It can be tricky to figure out just how you can stay fit when there’s snow on the ground. In warmer weather, you could go outside and take advantage of the natural terrain. But now that it’s cold, a gym membership might sound more appealing.
However, gym memberships can be expensive, especially for those weeks when you don’t even touch the treadmill. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a gym membership to stay fit when the weather outside is frightful.
Here are four ways you can feel the burn without hurting your budget.
Take up an indoor group sport
There are plenty of local sports groups you can join for indoor exercise and community involvement. In fact, whether you’re interested in pickleball with its 2.46 million players worldwide or basketball with its 450 million players worldwide, here are some benefits of playing in group sports:
- Playing sports with other people increases long-term happiness
- Athletes who train with a team are healthier because you have teammates to rally around you
- Group sports make it easier to stick with your fitness goals because you’re a part of a team
Make your living room your temporary gym
Scoot some furniture out of the way to make your living space a temporary gym. You can manage a good cardio workout with just a few feet of room.
Here are a few indoor workout cardio activities you can do without any additional workout equipment:
- High knees and climbers
- Step-ups
- Burpees
- Jumping jacks
- Jumps and tap-backs
You can also take up aerobics indoors, dance, and yoga. Yoga alone has up to 36.7 million participants in the U.S. and it’s a great way to improve flexibility.
Use the right workout equipment and gear
You’ve seen joggers out there running across icy sidewalks, so you know that working outdoors in the winter is possible. But that doesn’t mean you can just go out, jog, and hope for the best.
Approximately 1 million Americans are injured on stairs every year and you will suffer an injury if you work out on the ice without the right equipment.
Common winter running gear includes running pants or tights, long-sleeve tech shirts, running gloves or mittens, headband or a hat, a windproof running jacket, and running socks. Winter running shoes that have weatherproof features are also incredibly important for running on snow and slick sidewalks.
Watch for hidden calories
Many people already know to be careful about what they eat during the winter season. Because it’s cold outside, you’re more likely to indulge in savory, warm foods. But just because you’re avoiding sugar cookies doesn’t mean you’re successfully avoiding winter calories.
Seasonal beers are designed with cold weather in mind with their dark, sweet flavors and notes of chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. Up to 84% of craft beer consumers like to choose their beer depending on the season.
It’s no problem to enjoy a drink every so often, but be careful that you’re not drinking too many beers in a given week. Not only can the calories add up, but the alcohol content can also damage your liver and heart over time.
It’s all too easy to fall out of your workout stride once the snow hits the ground. Cold weather and improper equipment can give you an excuse to give up your routine. But by following the tips above, you can stick to your fitness routine and keep your healthy lifestyle going strong all year-round.
No Comments yet!