Dressed for the Chill

This winter, don't let the thermometer keep you from your outdoor fitness routine. With the right duds, a walk or jog in February can be as comfortable as one in May. Remember, the biggest problem is not getting too cold, but too hot. Overheating leads to wet clothing against your skin-which can chill you. Therefore, fitness experts agree that when it comes to winter workout clothing, less is more.

A lightweight, three-layer system works best for sub-zero workouts. So, for optimum climate control, follow the three-layer basics:

Layer # 1: The layer closest to your body should be made of polypropylene or polyester. These light, soft fabrics draw sweat away from your skin.

Layer # 2: This layer has the dual task of keeping you warm and getting rid of excess moisture. A wool sweater will work, or better yet, choose a polyester fleece jacket or vest.

Layer # 3: The outside layer should block the wind and rain. A simple nylon windbreaker will keep out the wind, but if it's raining a Gore-Tex jacket is ideal.

Remember, the goal is to maintain the perfect climate-controlled environment-so you can keep sweat output to a minimum. Start out a little cold, then add layers if you don't warm up in a few minutes. And likewise, don't wait until you break a sweat to start removing your layers.