The winters here in Madison County are long and bitterly cold, and it’s usually a challenge for most to stay fit. The days are short, and daylight doesn’t seem to last long enough. So what can you do to keep your fitness levels up during Rexburg’s seemingly longest season?
How about some indoor exercise ideas to keep you motivated and fit all winter long? Give these indoor exercise ideas a try, and you may even improve your fitness this winter:
Get a yoga mat and practice yoga.
Most people think yoga just means stretching, but yoga can also be a vigorous workout if you practice challenging poses or do a vinyasa flow. Try starting with 20 minutes of continuous yoga and work your way up to a 90-minute session. Your body and your mind will both benefit.
Do HIIT training.
HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training and it’s exactly what it sounds like: short bursts of high intensity exercise with rest in between. You can run in place, do jumping jacks, burpees, lunges, and so much more. Set a timer for 30 seconds and try to go all out for 30 then recover for 30. Repeat five or more times to get drenched.
Lift weights.
You can train with a few sets of dumbbells or kettlebells at home. You don’t need a full gym’s worth of equipment. With just a couple good-size dumbells, you are set. Simple moves that work major muscles include squats, rows, chest presses, shoulder presses, and dead lifts. If you are new to weights, there are many books or phone apps that can guide you.
Get on a treadmill.
Yes, we all know the good ol’ “dread” mill, but it can be a great training tool when it’s too cold to run outside. The benefits of running indoors include: it’s safer, it has less impact on the joints, controlled speed and time can optimize training, and you can watch your favorite TV show.
Try TRX.
TRX is another great workout you can do anywhere. Just attach the straps to a stable base and you have infinite possibilities for workouts. They can be a great cross-training tool to improve muscle stabilization and recruitment.
Use workout videos.
There are thousands of workout videos available to help you train. Check out Youtube for many free versions or purchase a series of DVDs such as Insanity or P90X. You can also find pilates, yoga, cycling, and many more workouts to choose from. With so many choices you’ll never get bored.
Dance it up!
Have a dance party or Zumba your way into shape. Dancing is a great form of exercise and is super fun. Just throw on your favorite tunes and get shaking.
With so many choices to workout indoors, you’ll be set all winter. Keep it fun and don’t be afraid to experiment with new things. You may find a new favorite exercise!