What to wear for outdooe exercise in winter

[RainyDaysAndGlumDays]

Over the summer, I joined an outdoor exercise group. It's kettlebells, dumbells, squats, those type of movements. Whilst it is daylight, comfortably warm and dry, gym leggings and a t-shirt is fine, but I don't know what sort of layers I'll need when it is cold and/or rainy. They have said they stay outside all year round. I really like the class, so am not looking to move to a gym for the winter. I tend to feel the cold normally. My fingers get cold, blue and difficult to move when it is cold, although I have found cashmere wristwarmers helpful, I don't know how practical they would be for this type of class. For everyday life, I I know to layer up, but what sort of layers are we talking about for this? Normal, thin rain jackets or some kind of more flexible jacket? Do people wear several thin layers? What should I be searching for online? Is there such a thing as winter-weight exercise leggings? I can find thermal leggings, but they seem to be more of an everyday thing rather than good for squats.Hoodies/tracksuit-type top or something else? I don't have a lot of shops nearby and don't have a huge budget. Thanks for any recommendations.

Please excuse typo in title. Outdoor.

Thermal leggings and layers. I like fingerless cycling gloves as I can still grip equipment.
Running ranges will be worth looking at.

You do warm up while you're doing it. It has to be very cold for me not to end up down to a vest top for some of the session when I'm warmed up.

There are thermal exercise leggings. Spendy Sweaty Betty ones are great if you can get them as a gift. But I would also look at M&S. They won’t be in stock yet.

I always go for layers and if you’re doing it each week you’ll find tou just naturally add what you need.

However, if you are asking about what to wear for the depth of winter (or indeed a chilly November day I would say for your top half I would go for a vest, then a Merino long sleeved (Mountain Warehouse and Uniqlo and M&S have good budget options). Then if you need it, a fleece.
For the depths of winter I wear a body warmer to warm up in and Uniqlo Ultra light down ones are good.

Also gloves, handy band/ snood and woolly hat. And if it’s raining you just wear a cagoul or get a bit wet 😀.

That's great, thank you.

These are good, versitile layers.

Thermal running leggings are great for that sort of thing, they are fleecy on the inside usually.

All mine have come from decathlon.

Pp are right if you're working hard you'll gradually shed layers so don't go too overboard

I have a number of long sleeve tops in thicker technical material (all running brands, bought in various sales) and I usually only need a windproof layer on top - a gilet if its not raining, a thin hooded jacket if it is.

I rarely wear a waterproof jacket as 90% of the reason you get cold is the wind so if you can stop that you're golden.

I suspect gloves will be the hardest bit to solve for you but I can't help with that as I never need gloves even in the winter.

I’ve done a similar class and wore football or running gloves from decathlon (the football ones were children’s, I have no idea why but they didn’t do them for adults, warm, flexible, water repellent and woth grippy palms.)

usually sweaty Betty therma boost leggings (sales and BNWT vinted), or similar as bit water repellent. Sometimes trail running waterproof trousers from decathlon on top (very flexible, forgot I had them in often).

sports tee, maybe thermal mid layer, fleece. I’d try to keep a waterproof dry for afterwards/

I do an outdoor bootcamp all year round. I stick with the same leggings all year round but if it’s cold I will wear a thin thermal base layer under a t shirt, or a long sleeved running top. I tend not to bother with a waterproof if it’s raining unless it’s pouring and cold, when I’ll wear a running jacket. Winter cycling gloves as PP has said. If you’re in grass and it’s wet, trail running shoes can be better than trainers as they have more grip.

I appreciate the details, thank you.

IANAD but have you looked at Raynaud's syndrome as the reason for your cold hands? It's a known circulation issue.

As the others have said breathable layers are the best for outdoor activities. I would prioritise a windproof rather than waterproof outer layer because it is easier for sweat to evaporate and you can stay warm. If the outer layer is completely waterproof you can turn into a hot and sweaty mess on the inside and it's not as comfortable.

I run year round. In winter nothing beats merino wool socks and a merino wool base layer for keeping warm, but nut overheating. Wool stays warm when wet too. I wear full length running leggings (my go to brand is Ron Hill) when it get really cold, and then variations on a thin fleece and/or windproof top, and Buff (neck tube) or fleece beanie.

I’ve done this sort of class for a few years.
If really cold, I have a fleecy pair of ronhill leggings (also great for wfh), otherwise normal legging are fine.
A long sleeved thin underlayer with a running t-shirt over the top. Then maybe a quarter zip mid layer of either mid weight synthetic or fleece - sometimes both!
I have a lightweight puffa which I usually chuck off during the warm up. I’d like to upgrade to a hybrid one which is stretchy on the arms and shoulders but puffa on the front and back, just for ease of movement.
I might start in a light waterproof/cycling jacket if really wet but usually take it off quite quickly.
A beanie hat or headband covering your ears is essential. Sometimes a neckwarmer too.
Grippy gloves are good - some people use riding gloves or you can get under armour ones or kipsta - both really cheap.
It sounds like I have a lot of kit but much of it is over 10 years old and I do another outdoor sport too so it doubles up. Vinted is great for any of this stuff.