The Best Gear for Winter Workouts

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One thing grows faster in winter than any other season: Your gut. But only if you let it.

"A lot of people let themselves be sidelined by excuses in the colder months," says Jason Karp, Ph.D., exercise physiologist and director of the REVO 2 LT Running Team. "However, winter is actually a great time to try something new and make significant gains in your fitness level by working on your endurance." Plus, more exercise time can cut your risk of colds by 30 percent and help beat holiday bloat.

To seize the winter, you need the right equipment to stay comfortable and in control. Use this top gear to keep you going strong all season long:

The unyielding pavement pounder

Nike Air Pegasus+ 26 GTX Men's Running Shoe

These kicks are like all-weather tires for your toes. Coated with a Gore-Tex laminate, they're waterproof but breathable, so you can stomp through rain, mud and snow without flooding your feet. (Just be sure your running form is correct so you can avoid injuries and run faster.) A beefier rubber outsole with a waffle pattern for durability and traction makes them stable enough for all but the worst weather days. $105, nike.com

Mammut Alpine Underwear

Most base layers pack more heat than Plaxico Burress. As your run intensifies, your internal thermostat soars, turning the base layer into a sweat-soaked furnace. To control your personal climate, Mammut's long johns use a hybrid blend of merino wool for odor-free insulation and polyester microfiber for efficient moisture transport. Because different body parts heat and cool at different rates, the fabrics are used in varying densities, a technique called "bodymapping," to maintain an optimal body temperature. $60-$65, mammut.ch

Brooks Wanganui Shelter Glove

Your legs can't go the distance if your fingers are flirting with frostbite. The Wanganui's waterproof exterior keeps paws dry and warm, while a breathable, moisture-moving liner helps prevent sweat buildup. But these digit-defrosters also have something else up their sleeve: flip-back thumbs for correcting MP3 playlist miscues on the run. $40, brooksrunning.com

The backcountry conquerer

Tubbs Flex NRG

Snowshoeing may not appeal to Mountain Dew-slamming adrenaline junkies, but its calorie-blasting credentials make it one of the best winter workouts. In fact, snow-hoofing torches 45 percent more calories than jogging does at the same speed. Our rig of choice this winter is the Tubbs Flex NRG. Unlike other snowshoes, the biomechanically designed tail flexes to absorb shock. That allows the foot to roll from heel to toe for a stride that's more natural and easier on joints. $180, tubbssnowshoes.com

Timex WS4

Digital compass, barometer, thermometer, chronograph—the WS4 has more features than Gene Shalit's Netflix queue. Our favorite, however, is its tricked-out altimeter. That's because in the snow, the best way to melt fat fast isn't to measure how far out, but how far up. Track your ascent and you can ensure you're challenging your cardiovascular system, even while moving at the slower speeds.

With the WS4 you can set altitude targets (it chirps when you've reached your goal) and review your trek's stats, like highest/lowest altitude, total ascent/descent and time spent above target altitude. Perfect for these adrenaline-fueled, bodybuilding winter workouts. $200, timex.com

Talus Cold-Avenger

This souped-up ski mask warms you with a ventilated face piece that mixes cold air with exhaled hot air, helping to keep the temperature around your face 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit higher than outside air. It also helps to humidify inhaled air, allowing you to breathe easier as your taxed body craves more oxygen. $50, talusoutdoortech.com

The slope stormer

Atomic Hawx 80

A typical ski boot locks your entire foot into a cast that immobilizes your forefoot, a region crucial for finessing the slopes. The Hawx boots liberate the feet by providing flex points near the toes, allowing you to balance your body for tailored agility on each run. The result: cleaner turns and less pain for longer fat-burning slope sessions. $400, atomicsnow.com

Clif Shot Hot Electrolyte Drink Mix

To finish the day strong, mix in hot water at lunch for an apple cider pick-me-up packed with electrolytes. It'll help combat dehydration, which can set in twice as fast in alpine altitudes. And satisfy post-workout hunger with the best muscle-building, fat-burning foods. $2, clifbar.com

iTrail Map3D

You need an Eagle Scout, compass and an extra pair of hands to make sense out of most cumbersome paper trail maps. Packed with more than 700 3-D interactive resort maps, this app for the iPhone can pinpoint your location using GPS, so there's no cell connection required. It'll even record your runs, allowing you to upload your stats (e.g., distance skied) and view your tracks on Google Earth. $4, bigairsoftware.com

K2 Sunblock

Every 1,000 feet of altitude above sea level increases your risk of skin cancer by 10 percent. K2's SPF 50 sunblock shields UVA and UVB rays while guarding against windburn. $13, k2suncare.com

THE OFF-SEASON WARRIOR

Powerblocks

This 50-pound set of adjustable dumbbells can replace the 22 pairs of traditional weights your gym stocks. Plus, it's the most compact set we've seen, meaning this adjustable short stack's weight is concentrated toward the center for easier control. To beat workout boredom, try these body-transforming routines at home or the gym. $300, powerblock.com

Valslide

These foam-topped plastic sliders transform hard floors and carpets into ice rinks, intensifying old standbys like pushups, lunges and squats. Simple, portable and versatile, they're also ideal travel training tools, turning the in-laws' floors into proving grounds. $30, valslide.com

TRX Suspension Trainer

Designed by a Navy SEAL as a go-anywhere workout, this set of nylon straps creates resistance from two sources always at your disposal: body weight and gravity. Lock the straps onto any elevated fixture—a pullup bar, door or tree branch—and you'll unlock new dimensions in your training. Resistance can be adjusted from 5 to 100 percent of body weight by changing the incline of your body. $150, trx.com.

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Provided by Men's Health