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Best Winter Workout Ideas to Stay Fit Indoors and Beat the Cold
Winter Workout Ideas are crucial when cold temperatures limit outdoor activities and reduce motivation. Staying active indoors helps maintain energy, strengthen immunity, and boost mental health during dark, chilly months. Indoor fitness routines also improve flexibility, prevent winter weight gain, and keep you consistent with healthy lifestyle goals year-round. ❄️ Why Winter Workout Ideas…
Cold Weather Cycling Tips
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Five Fun and Social Ways to Exercise When It's Cold
Five Fun and Social Ways to Exercise When It’s Cold
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Hypothermia may go unnoticed when exercising in the cold
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With August temps being what they are, there is little chance of losing body heat while exercising. For those of us in four season areas, however, exercising in the cold presents some interesting challenges. In a study published this month in Physiology & Behavior, research teams at the University of Tsukuba, led by Takeshi Nishiyasu, and at Niigata University of Health and Welfare, led by…
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4 Tips for staying healthy this winter
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Some tips for biking (or any exercise) in cold weather ...
Some tips for biking (or any exercise) in cold weather …
“The hawk is back.” That’s what we Chicagoans say when temperatures turn cold here. I woke up to 20F degrees the other morning. The second week in November is a bit early for such temps, but if you want to ride your bike, you deal with it. By the way, when temps fall to sub zero, the expression here is, “The hawk is back … and he brought his whole damn family.”
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Shifting Gears: A Guide for Seasonal Cross-Over Workouts
Many DYF clients cherish time exercising outside while taking in Mother Nature’s gorgeous landscapes and vistas! Whether that means lacing up those sneakers to run steps near the James J. Hill House, toting the SUP to Lake Phalen or saddling up the bike for a river ride – the great outdoors in Minnesota does not disappoint.
With the seasonal shift from fall to winter, how should an outdoor enthusiast adjust their regimen and move those regular work outs in? Suzy Levi, Wellness Guru and DYF owner, offers her personal training pointers during this transitional time:
Q: As you move from an outdoor- to-indoor exercise schedule, what is your top tip for physical wellness during this transition?
A: Vary your workout routine by adding strength, stretching and cardio each week. Studies have shown that cross training and switching up your exercise schedule will improve your performance in your sports as well as everyday life activities! Cross training also serves as a boredom buster, especially if you love exercising outdoors. Every few weeks try a new class or type of workout to keep your body from reaching a plateau.
Q: How about mentally…can this time of year take a toll on people's psyche.
Yes. The seasonal switch can be tough on individuals given the drop in temps, the snow and the diminishing amount of daylight. Try a group exercise class with like-minded, hard-working fitness fans. Soaking up the good energy from those around you, even being a support to others and recognizing their wins, offers up a mental boost.
Q: Hmmm...that's a sound idea and sometimes I like working out with friends. But I get bored with indoor fitness.
If the outdoors is your exercise utopia, feeling confined to the indoors of a studio or home gym can be claustrophobic and may feel mundane. Here’s the trick: mix up your workout schedule!
First, take advantage of the bearable winter days when the temps are warmer and the skies are blue, be sure to get out for a walk, run, cross-country ski, ice-skate or snowshoe! Then, sprinkle in something new to keep things fresh. For example, DYF has a healthy date night schedule monthly in the winter. Watch for fliers at the studio and treat your bestie, spouse or favorite workout bud to one of these partner classes
Next, expand your wellness horizons. Never tried a mat Pilates class? Stretch your boundaries and your spine! Curious what a barre workout entails? Promenade over to a ballet barre and zero in on those hard-to-find muscles with beneficial isolation work. Here is a list of classes at DYF and a quick snippet on the benefits. Come and give them a try:
Pilates Mat & Reformer: Pilates is best described in three words: Strength, Stretch and Control. By doing Pilates two to three times a week you will improve your strength and help you discover smaller muscles you never even knew you had! Pilates stretches your muscles and realigns your body. Thus, your muscles will lengthen and function more efficiently, your joints will feel great, and your spine will become more flexible. With improved strength and flexibility, you will have greater control of your muscles, joints and the overall body. We offer many varieties of Pilates classes at the Studio. Both on the mat and large equipment classes (Reformer, Spine Corrector, Tower).
Yoga: Yoga is great for slowing down and noticing what's going on with your mind and body. The breathing will soothe and relax you, while the postures stretch your muscles and improve your flexibility and function. Performing Yoga on a regular basis will improve your posture and range of motion. Check out our offerings at the studio!
HIIT: Combine cardio with strength and you get a HIIT workout, which stands for High Intensity Interval Training. If you are short on time, HIIT is for you. The exercises will elevate your heart rate and test your strength. It’s a fantastic format to add 1-2 times a week. Bonus: no HIIT class is ever the same!
Strength: Adding strength workouts to your routine will improve your running, cycling, walking, and even your everyday living activities. The focus is on strengthening your muscles, and the exercises also increase bone density, which is important at any age! This workout uses dumbbells, medicine balls, tubing, and more.
Spin: This amazing cardio workout is easy on the joints. You can maintain the benefits of an intense aerobic session without pounding on your joints and you’re able to train hard without overdoing it on your body. Spin classes usually have great music which will groove your soul too!
Q: Are there ways to be efficient with fall & winter cross-training workouts?
Yes! That is a great question. First, maximize your time at the studio by taking back-to-back sessions that complement your fitness goals. For example, we offer a 60-minute Spin/Strength class where you get a great cardio boost on the indoor bike paired with a healthy dose of strength training. Also, schedule a week's worth of workouts in advance. Based on other commitments, reserve time for you. Slot exercise into your calendar, just like you would for appointments or meetings. If you have the time reserved, you're more likely to do it!
Have a question for Suzy, our very own Defining You Wellness Guru? Please submit your curious query or creative ideas for upcoming columns by emailing [email protected].
*Here’s to Your Health! blog column co-authored by Suzy Levi and Kim Harbinson.
