Now that we are approaching the cooler, darker months, it’s understandable that you don’t want to go outside to exercise. But that’s no excuse for not following through on your fitness goals. Check out these easy ways to stay fit even when it’s cold outside.
Go walking indoors. Find a safe place to walk, like your local mall. Some malls even open earlier to accommodate early birds who like to walk the mall in the morning.
Exercise, no gym required. You can do crunches, jumping jacks, and more all in the comfort of your own living room. Check out our WOWs for inspiration. Have a few minutes? Click here to view routines based on the amount of time you have.
Hit the gym. Many fitness centers or health clubs offer specials to new members early in the winter, so now is a great time to check out nearby facilities to find the right fit for you. Gyms offer a wide variety of both strength and cardio equipment and often have staff standing by to help you get started with a routine that works for you. Some even have indoor tracks so you can avoid the treadmill and still walk or jog indoors.
Create a home gym. Sometimes finding time to get out of the house to work out is a challenge. Streamline your efforts by setting up a space at home to work out. If space is available, you can purchase a few key pieces of equipment, such as a stationary bike and weights. However, you can also work out with DVDs or apps at little to no cost.
Try a new activity. This may be a good time to start a strength training routine if you haven’t done so before. There are a variety of classes from dance aerobics, mind/body (yoga, Pilates), to traditional aerobics.
Think outside the box. There are a number of indoor activities that help you break out of the traditional gym setting while still helping you break a sweat. Think ice skating, swimming, rock climbing or tennis. Bring along a friend or meet new workout buddies while exploring these options to help keep you coming back for more.
Break a sweat indoors to stay active until the temperatures rise and the parks begin to thaw. Remember, fitness is for life! Always talk to your doctor prior to beginning a new workout routine.
