Can Cold Training Make You Faster?

New research suggests cold-weather training might enhance endurance by improving mitochondrial function—the energy powerhouse of your muscles.

Key Findings:

• Exercising in cooler temperatures (32°F/0°C) may reduce muscle overheating, promoting fat-burning and aerobic efficiency.
• A 7-week study showed greater gains in mitochondrial markers for participants training in cold conditions versus warmer ones.
• Unlike heat training, which boosts blood volume, cold training may improve muscle efficiency without added heat stress.

Practical Takeaway for Cyclists:

• Training in cooler conditions could improve endurance—especially for long-distance events.
• The key isn’t being cold but staying cool enough to prevent muscle overheating.

Why It Matters:

Winter training might do more than maintain fitness—it could supercharge endurance for next season. Bundle up and give it a try!

This information was presented at a conference in Montreal last month by a physiologist named Dominique Gagnon.

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On my mindHard Work vs. Smart Work

Cycling success isn’t about just riding longer—it’s about riding smarter. In the past, more miles meant more fitness, but today, improvement comes from targeted effort. The future belongs to those who push themselves with purpose, not just those who punch the clock.

Hard work means making tough decisions—skipping group rides to focus on weaknesses, testing new strategies, or pushing limits when others won’t. It’s taking risks—like racing at higher power to test limits—while knowing smart effort trumps blind effort.

The best riders aren’t faster because they train more—they train better. They sweat the details, embrace the grind, and take risks that lead to breakthroughs.

So tomorrow, when you clip in, don’t just ride—train with purpose.

Damian