As the winter blows in, it can be tempting to pull the blankets over your head and hibernate—or you can get out and enjoy cardio workouts for cold weather!
It’s essential to keep your body in motion to stay in shape and ready for when the snow melts. Working out boosts your immunity against cases of flu and colds, burns off the holiday weight most people inevitably gain, and promotes your mental health.
Don’t let your fitness and health routine be disrupted when the temperature drops. In fact, working out in the cold has many benefits and advantages to sweating it out in the summer. If the icy conditions and chilly wind are too great to overcome, you can find indoor workout alternatives to keep you cozy and warm.
We offer a few tips for working out when the weather seems chilly.
Yoga
Yoga is a relaxing physical activity that you can do anytime, anywhere. Some practitioners enjoy doing yoga in the morning to warm up for the day, while others prefer to do it during the day or to slow the day down in the evening.
Beginners have many resources online, and there are many free videos or online classes to help you get started.
During the dead of winter, you might want to hit a hot studio to give you an hour-long reprieve from the icy winter air.
Alternatives to Running
Runners don’t have to forego runner’s high during frosty months. If you don’t want to head outdoors to get your heart pumping, try some indoor cardio workouts, including:
- Jumping jacks
- Stairs
- Jump rope
- Burpees
- Mountain climbers
- High knees
Play Around With Your Kids or Pets
If you’re experiencing cabin fever, chances are your children and pets also feel stir crazy. Get your cardio in while entertaining each other with fun games like hide-and-seek, wrestling, tag, and more.
If you’re indoors, make sure to move the furniture around to prevent spills.
Calisthenics
Calisthenics are exercises you do using just your body, which means you don’t have to buy special workout equipment or even go to the gym. You can perform these exercises throughout winter in the comfort of your own home.
- Crunches
- Push-ups
- Squats
- Lunges
- Leg lifts
- Chair dips
- Planks
- Calf raises
As you can see, many of these activities don’t require any fancy equipment or even gym memberships.
Anyone can squat, do a plank, jump rope and more from home to get their heart rate up and blood flowing. Many of these workouts can be done anywhere with very little equipment, and you don’t need a whole lot of space.
There are many workout plans online that you can follow, including videos and online classes. It’s vital that you understand the correct form as you start so you get the most out of your workouts.
Find the Right Indoor Cardio Workouts for Cold Weather
Almost any workout that you can do outdoors has an indoor alternative. If you can’t motivate yourself in your home, you can always set a routine by going to the gym. If you love biking, you might be interested in cycling classes. If you like to run, you can continue doing cardio on treadmills.
Whether you decide to go on a lovely hike or jog around the neighborhood, being outside always feels great. But during the dead of winter, the best option can be working out indoors. Try our indoor cardio workouts for cold weather ideas if you don’t want to risk driving in the snow or going outside!
You don’t have to risk frostbite to stay healthy during winter.
Interested in more winter workout ideas? Check these out!
