With the cold temperatures and ice and snow covered sidewalks, it’s important to take the necessary precautions when exercising outdoors during the winter. Trish Worrall, Wellness Supervisor at the Knoxville Recreation Center says while everyone is different, the risk of injury is higher when exercising in cold weather. She says joints are typically stiffer, breathing is different with cooler air, it’s more difficult to maintain an appropriate internal temperature when it’s cold and slick spots can also increase the possibility of getting injured.

Worrall recommends that residents keep moving when outside and consider looking into the wide variety of indoor fitness opportunities available at the recreation center.