As the Winter nights start rolling in earlier and earlier, it’s inevitable that if you’re a keen runner, jogger, or cyclist, that at some point over the next four months you’ll find yourself exercising outside in the dark. While you might not be bothered by the colder, darker evenings, it’s important to understand the risks that come with exercising outside in low light conditions and arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can to help avoid accidents.

Luckily, there are plenty of steps you can take to help stay safe while exercising outside in the dark. We’ll take you through a couple of options to consider before you head out before your next run, cycle or walk.

1. Plan your route
   It’s a good idea to have a rough idea of the route you plan to run, jog or cycle before you set off. Not only is it safer to stick to routes you know when exercising at night so you don’t get lost or lose your bearings, but it’s also useful to plan in advance so that you can plot your route along well-lit roads and paths. When you’re running or cycling in low light conditions, it certainly helps to be familiar with the path you’re following. That way you’ll know of any pot-holes, safe places to stop and rest or stretch and all of the available foot or cycle path options.
2. Wear hi-vis clothing
   Even just a simple, affordable hi-vis vest could make all the difference to your visibility in low lighting – it could even potentially save your life. But high visibility clothing doesn’t stop there, there are hoodies, trousers, jumpers and many more garments available – all of which can help keep you safe when you’re pounding the pavements on a dark Winters night.
3. Don’t exercise alone
   Another way to increase your personal safety is to exercise with a friend, family member or partner. You’ll feel safer knowing that you’re not alone and reassured having someone with you who could call for help if anything were to happen. Plus, exercising with a companion is always a lot more fun and often makes the time fly by even quicker! You’ll have run that extra mile without even realising.
4. Be aware of your surroundings
   If you do decide to exercise alone, make sure that you don’t cut yourself off from your surroundings too much, perhaps by listening to loud music or wearing noise-cancelling headphones. It’s important to be aware of what is going on around you, for instance, if any fast vehicles are approaching. Even if you are wearing hi-vis clothing and can clearly be seen by approaching vehicles, it’s still advisable to keep one ear out for traffic, as you never know how distracted a driver may be. Remember, it’s always wise to put your own safety first and take as many precautions as you can.
5. Let someone know where you are
   Before you go for your evening run, cycle, walk or jog, let someone know that you’re going. Even if you send a quick text to let someone know what you’re doing and roughly where you’ll be going.

We hope our top tips have given you the confidence to continue your exercise routine throughout the darker, winter months. Nothing quite beats that post-run high, and we need those endorphins even more in the wintertime. So, as long as you’re sensible and take as many steps as you can to keep yourself safe and visible, there’s no reason that exercising outside even in the dark can’t be a perfectly safe way to keep fit all year round.

If you’re interested in investing in some hi-viz clothing, then why not check out our range of affordable high visibility clothing today?