We all want to maintain an active lifestyle year round, but as the weather gets colder in the winter months, it can be difficult to find the motivation to put on your sneakers and get outside. Fortunately, there are some distinct benefits to working up a sweat in cold weather.

It’s good for endurance training

Studies have shown that cool temperatures can boost endurance performance, while warm temperatures can hinder it. Fifty to 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature for endurance, so if you’re training for a marathon or other lengthy feat, cold weather can actually help you achieve your goals.

Cold weather burns more calories

When temperatures are low, our bodies burn more calories to keep us warm. Specifically, colder weather prompts our bodies to burn brown fat, which creates heat and regulates body temperature.

Colder weather boosts your metabolism 

As brown fat is activated by cold weather, it breaks down blood sugar and fat molecules to create heat, helping to regulate our metabolism and even manage diabetes.

Colder temperatures help with mental mindset 

Many athletes will tell you that sports are as much mental as they are physical. If your head isn’t in it, your body won’t be either. Fortunately, studies have shown that it takes more glucose to cool us down than to warm us up, meaning that cooler weather provides more available glucose for your brain. Research has even shown that memory is better in cold weather than warm.