Winter alternatives to running and outdoor exercise

ponywithhiccups

First time posting here I think you guys and girls will know best.

I recently (week and a half ago) started loosing weight and exercising again. It is going great and I don't want to stop when it gets too cold to rund and exercise outsine. I know if I stop I will be too lazy to start again in spring.
So here is the problem: I'm a college student. That means two things:
1. I will not have a lot of time when classes start again
2. I don't have enough money for gym memberships or something similar.

I'm sure you have some great suggestions for cheap/free indoor exercise
Thanks!

camrunner

How cold is too cold? Granted, I live in Maryland, which is temperate relative to a lot of places, but I can usually run outside most of the winter unless there's a substantial amount of snow on the ground. It doesn't take a ton of extra clothes to keep warm while running.

Vansy

Does your college have a gym facility on campus? <-- usually free to students.

Invest in work-out DVD's.
Find a cheap gym (students are often offered deals like $10/month, etc.).
Make up your own circuit routine to do at home (plyometrics, calisthenics, etc <-- all use body weight).

You should still have time when you're doing classes full-time, I'm sure you can spare 30-60 minutes, 4-5 days per week to exercise a bit. I was going to Graduate school full-time, working full-time, and I have two dogs to care for and I still managed to go run or work-out 4 or 5 days per week. Time management is key.

thebigcb

Define winter? How cold? How long?

metalvegan

If you have a smart device (phone, tablet, etc) start looking for fitness or workout apps. I have a ton on my kindle fire. YouTube has videos like 30 day shred, Tae bo, and yoga. And if you do want to spend a little money, check out the health and fitness section at your Target or Best Buy.

TexasRattlesnake

Move to Texas, lots of great schools... year round outdoor sports!

Edit to be more helpful: Find some exercise videos online (youtube or whatever) and do those indoors.

ponywithhiccups

From december to february it's usually below 0°C, difinetly too cold (and sometimes there is too much snow). In fall it is raining quite often too. Not the most pleasant weather

metalvegan

Bodyrock.Tv has really short videos too if you don't have much time.

catlady100

I loved exercising outside last winter. But I'm in Georgia and our cold is not that cold. You can go to collagevideo.com and refine search by fitness level, type of workout and get a few dvd options.

Mistyblu08

Live in MN and it gets cold but there are plenty of days for outside exercise....skiing, snowshoeing, walking down roads or snomobile trails with cleats on boots:), shoveling snow for elderly people down the lane.....or for inside...dvds so many out there to keep from getting bored...inside bike or elliptical....look on craigslist...they have them on there cheap enough....get some gf's over and have a dance party a couple times a week......anything to keep moving

chivalryder

Just dress properly and go outside! Why run away from the beauty that is winter! Embrace it! If you're running, your body produces a lot of heat. Just dress in light layers, wear water-wicking long underwear (to draw sweat away from your body) and something to protect yourself from the wind!

I once went out for a bike ride at 3 am in January. I believe it was at least -15C. It was one of the MOST fun experiences I've ever had!

The cold in the winter is no excuse to stay indoors, IMO!

ponywithhiccups

Thank you! Already some great ideas!

diadojikohei

Skipping (jump rope) it's free, you can do it indoors and burns lots of calories!

1Unsung1

Walk up and down your staircase, That's a great form of exercise, especially if your stairs are quite steep, and by that I mean walk all the way to the stop and then back down again and repeat
If you have stairs that is...

Melroxsox

i know its not an indoor exercise, but cross country skiing is a fabulous workout during the winter:) and so much fun!i live in michigan, so its good to embrace the smowy weather! lol im not a fan of indoor exercise so i try to get out as much as possible. i did invest in an elliptical, and that has been really nice for the days that i workout indoors. not very cheap, but a great investment for health. good luck! !!

sarahpell

Check out Zuzka on you tube, she is one of the founders of the Bodyrock movement and her exercises are always spot on and tough. :happy:

ALW65

As crazy as it sounds, snow shoveling is a fantastic workout - not much opportunity on campus but like someone mentioned you might be able to find someone to help who's elderly/handicapped and then you've accomplished two great things at once!

JenRLo

I bet you're going to be able to run outside longer than you think. I started running in October and didn't break down for the gym membership until March when it was too rainy. Granted, we had a mild winter. Running in the cold is really awesome and Christmas lights are so pretty to look at. It takes me longer to feel the burn when I run during the winter and the cold air feels good after running. Other than days it is snowing, most paths get cleared pretty well.

Add76

There are daily workout apps you can get which are good (e.g Daniel Miller Daily Ab workout etc).
You could easily fit using these into a busy schedule.
Resistance bands are not bad, They don't cost a fortune and are easy to carry around.

tadpole242

I'd say run out side, or buy a outdoor cycle and cycle. I cycle outside everyday, whether it's -10 degrees C raining or plus 30 degrees C. No such thing as bad weather, just poor choice of clothing.

speedyf

I don't know where you live, but I'm in Quebec, Canada, where the temperature very very very often goes down below -20C (-4F) during the winter, add to this a few feet of snow, and I'm out and running every day. And I LOVE IT! Actually, I'd rather run during the winter than any other time of the year. The cool (and very often very cold) weather helps me cover more miles/run longer. I went through two pairs of grippers last winter, so I bought another two for this winter.

