Staying Fit When The Cold Weather Hits, Part One

Autumn will soon be upon us, and staying fit when the pre-winter chill descends will become a challenge for many people, for several reasons.

• The days are shorter, making outdoor workouts tricky for people who have day jobs.
• Many people dread walking or running in colder temperatures–and exercising in extreme cold can actually be dangerous to your health (I used to get bouts of pleurisy in the winter when I lived in my home state of Minnesota and exerted myself too much while outdoors).
• It’s just easier to snuggle under a blanket on the couch and read or watch T.V. as a frosty wind blows outside.

However, staying fit during the colder seasons is not only doable and important to your health, but can also be fun. And since your winter fitness routine may consist of exercises that use more of certain muscle groups than your outdoor routines, the commitment to maintain physical fitness during cold weather could enhance your overall strength and flexibility.

Indoor exercise equipment and fitness ideas abound. Today I will mention three of the most popular and heart-healthy ways to staying fit in cold weather. Next Thursday, in part two, I will bring up some other indoor fitness ideas that can help keep your fitness routine fresh and exciting.

Indoor fitness idea number one: the treadmill

Not an incredibly ingenius idea, but if you are a dedicated walker/runner/jogger and have a place for one in your house, this may be the perfect fit for you. (Well, even if you don’t have a place for one in your house, you can now buy treadmills that fold up). Until a few years ago, my husband had a state-of-the-art treadmill that had a bunch of different speeds, as many degrees of incline (to really burn off the calories), and would even figure out how many “miles” you’d gone and calories you’d spent.

Of course, you can save money and be greener by sticking with an “old-fashioned” non-electric treadmill.

Indoor fitness idea number two: the rebounder

Why rebound? Rebounding is a much gentler exercise than any aerobic exercise that’s done on a surface, as it doesn’t impact the various leg joints. Like all aerobic exercises, it strengthens your heart, improves circulation, and–due to its gentle rhythmic bounce–is a great stress reducer. Better yet–if you’re a weight-watcher–it can burn more calories than jogging.

Another great benefit to using a rebounder is that it cleanses the lymphatic system, which is the body’s waste system. The up and down movement helps to push the built-up toxins out of the lymph nodes and get flushed out of the body.

Indoor fitness idea number three: jump roping

You want to really give your heart a work out? Try jump roping for two minutes! (If you’ve been outside in the freezing cold jump roping will also warm you up in a hurry.) The only required equipment for this exercise is a jump rope, a mat on which to jump, and a decent pair of athletic shoes.

Jump roping not only gives you a great cardiovascular workout, but it also helps improve coordination and bone health.

See, you can stay in shape when the cold weather starts to hit! Be sure to check back next Thursday for even more great indoor fitness ideas.