Between major holidays and life events, keeping up with a year-round training regimen can seem impractical. But Spinning® Ambassador Cat Booker has some helpful tricks that can make your potential year-round training plan a reality!

First come the holidays, which hold their own special challenge for sticking to a training routine. Oftentimes, however, those challenges snowball into the New Year and, before you know it, the whole winter season!

Training though the winter can be tough, so I’m sharing a few of my favorite tips and tricks to a successful winter training season. I hope you find them helpful!

Motivation: If dreary weather is making your feel gloomy, aerobic training will lift your mood. The positive mental effects of training include more energy, better decision making, and a more positive outlook when training is regular. If you’re in a rut, just get the ball rolling and work your way up to three times a week. Once this becomes regular, you’re sure to feel motivated and keep it up!

Water: Winter training, and cold temperatures in general, can mask sweat and make it harder to tell just how much water that your body is losing. Dehydration can negatively impact exercise performance and can cause reduced endurance, increased fatigue, longer recovery times and lowered motivation. There is no “one size fits all” for water consumption, but the Spinning® program recommends drinking at least 40 fluid ounces of water within an hour of your classes. Check the color of your urine (it should be a pale, straw color), and if that’s not cutting it, try weighing yourself before and after a training session.

Sleep: Rest is when your fitness gains occur. Exercise can promote cortisol production, which aides the body in sleep and responses to stress. So if you have trouble sleeping after a workout, try to change up your training schedule and switch to a morning routine. If that’s not a possibility, make sure your training is balanced and that your intensity is adjusted based on how you feel. Always be sure to take time to cool down and stress after training. This is where real fitness gains are made!

For more inspiration and tips and tricks from me, follow along on Instagram @catbookerfitness. Happy Holidays!

How do you maintain your training regimen throughout the year! Hear more tips from our Spinning® community on Facebook and Instagram!