The ZULU Hustle

During the fall and winter months, outdoor workouts can help increase your endurance and boost your mood. As the weather begins to get colder, it’s important to know how to safely conduct your outdoor workouts. We’ve gathered a few tips to help you stay warm throughout all your outdoor workouts. Don’t Skip the Warm Up In colder temperatures, your body is more at risk of muscle strains and sprains.  Taking the time to warm up is essential for any outdoor workout. A dynamic warm-up routine helps to get your blood flowing and warms up your muscles. Some great dynamic warm-up exercises include lunges, squats, and arm swings.  Dress in Layers  Cold weather calls for layering up. To keep your body warm from the cold temperatures, it's recommended to wear several layers of clothing. This includes a thin layer of sweat-wicking material that will pull the moisture away from your body. Next, a fleece layer for extra warmth. Depending on the weather, a waterproof outer layer can be used to keep the elements off of your body.  Protect Your Extremities  Did you know that your fingers, toes, and ears can be most affected by harsh temperatures? During cold weather, your body concentrates on keeping your core warm. As a result, these parts of the body are more vulnerable to frostbite. To keep the warmth in, it’s recommended that you wear gloves, thick socks, and a hat/headband. Know the Warning Signs  With extremely cold temperatures, it’s important to know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when your skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Signs include numbness and loss of feeling. Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, slurred speech, and intense shivering.  Drink Up Don’t forget to prioritize your hydration needs before, during, and after your cold weather workouts. During the fall and winter months, it’s very common for people to get dehydrated because they aren’t feeling as thirsty. Use our Ace 24oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle to keep dehydration at bay. The one-touch push button design makes it easy to hydrate no matter the workout. 

The start of a new school year is finally here! As you’re adjusting to your new routine, it’s important to set aside time for your kids to stay active. It’s recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Research has shown that regular exercise can help improve their physical and cognitive abilities. Here’s a few ways to get your kids moving after school. Walk Home From School If school is within walking distance, try walking your kids home after school. Your kids can tell you all about their day while getting their steps in. It’s a simple and easy way to make sure your kids are reaching their daily activity goal. Family Bike Ride Grab the bikes from the garage and tackle the physical activity goal as a family! Bike riding is a fun and low-impact activity that all ages will enjoy. Physical activities done by families can foster an environment of teamwork and communication. These skills are important to your child’s development. Obstacle Course  Challenge your kids to complete an obstacle course! Use your child’s imagination to create a themed course that’s exciting for them to complete. This is a great indoor/outdoor activity that pushes your children to work through a variety of obstacles. Obstacle courses also help your children to work on their problem solving and motor skills. After School Sports Try signing your kids up for an after school activity! Communities and schools offer a wide variety of programs that are designed to get your kids moving. Soccer, basketball, swimming, karate, or gymnastics are great forms of exercise that your kids might be interested in trying out.   Don’t forget to keep your kids hydrated throughout all their activities! We’ve got your hydration needs covered with our Echo 12oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle. This bottle was designed with double wall insulation to  keep drinks colder for longer. Echo also has a leak-proof locking lid that helps prevent accidental spills.