Post workout, protein stimulates muscle protein synthesis that supports recovery, growth, and repair.
Creatine
A naturally occurring compound made of amino acids, creatinine provides the support needed for your muscles to quickly generate the energy needed to challenge your body. Creatine workout supplements are especially helpful prior to weight training, sprinting and interval training.
Post Workout Supplements
Feeling that post workout high? Be sure to nourish your body after exercise to support muscle recovery, fight fatigue, and support muscle growth.
Vitamin D
As our access to natural sunlight decreases, so do our vitamin D levels. In fact, studies show that up to 75% of the midwestern population has insufficient vitamin D levels in the winter. Get sun when you can, and soak up the best source of natural vitamin D.
Vitamin C
Found naturally in many plan-based foods, Vitamin C supports immune cell function and triggers your body's immune response to infections. It also helps reduce oxidative stress after a workout, which can lead to a decrease in immune system function.
Iron
Tired after a workout? Iron can help prevent post-workout fatigue and low iron levels can lead to slower recovery times. Iron plays a key role in rebuilding red blood cells after exercise and is especially important for female and endurance athletes in the winter.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is involved in immunity and healing, serving not only to help you recover but keep you well enough to stay consistent. By supporting muscle repair and protein synthesis, zinc may shorten downtime between workouts.
Fuel Up with Workout Supplements from Natural Healthy Concepts
You're just a click away from loading your cart with the supplements and sports nutrition you need to stay motivated and balanced as the winter months pass by.
Support your Workout with Pre Workout Supplements
Garden of Life Organic Plant-Based Energy and Focus can give you a quick boost of energy and focus to improve your performance with 85 mg of naturally sourced caffeine.
Thorne Research Creatine Powder provides high quality creatine formulated to create ATP, a key molecule needed for intense exercise and high performance sports.
NutriDyn Performance Energy Drink is a delicious way to support your body pre and post workout designed to support muscle repair and prevent muscle breakdown.
OIAM Performance Restore Whey Protein Single Serve 12 Pack: With premium grass-few whey isolate, this protein embodies purity and potency.
Post Workout Supplements to Support Recovery
MRM Reload BCAA+G Post-Workout Recovery is designed to minimize muscle soreness after workouts and is ideal for high intensity athletes.
Vega Performance Protein and Recovery has the ability to consistently support high performance workouts with 30 grams of plant-based protein paired with 5 branched chain amino acids.
Codeage Multivitamin Recovery Elite Max can boost your post-workout recovery with a curated blend of vitamins, minerals, grass-fed colostrum, antioxidants and more.
NOW Foods ZMA Sports Recovery: This natural supplement contains zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6 to aid in recovery after intense workouts
FAQs
Do I Need to Take a Vitamin D Supplement in the Winter?
Yes, as sunlight naturally declines, taking a quality vitamin D supplement can play a role in bringing balance to your physical and mental health
Will Vitamin C Keep Me From Getting Sick?
Although not a magic bullet that protects you from viruses, Vitamin C is an immune support nutrient that helps your body fight and recover from illness.
Should I Take Protein Before or After a Workout?
Both are important but post-workup protein tips the scale slightly.
Before You Bundle Up and Hit the Gym
Even though it's harder, winter workouts make all the difference in your physical and mental health until warmer weather arrives. The benefits of staying active for your body and mind are the foundation of maintaining wellness as the winter season passes. With the right workout supplements to support you, you can prioritize healthy movement all season long.
