Workout Ideas to Get Through the Winter
With the cold months of winter quickly approaching, many people tend to drop their fitness regimen due to a lack of convenience. Let’s face it, running outside in the cold, snowy weather is not always fun. The good news is, you do not have to slack on your workout routine during wintry season. There are plenty of ways to stay in shape through the long days of winter if you prepare now.
Winter workout ideas
Get Involved in Winter Outdoor Sports
Sports are one of the most fun ways to stay in shape year-round, and winter is no exception.
There are plenty of winter sports to choose from. Most everyone will find something to love or at least try. When you think of winter sports, you probably think of skiing or snowboarding. Both activities are fun winter workouts.
Other than the incredible core and leg strength, plus strong cardio, you will gain a sense of freedom and bliss while being able to take in the amazing views available on every mountain. The best part is the ski lift. It is like a mandatory rest time built into every “workout.”
Skiing and snowboarding are not the only winter sports, however. Snowshoeing is a fantastic way to burn calories and enjoy the majestic winter wonderland around you. Figure skating and ice hockey are also wonderful choices. Most ice rinks offer beginner-level classes for adults. If you have one, you may want to wear your best-heated jacket. Rinks aren’t typically terribly cold, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Give Indoor Sports Centers a Try
Think you will miss playing your favorite sport during the winter? Think again. Most sports can be played inside gyms or other indoor arenas. Many of them have a faster pace than their outdoor counterparts, as indoor arenas are often quite a bit smaller.
Indoor volleyball and soccer are great workouts for your legs, and the cardio workout will keep your body on pace to rejoin the outdoor sports teams come springtime.
Racquetball and tennis are also played indoors and will give your level of fitness a run for its money with the amount of running you can do during a game. The best part about indoor sports is playing within a climate-controlled room. You won’t be melting under the sweltering summer sun when you play indoor sports during the winter.
Become a Child Again
Have you ever run on the beach? Did you notice how much harder it is to run there as opposed to on pavement or grass? The reason is that your feet and legs sink lower and must come up higher with each stride. Running in the snow is not recommended, as you could slip on a patch of ice and seriously hurt yourself. Instead of running, try playing! Building a snowman can burn serious calories, and be a weightlifting workout at the same time.
Throwing snowballs can be thought of as throwing cold-weather medicine balls. Even just walking around in deep snow burns more calories than regular walking. The biggest advantage to this workout is that it is fun, and does not need to follow any structure.
Stay Cozy at Home
Staying fit in the winter doesn’t necessarily mean having to do winter-based activities.
One of the most reliable ways to exercise in the winter is to stay in your home and try body weight exercises.
You can create a routine involving pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, bridges, and even handstands (against the wall, to prevent injury, of course).
You can also try pulling out your old workout tapes and follow along with those. If you are looking for even more ways to incorporate cardio, you can avoid elevators altogether and take the stairs when they are available. Plus, you can always try home workout equipment like weight towers, dumbbells, treadmills, and cross trainers (read more about cross-trainers).
Wrap-Up
As you can see, staying fit in the winter is not all that hard.
In fact, winter workout ideas can sometimes be more fun than during any other time of the year.
Updated 5/7/18