I started to run last October, and I told myself that if I could run all winter long, I could accomplish anything. And I'm still here, and love running. I took a gym membership, but barely go there. I need to be outside.

If you can, snowshoeing is another great exercise and a great calorie killer for the winter.

deadbeatsummer

I would get some DVDs and follow a programme like Turbo Fire, 30DS, P90X etc.

Or if your super poor and a bit cheeky - there's a TORRENTial amount of free ways to get these things on the internet...:drinker:

stylistchik

Does your college have a gym facility on campus? <-- usually free to students.

Invest in work-out DVD's.
Find a cheap gym (students are often offered deals like $10/month, etc.).
Make up your own circuit routine to do at home (plyometrics, calisthenics, etc <-- all use body weight).

You should still have time when you're doing classes full-time, I'm sure you can spare 30-60 minutes, 4-5 days per week to exercise a bit. I was going to Graduate school full-time, working full-time, and I have two dogs to care for and I still managed to go run or work-out 4 or 5 days per week. Time management is key.

This. ^^^ If it's important, you will make time. I work 2 jobs, one of which is an hour commute each way AND I go to school full time. If I can work out, you can. I live in Virginia so it doesn't get SUPER cold here but I run outside all winter. The great thing about winter is you can bundle up, and as soon as you're moving it's warm. I grew up in Minnesota and knew people who ran outdoors year round, even 20 below zero. There are little treads you can put on your shoes to run on ice and layers to keep you warm. If it's important to you, you'll find a way.

HauteP1nk

I still run in the winter. I find running in the winter easier on my body then in the summer. I do not deal well with heat. You just have to learn to dress appropriately, and remember that once you start running your body increases about 10 degrees.

Google 'BODYROCK'!! Tons of free workout videos online.

As well, there are loads of other sites that offer free workouts - check out some of the top sites at the link below:
http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/10-best-workout-videos-youtube

Search 'ZWOW' on Youtube. She has some GREAT workouts.

DarthCeltic

hookers and blow.. simple really..

LorinaLynn

I live in Northeast PA, which is pretty cold in the winter, and greatly prefer running in the cold to running in the heat. When your'e running, it feels about 20 degrees warmer (F)... so that 0C will feel like 11C once you get moving.

keithgi

Does your college have a gym facility on campus? <-- usually free to students.

Invest in work-out DVD's.
Find a cheap gym (students are often offered deals like $10/month, etc.).
Make up your own circuit routine to do at home (plyometrics, calisthenics, etc <-- all use body weight).

You should still have time when you're doing classes full-time, I'm sure you can spare 30-60 minutes, 4-5 days per week to exercise a bit. I was going to Graduate school full-time, working full-time, and I have two dogs to care for and I still managed to go run or work-out 4 or 5 days per week. Time management is key.

^^^ this. When I was back in school I recorded my difficult classes. Time on the treadmill or elliptical is a great way to review the material and meet your exercise goals.

kellyemb

Don't stop runnning outside!!!! I love winter running! All you need is a really good pair of thermal running pants, thermal shirt, a running coat thats not too heavy, a hat and gloves and you're good to go!!!!! When all of my running friends told me this back when I started I thought they were crazy.... but.... I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sign up for a couple 5K's to keep you motivated!! The adrenaline rush you get and the sense of accomplishment is a great motivation!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

mcpherson4

First time posting here I think you guys and girls will know best.

I recently (week and a half ago) started loosing weight and exercising again. It is going great and I don't want to stop when it gets too cold to rund and exercise outsine. I know if I stop I will be too lazy to start again in spring.
So here is the problem: I'm a college student. That means two things:
1. I will not have a lot of time when classes start again
2. I don't have enough money for gym memberships or something similar.

I'm sure you have some great suggestions for cheap/free indoor exercise
Thanks!

How about your local YMCA? They have financial aid available. Just ask for an application. Worth your time. Best of luck in your journey.

Capt_Apollo

i run outdoors in the winter. long underwear for your legs and layers on top are key. if you keep your core warm, you can withstand the cold better. depending on how cold it is i wear a underarmour thermal, a longsleeved work out shirt over that, a vest, and a hat and a scarf.

make sure to drink plenty of water. little known fact, dehydration is actually more common in the winter, as people don't feel as thirsty, but your body is needing more water to help keep it warm.

running in the cold also burns more calories.

mandypizzle

Run when you can anyways! I live in Utah. It gets really cold and snowy. I can run still as long as the roads are not icy. They are for a couple of months which is frustrating. My main problem is not having enough light in the day to get out when my husband is home with the kids. Anyways, just try to get out there when you can before or after school. See if your school has a campus gym. It should be free! And get a good workout video to do at home. Or another great one is bodyrock.tv. They are free, short GOOD workouts!!