Winter Workouts To Stay Active in Cold Weather

The thing is that it’s not that hard to motivate yourself to get up and work out when it’s sunny outside, but when the temperature drops and the wind is your enemy; It takes a lot of willpower to exercise when it’s chilly.

It can get hard to keep your eyes on your fitness goals especially once winter come rolling around. There’s a “bundle up” and hibernate mentality attached with the weather which, unfortunately, will not do wonders for your health and fitness.

We get it; Winter’s one of the most laid back seasons in which the most tempting thing is to just sit back with a cup of warm cocoa and watch TV. However, the cold weather brings problems when it comes to sustaining your fitness goals for the year.

The colder weather means that your choices of outdoor activities are limited. There’s almost no excuse for you to not go out and exercise under the sun during summer, but winter limits your options drastically.

Apart from outdoor activities, those with gym memberships will be having trouble as well. Since fitness centres are usually a walking or driving distance away, it will not be as accessible due to the iced out roads.

Even if the weather is colder, it’s not a reason for you to get lazier!

Why is it important to stay active even when it’s cold?

Regular physical activity is important because it won’t just make you look good, but it will help you live longer and healthier. Exercising during winter may actually provide more benefits for you!

We’ve rounded up the top reasons why it’s important to keep your body moving amidst the cold weather:

  1. Beating winter blues

There’s always a cloud of gloom looming over the horizon as the weather gets colder. Whether it’s the temperature, the lack of activity, or a combination of both: the usual winter blues are best prevented before it gets you down the whole season.

A daily workout will make sure that you get your release of endorphins that will make you feel-good throughout the day! Thanks to the chemicals serotonin and dopamine that are released after exercise, you’ll greatly boost your mood!

  1. Keeps up your fitness routine

You’ve probably been thinking of winter as the time when your physical activity becomes stagnant; Think again. It’s now more crucial to stick to your workout routine than ever!

If you’re able to grit your teeth and sweat amidst the colder temperature, then what’s stopping you during the more comfortable times of the year? Fitness programs usually have long-term plans that overlap with the changing of the seasons. You’re expected to keep up with it through sun and snow.

By sustaining your fitness plan in spite of the harsh weather, you’ll be even more motivated when it comes to warmer seasons! If you can survive cardio when it’s as chilly as winter time, then you’ll be unstoppable.

  1. Keeps you fit amidst holiday indulgence

Here’s the thing about winter holidays, it’s also the time when friends and family get together for a meal. We all know how irresistible holiday food can be!

Winter weight gain is very real, and comfort food is ready to tempt you from every corner of the room. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence, but when you go overboard then that’s when the problem starts.

Did you know that the average person puts on 4 kg as his or her winter weight gain? It’s not that surprising since the weather calls for a cuddly nap after a filling meal. However, the only way to combat that possible weight gain is to increase your activity level!

Try to balance out your meals with the amount of exercise you do for the day. By doing this, you’ll be able to both enjoy the holiday, and still look fit once the season’s over.

  1. Occupies your mind and body with activities

Just because you’ll be spending a lot of time indoors, doesn’t mean you have to be reaching for your remote and living in your couch the entire time.

Through fun and exciting exercises, you’ll be able to engage both your mind and body. The amazing thing about working out is that there is a wide variety of exercises you can choose from, and you can always spice things up with a new routine.

Break the habit of boring television and sleeping all day. Pick up a few dumbbells and put that body to work!

How can you stay active even during winter?

The temperature dropping is not an excuse to go into hibernation mode. In reality, there are some health advantages that only working out during this weather can bring!

For one thing, you won’t have to deal with heat or humidity. This means that your workouts may even last longer, helping you burn more calories! Apart from helping you with your exercises, working out with the cold weather boosts your immunity against colds and flu.

Don’t forget to warm up before doing any exercise to help your muscles get fired up and ready to take on your routine! Do a bit of light cardio and stretching before taking on our suggested workouts.

Here are some of the ways you can stay fit during winter:

  1. HIIT workouts

HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training, and it’s the perfect way to work up a sweat quickly. Through HIIT exercises, you’re constantly moving for quick periods of time and it’s a great source of cardio to get your blood pumping.

This is also perfect for battling winter weight gain as HIIT is great for boosting your metabolism!

  1. Weight training

Weight training is recommended for those who are normally active the rest of the year. Through this, you’ll be able to build on your strength in preparation for the heavier and more rigorous exercises in the coming months.

  1. Equipment cardio

Treadmills, rowing machines, and spin bikes: these are just some of the most engaging and full-body pieces of equipment you can have at home! Be sure to find one that you won’t get bored with so easily, and get ready to burn those calories.

  1. Indoor sports

If you enjoy the luxury of a huge home that can accommodate an indoor sport, then utilise it! Indoor sports are the perfect way to get up off your feet and bond with friends and family. Not only will you work up a sweat, you get to do it with your loved ones too!

Why investing in a simple home gym can work for you for winter and all year round

There’s truly no place like home, and why not consider investing in a home gym to reach your fitness goals?

A home gym is something that can benefit everyone in your household, and save you from a lot of trouble when you just don’t feel like working out.

We’ve listed some of the best reasons why you should definitely start a home gym:

  • Comfortable environment - Since you’re in the comfort of your own home, you don’t have to worry about being shy or feeling awkward because someone might be judging you.
  • Fits your schedule - Say goodbye to rushing to the gym to beat the closing time. By having your own fitness space in your house, you get to decide when you want to work out!
  • Saves money - Rather than a costly gym membership that you have to renew every year, you’ll only have to shell out for your home gym once!
  • Family involvement - Working out with other people is more fun, and you might even be more motivated if you have family members with you. This is a great way to make sure your whole family’s health is in check.
  • Customizable variety - The truth is, not everyone uses every piece of equipment in the gym. By designing your own fitness room, you get to pick out which ones will be targeting the areas of your body that you want to work out, and not have to spend money on unnecessary equipment.

What are the basic pieces of equipment you’ll need to workout at home during the winter?

While coming up with your own home gym may be fun, it can get overwhelming once you start to design and decide which pieces should be in it.

Not to worry! We’ve listed some of the gym essentials you shouldn’t miss:

  • Dumbbells
  • Cardio machine
  • Pull-up bar
  • Yoga mat
  • Jump Rope
  • Resistance bands
  • Heavy weights

Working out even with the cold weather keeps both your mind and your body in tip-top shape. It won’t just keep winter weight gain at bay, as it is also a great way to boost your immune system.

Exercising is essential for every season, but we understand that it’s nearly impossible or just plain troublesome to go outside. This is why a home gym is the best solution to keep your heart pumping even when you’re just indoors.

Keep your fitness goals in check this winter by investing in your own home gym! Flex Fitness Equipment has all the equipment you’ll need to be your own fitspiration. Check out our wide variety of workout selections to get you on track with your fitness goals.

 


Category: Motivation

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