Winter Workouts: Keep Fit When the Weather Turns Cool

As the weather turns cool, crisp, rainy, and snowy, it may be a challenge to find the motivation to keep fit. This is the time of year when fall and winter workouts require extra inspiration and a little imagination. 

Don’t let the weather sabotage your fitness! There are countless benefits to keeping up your winter fitness regime. Research reveals that exercising in the cold may burn fat quicker than more comfortable temperatures. 

Try these winter exercise ideas to stay in shape, even during the most dreadful conditions.

• Step by Step

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t go outdoors. For many, running never goes out of season. In the U.S. alone, more than 64 million people regularly engage in actively jogging or running for their workout. 

Having the proper footwear is essential for comfort, safety, and optimal results. To meet the challenges of jogging in harsh, unpredictable winter conditions, runners need specific footwear that is designed to keep their feet dry, warm, and visible.

If you prefer walking for fitness instead of running, you have a lot of company.  Walking is even more popular with nearly 110 million individuals participating in this activity annually.   

Some people walk for a purpose as well as to stay in shape.  For example, as a pet parent, you know you have to take your canine companion out every day. You can turn this activity into a winter exercise routine for both of you. Your dog will enjoy getting out of the house and you’ll experience the benefits of a daily walk as well.

Up the activity with a brisk hike. It’s one of the best ways to embrace the outdoors and get a cool weather workout at the same time. Choose proper boots that are comfortable, waterproof, and durable.

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• Move to the Beat

Music can make walking, running, or just about any workout easier. Refresh your playlist this Fall with music that has between 120 and 140 beats per minute. This is the sweet spot for boosting your performance, according to research. 

• Lace Up

Ice skating isn’t just for kids. If it’s too cold for outdoor skating, head to your local indoor rink to carve up the ice. Aside from being a super fun seasonal activity, skating tones the lower body while increasing balance and coordination. Even if you fall down a lot, ice skating as a winter exercise burns a high level of calories, keeping you in shape for the swimsuit season that will arrive sooner than you think.

• Indoor Classes

Spinning, weight lifting, rowing, and more are all available in indoor settings to keep winter fitness on track. Many gyms offer not only aerobic classes, but also boxing, yoga, group dance classes, and bootcamps. To participate in all these different activities, focus on a cross training footwear that can be used for a variety of classes and leave all your options open to trying a new activity.

Traditionally, many boot camps take place outdoors, but during the cooler months outside boot camps may be too uncomfortable. So, head indoors and try this challenging class format.  You’ll burn loads of calories, increase strength, and maintain a healthy weight, all while having a good time. Working out in a class environment is a great way to stay motivated because everyone is there for a common goal.

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• Proper Apparel

Whatever activity you choose, you’ll likely require new gear to help you get outdoors or into the gym. The proper apparel to face the colder temperatures is a necessity. By dressing correctly, you can create a micro-environment of comfort and protection around your body, making your winter exercise more enjoyable.

The layer closest to your body should be thin and made from a "wicking" material that draws moisture away from your skin so it can evaporate at the surface. The outer layer should shield you from the elements of the environment such as wind, rain or snow.

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• There’s No Place Like Home

When it’s cold and dark outside, home workouts offer an option to stay fit during ugly weather conditions by removing the obstacle of having to venture outside.  There are endless options from jumping rope, to DVD workouts, and trying an app. In fact, there are apps for almost any workout you can imagine.

One of the best is the free Nike Training App which offers over 100 workouts, along with visual guidance from experts for every move. Nike professionals offer plans to help you get fitter, faster and stronger than ever, no matter what your fitness level. This versatile app is perfect for cold weather since it demonstrates that you don’t need equipment or a gym membership to get in a killer workout.

Nike developed this app to work as a motivational tool by unlocking more workouts, trophies, and recipes as you log more hours. It can even create a personalized training plan based on your needs, then continually adapt it as you go.

Staying Fit

During the cooler months, it's easy to make excuses to stay indoors.  We understand that colder weather makes us want to hibernate, eat warm comfort foods, and binge watch that favorite series.

However, your body still needs exercise even when the weather is cold. Find a workout you look forward to each day. Don’t be afraid to change it up to keep yourself interested. Establish a routine that's manageable for you and try to find a buddy or training partner to hold you accountable for showing up to your winter workout. You’ll be glad you didn’t neglect your fitness when the warmer months reappear.