Winter is Coming | Stay Strong in the Off-Season
Oct 31, 2024
By MTN OPS TEAM
When the temperatures drop and the outdoor season winds down, the hunt is over, the tags have been filled, and the physical demands of packing out an animal move aside, so can our fitness regimen. Colder temps and holiday stress can make it easy to lose motivation and let your fitness goals slide. But the winter months are actually the perfect time to reset, rebuild, and come back stronger than ever. With the right mindset and plan, you can maintain strength, stay active, and prepare for your best season yet.
Here’s how you can stay strong and focused during the winter offseason:
Just because you’re not hitting the trails or mountains doesn’t mean you should hit pause on your progress. Use the offseason to set new goals—whether it’s building strength, improving endurance, or developing mobility. Clear goals will keep you motivated and on track during those cold, dark months.
Pro Tip: Break your big goals into smaller, actionable milestones. That way, you can celebrate progress along the way and stay engaged.
The offseason is the perfect time to work on building raw strength and stability. Incorporate functional movements like squats, deadlifts, presses, and pull-ups into your routine. Strength training improves performance, reduces injury risk, and helps you power through your favorite outdoor activities when the season returns.
Pro Tip: Use MTN OPS Ignite pre-workout to fuel your lifts and push past plateaus. We also have fitness training coaches available to help get you dialed in with personalized workout and nutrition advice.
While winter might not be ideal for long trail runs, it’s important to keep your cardiovascular endurance up. Switch things up with indoor cardio workouts, such as rowing, cycling, or stair climbing. If you love the outdoors, winter sports like skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking are great ways to get your heart pumping.
Pro Tip: Try interval training for efficient, high-intensity workouts that improve both strength and cardio.
Winter can bring comfort foods and holiday indulgences, but now is the time to stay disciplined with your nutrition. Focus on eating clean, whole foods that support muscle recovery and overall health. Make sure to get enough protein to maintain muscle mass, and incorporate healthy fats to fuel your workouts. If you’re unsure how much you need, check out our other blog post; “Are You Getting Enough Protein?”
Pro Tip: MTN OPS Magnum and Ammo are great ways to ensure you’re hitting your protein goals every day.
Offseason training can be intense, so don’t skip out on recovery. Stretching, foam rolling, and mobility work should be part of your weekly routine. Adequate rest will help your body repair and grow stronger. Winter is also the perfect time to focus on mental recovery—use downtime to recharge mentally and emotionally.
Pro Tip: Supplement with MTN OPS Slumber to promote deep sleep and ensure your body recovers fully.
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you need to stay indoors. Layer up and embrace winter activities like hiking, snowboarding, ice climbing, or even a brisk walk in the snow. Staying active outdoors will lift your mood, keep you in shape, and make winter feel less daunting.
Pro Tip: Keep a stash of MTN OPS Hydrate in your pack to stay fueled and refreshed, even in cold weather.
Consistency is the key to offseason success. Even if your workouts aren’t perfect, showing up regularly will keep you moving forward. View the offseason as a time to lay the foundation for bigger things ahead. Your hard work now will pay off when spring comes, and you’re back at it with renewed strength and endurance.
Crush the Offseason and Stay Strong All Winter Long
The winter months don’t have to slow you down. With focused training, smart nutrition, and a little adventure, you can stay strong and set yourself up for success next season. Embrace the process, enjoy the journey, and stay ready for whatever challenges come your way.
Ready to power through winter? Stock up on MTN OPS products to fuel your workouts, recover smarter, and stay consistent no matter the season.
