MY MEDALLION
With the weather getting colder, and the potential for slippery and snowy conditions just around the corner, your workout regimen will need a slight adjustment. Instead of allowing the winter to keep you from staying in shape, use these tips and tricks to bring your outdoor workout indoors this season, and stay fit all winter long!
Change Up Your Routine
Running long distances is great for burning calories when the weather is nice, but in the winter it can be dangerous with slippery conditions that can result in unwanted injuries. Bringing your workout indoors doesn’t mean that you no longer burn as many calories! Instead of running long distances, try high intensity interval training. This workout method combines fast paced exercises for short amounts of time, combined with rest periods between. The result is a shorter workout but the same amount of calories burned.
Join a Class
Motivating yourself to work out in the winter is more difficult and, when you can no longer do your routine outside, it might be tempting to let your fitness routine fall to the wayside. Avoid becoming inactive this winter by grabbing a friend and your water bottle, and join a class! Whether you dance away at a zumba session or you challenge yourselves at a crossfit class, joining together will give you that extra motivation to continue exercising throughout the winter months.
Join an Indoor Sports Team
Although the winter weather will cover up all the baseball, soccer, and sports fields, that does not mean the sports teams will stop for the season. Many clubs offer indoor options so you can continue to enjoy them year round. If you are feeling the winter workout blues, try joining an indoor league and see what happens!
Go Swimming
One of the best ways to get a winter workout is to head to your local pool and challenge yourself to swimming a few lengths. This low impact exercise has not only been proven to burn calories, but also beat winter blues, increase your lung capacity, and improve heart health! The low impact on your muscles also ensures that you are less likely to injure yourself during your workout, making it the perfect alternative to doing exercise outside in the winter.
Use a Workout App
Technology has made working out at home a simpler process, with easier motivation to continue your fitness regime throughout the winter months. Apps on smart phones have been created to help you reach all of your fitness goals. Whether you use the Strava App for your stationary bike, or the Runtastic Results App for a full body workout, using an app will help you keep your fitness routine going through the winter months.
The winter weather doesn’t need to be a reason to end your fitness routine. It simply means that you may need to make a few adjustments to it. Whether you use an app to guide your indoor workout or you join a fun and challenging class, taking your workout indoors is an easy way to ensure that you stay fit all winter long! For more ideas on taking your workout indoors, visit the Medallion Blog.
