I prefer to exercise outdoors. As a runner, I loathe putting in miles on the “dread-mill.” Plus, staying indoors for long periods of time can make me a little stir-crazy.
But there are exceptions.
When the mercury dips below zero, the winds are howling or the streets are dangerously icy, I head inside, where I mix up my routine and try new things. This strategy helps me in two ways: It keeps me from getting bored (which, in turn, helps me stick to my fitness plan) and it prevents me from overdoing it in any one area. Having only one indoor routine is a fast track to overuse injuries and will surely drain your motivation. Consider these four options when exercising outdoors is unsafe or near impossible:
1. Find a nearby indoor studio or gym.
Many fitness facilities offer great money-saving deals in January, thanks to New Year’s resolutions. Not sure you want to commit? Ask for a guest pass to try out the equipment or a free pass to test out a class — almost all facilities offer these types of deals. The great thing about a studio is you have an entire group of people working out together, which typically increases both the fun factor and the motivation quotient. Most fitness centers — whether they’re larger gyms or small studios — offer great classes that focus on strength, aerobic fitness, flexibility or a combination of the three. So, there really is something for everyone.
2. Hit the local indoor pool.
Water workouts are wonderful for all levels of fitness. The water makes you buoyant and provides resistance, which helps your joints and makes for a quality workout. If doing laps isn’t you thing, try a water aerobics class — I promise it’s not just for grannies. The average 60-minute water aerobics class burns over 500 calories. And water-based classes go beyond water aerobics. There’s also aqua jogging, water Zumba and even aqua cycling. If you don’t feel comfortable in the water, take up swimming lessons; many facilities offer group and private lessons for all ages.
3. Act like a kid.
Channel you inner child and hit the local school gymnasium. Gather a group of friends to play basketball or indoor soccer. Grab your kids and teach them how to play floor hockey or dodgeball. If you prefer to exercise alone, you can still tailor a workout to meet your needs. Many gymnasium bleachers serve as a great substitute for a hill workout, or you can use the painted lines to do shuttle runs, a type of sprint workout.
4. Work out at home.
If you can’t leave the house, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. Even if you don’t have a home gym or any exercise equipment, it’s easy to maintain your fitness. If you have a house with stairs, for example, you can time yourself running up and down them while imagining you are climbing a skyscraper. Set a goal of how many floors you can climb.
You can also use your own body weight to achieve a vigorous strengthening program. Exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups and planks require no equipment and engage multiple muscle groups. If you need a bit more direction, you can download one of the thousands of great exercise videos online. There are videos in almost every genre of fitness, meaning you won’t have to subject yourself to the same workout day after day.
Good luck, and remember: Sunshine is just around the corner!
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4 Ways to Exercise When You’re Stuck Inside originally appeared on usnews.com
