If you’re anything like us, you’ll spend the majority of the year waiting for that elusive weather sweet spot before stepping outside to work out. 

While we all understand the benefits of outdoor exercise, from improving mood to stimulating our brains, it can be difficult to motivate ourselves to head out when it’s too hot/too cold/too windy.

But rather than slamming the front door and heading for the sofa (which we totally endorse when needed, by the way) why not use meteorology to your advantage? We asked the experts why a workout in the wind is so good for us – and it might just motivate you to give it a go. 

While exercising in windy conditions might seem off-putting, it can be really beneficial for your training – you just need to learn to embrace it. If you’ve ever tried running against a gale-force wind, you’ll know that the word tough doesn’t even begin to cover it. But the best workouts are often (at least a little) challenging – here’s how to make the most of the wind this autumn.

Increased resistance

“The resistance that exercising in windy conditions creates can be similar to that of lifting weights,” explains trainer Beth Davies. “This extra resistance is more challenging to your muscles and forces them to work harder, which over time helps you to develop more strength.”

If you’ve always wanted to try strength training but haven’t got access to any free weights or dumbbells – here’s your chance. 

Cardiovascular benefits

Increasing resistance and making your muscles work harder has a knock-on effect on your heart and lungs, as they’re also put under more strain.

“Windy conditions also help build more cardiovascular fitness,” says Davies. “Your heart and lungs are working harder to supply more oxygen to your muscles as they tire quicker, which can help build more endurance and stamina.”

So, if you’re looking to maximise the benefits of a shorter workout (and who isn’t?), try a wind session – you’ll need to work for much less time to gain the same benefits. Win-win. 

Improved balance and stability

If you’ve ever tried to stand upright on a wind-swept walk, you’ll know that remaining vertical takes a lot of balance when you’re being buffeted around – meaning you’re utilising your stabilising muscles.

“Windy workouts can also help improve balance and stability as you’re having to adjust positions and engage more muscles, such as the core muscles,” says Davies.

Stabilising muscles include not only the deep muscles in your pelvis, core and back, but also your hip flexors, hamstrings and quads. Strengthening these muscles can help to improve balance and co-ordination, which will, in turn, benefit all your workouts, as well as helping to prevent injury. 

Wind helps you keep cool

It goes without saying that any kind of breeze during an intense sweat session comes as a welcome relief, helping to keep us cool and dry.

“Exercising in windy conditions helps improve sweat evaporation,” says Davies. “Very simply, as you exercise the body produces sweat as a way of cooling itself down. In windy conditions, the moving air accelerates this evaporation of sweat, helping to keep you cooler.”

Windy workouts improve resilience and mental strength

If you’ve ever been tempted to turn round and head back home after embarking on a particularly windy run, you’re not alone. But sometimes, you simply have to get the miles under your belt – if you’re training for an event, for example.

And it’s a particularly cruel twist of fate that marathon season tends to be in the spring, meaning you’ll be logging all those long training runs over the winter months. But the mental resilience and strength you’ll have developed in digging deep and carrying on will stand you in excellent stead, no matter what you’re training for. 

“Exercising in windy conditions can be a little unpredictable so you may have to adapt your workout or workout strategy on the fly,” says Davies. “In addition, working out in the wind can require more concentration and focus to maintain speed, balance and so on, helping to improve mental concentration and discipline. Plus, it teaches you to persevere even when it would be easier to give up and go home, which provides a stronger mindset, more resilience and a huge sense of accomplishment when you’re done.”

All this being said, safety is of the utmost importance when you’re working out in unpredictable weather.

“While there is something about windy conditions that can be invigorating, challenging and fun, you might want to give some thought to which exercises can be done safely in the wind,” cautions Davies. “Running, outdoor bootcamps, cycling, walking and outdoor swimming lend themselves nicely to more challenging weather.”

Images: Getty