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With the temperatures plummeting this time of year, it's natural that most of us tend to slow down during the colder season.
But just because it is cold outside doesn't make it open season for an excuse not to exercise. There are multiple exercise options one can choose to participate in regardless of what the outdoor thermometer reads.
Check out the following Winter Warmer exercise tips to help you keep moving during the cold:
Break up your cardio workout. Separate your workout into 5-minute segments, each with a different focus - speed, incline, resistance, steady state, etc. This is a great example of interval training. By changing your workout every five minutes, you get variety and, because you're focusing on 5 minutes at a time, the workout will fly by.
Make a medley. Instead of getting on the same cardio machine every time, pick 3 different machines and workout on each one for 10 or so minutes.
Be creative. Look around the gym and see if there are other ways to get in your cardio. Look for a space where you could jump rope or try fitting in your strength training exercise in between. Walk on the treadmill and then do a circuit of push-ups, squats and sit-ups. Look for different things you can do to break up your usual routine and add excitement.
Try something new. We all have our favourite machines - the machines we gravitate to every time we go to the gym. Winter is a great time to experiment with something completely different. Challenge yourself with a machine you've never used before - the rowing machine, stepper, cross trainer, recumbinant bike... anything new and different.
Try group training. Even if you're not into group training classes, giving one a try can give you new enthusiasm for your workouts. Pick up a copy of this month's timetable and make a deal to try one new class every two weeks. You pick up energy when you workout in a group setting - take advantage of it.
Exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing especially if your energy is flagging during the colder months. But, believe it or not, movement generates energy so now is the perfect time to get busy. By staying fit during winter you'll be able to avoid gaining weight, have a head start on swimsuit season, and avoid losing strength and stamina caused from inactivity.
Keep reminding yourself that spring will be here before you know it. Hang in there and keep moving! |