Fitness Programs > Winterize Your Workout

It’s winter! People find it hard to keep in shape. However, maintaining an exercise routine should be a part of your lifestyle throughout the entire year. Here are our top ten ways to keep you motivated as the temperature drops!

Download Workout Sheet

1. Get out! Take advantage of the colder season by participating in activities you can only do this time of year, such as skiing, snowboarding, or ice-skating.
2. Stay in! If the weather is dreadful outside, stay motivated by introducing variety into your workouts. Try purchasing a new fitness toy, medicine ball, jump rope, exercise video, or stability ball.
3. Drink more then eggnog! Don’t forget about fluids! When exercising in cold weather, it’s harder to gauge your fluid loss, but it is still easy to become dehydrated. Fluid replacement is essential even in chilly weather!
4. Plan for indoor fitness. Rain and snow are not excuses from exercise. Plan ahead by finding an indoor location before you need it. This is a great time to window shop with 5-10 laps of your local mall.
5. Train for the summer. While basketball and swimming transfer easily to indoors venues, this is not true for all sports. If your favorite sport is golf or baseball, it may be harder to find winter opportunities to play. However, you can still keep in shape by choosing workouts that mimic motions used in your favorite sport to keep those muscles strong, flexible, and ready for spring.
6. Experiment with new and different indoor activities. Try yoga, aerobics, indoor rock climbing or Spinning. Do something you won’t do in the summer because it’s too nice to be inside.
7. Layer up but don’t overheat! Garments can then be removed and replaced as needed. The clothes next to your skin should absorb moisture and your outer layer should protect you from winds. Remember that your body will heat up and you don’t want to be uncomfortable.
8. Adapt your gear to indoor fitness. Don’t just change your location. If you change your workout conditions, you may need to change your shoes and other equipment as well. Try a trail running shoe to keep you from slipping and off your butt while you run.
9. Don’t forget your hat. Hats are important to keep body temperature stable. Hats prevent heat loss from the head and neck, which can account for as much as 50% of total heat loss when you’re outside.
10. Set a goal for the spring! Knowing you have a target to hit for the spring will keep you motivated throughout the winter.