TV doctor has found 'perfect' time of year to exercise which makes it 'easier'

08 December 2023 , 15:57

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Michael Mosley has figured out the best time to exercise (Image: Getty Images)

Finding the motivation to exercise is hard - but it turns out there's one particular time of year where it's worth putting the extra effort in.

The freezing, rainy weather and early dark nights make snuggling up on the sofa a much more appealing thought than going out for a jog. Subscriptions for gyms can also be costly, and are always busy with people trying to stick to their New Year resolutions.

But, Dr Michael Mosley, the inventor of the Fast 800 diet, has revealed that there is a 'perfect' time of the year to get active, but the answer may surprise you.

Exercising in the Summer heat can be hard - but finding motivation in the Winter is equally challenging (Stock photo) (Getty Images)

The TV presenter made the comments on a new BBC Radio 4 podcast named Cold Therapy - which explores the benefits of exercising in the colder winter months. "Not surprisingly, we tend to be much less active in the winter months than during the summer, when it's warm and dry," Dr Mosley said. "But there are some real advantages to exercising when it's colder, not least that you'll probably find it easier. Believe it or not, you can work harder, faster, and get fit quicker if it's a little cooler outside."

Dr Chris Tyler from the University of Roehampton joined as a guest on the show to discuss the topic. The expert has been analysing how hot and cold environments can affect the performance of cyclists and runners, as well as physically-demanding jobs like the military and firefighters.

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He says running in the cold yielded a "better performance" - with the ideal temperature for recreational runners being around 10C. For elite marathon runners, this dropped down to 4-8C.

Dr Mosely says this could simply be down to the fact that people exercising in colder temperatures don't get as hot - which means the body is under less stress. Colder temps mean there is less need to expel heat from the body, which means the heart doesn't have to work as hard.

"That means that you can exercise harder, if you want, for the same level of strain as you'd experience in other conditions," the expert added. "That might mean that you run faster or get more fitness benefits as a result. Or, it might mean that you just exercise at the same intensity under a lower strain and have less potential consequences of doing so."

Do you have any tips for exercising in winter? Let us know in the comments section below

Liam Gilliver