Working Out Indoors Is Easier Than You Think!
For many in America, February is one of the coldest months of the year, which also means that this might be one of the most difficult months to find the motivation to work out, especially when you can’t get outside. The cold weather may really get you down, especially if you’re an outdoors person. And it can wreak havoc with your exercise routine when you are used to going outside and enjoying the good weather.
Spring is just around the corner, but to help you get through the next several weeks, we want to share some great ideas to help you stay in shape during the harsh weeks of February. These eight fun and easy ways to integrate exercise into your daily routine will help you get a good workout inside and will keep you from getting off track during these cold winter months. Try one or all!
- Join a gym
While this may seem like an obvious alternative to outdoor exercise, it may not have been something you immediately thought about or even desired during warmer months. The ellipticals, exercise bikes, and treadmills are great replacements for jogging or biking outside. And you won’t slip on the ice and snow!
- Find an online exercise routine.
There are lots of great apps that will plan a workout for you at home and that require minimal equipment. They will even help you change routines regularly so that you don’t get bored. Many of these apps offer free trials, so you can determine which works best for you.
- Add exercises like squats, jumping jacks, or pushups to your day.
Don’t have equipment or the desire to get any? No worries! These exercises can be done without a trip to your local fitness store. Squats are a great way to strengthen your legs. Jumping jacks burn calories, and pushups strengthen your upper body, your core, and your legs. Incorporate these into your routine several times a day to get bursts of energy and to keep your muscles from stagnating.
- Grab some weights and an exercise (or resistance) band.
These awesome and inexpensive pieces of equipment are useful to have no matter where and how often you work out. Weights are beneficial for all body types. Not only do they help manage your body weight, but they strengthen your bones. And an exercise band will help strengthen and build muscles in your legs, your arms, and even your abs. They are portable and can be easily taken anywhere!
- Learn an indoor sport.
Lots of community recreation centers will have indoor courts for basketball, racquetball, or even tennis. Grab a few friends, a ball, and head on over. You may even make some new friends!
- Find an indoor swimming pool.
Swimming offers numerous health benefits. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Swimmers have about half the risk of death compared with inactive people. People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land. They can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or joint or muscle pain.” This is great news! Plus, studies have found that swimming helps people with arthritis and other diseases of the joints, like fibromyalgia, and it improves mental health as well.
- Do laps around your house and walk up and down the stairs.
This may not seem like a lot of fun, but anytime you get up and move, you reap the benefits. You burn a few calories, and you train your body to look forward to moving. Plus you break the cycle of remaining sedentary for long periods. If you work from home, set a regular timer to get up from your desk or to take a 5-10-minute break, and walk briskly around the house, going up and down any stairs several times. Incorporate this with some of the other suggestions here for a great full-body workout!
- Jump rope in your basement or garage.
Did you know that jumping rope has many incredible benefits? Not only is it a great way to get your heart pumping, but it improves coordination, improves your heart health, strengthens your bone density (which is especially important as we age!), and helps boost your mood and reduce stress.
We know that the winter months can be a drag, but that doesn’t mean you have to allow them to get you down or to halt your exercise routine when you can’t get outside. Follow these easy steps to keep your body in shape as you await warmer weather.
