cardio indoors - why?

I see all these posts about people doing various at home cardio DVDs (Jillian, insanity, whatever), or spending all this time on machines at the gym. I work at a gym and watch people line up for the cardio equipment on days when if FREAKING BEAUTIFUL outside.

Why?

If you're one of those people, why would you rather be inside in front of a TV or on an eliptical rather than being outside, getting some sun and fresh air? Why would you rather be on a treadmill than out running? Why would you rather be on an eliptical or a stepper rather than hiking? Why would you rather be on an exercise bike rather than an actual bike?

I'm not criticizing, just something I have never understood. I live in upstate NY where we have a pretty cold/snowy winter (yes, not as cold and snowy as some of you, but...) and I'd rather be outside running or biking in February than be inside on a treadmill or my trainer.

I do a healthy mix of outside cardio and inside workouts. The reason is that sometimes, you want that structured inside cardio, rather than just running, you want the jumping and stuff that Insanity offers. Other days though, it's just a nice day and I'll go for a hike, play tennis, run, bike, or go sailing. My new thing is running on the beach. It's really nice.

I agree with you, I don't don't think people think about it much. Some people have told me that if they go home after work, that's it. They won't do it. So, instead, they stop at the gym. I knew one guy for a gym I used to go to, that would stop at the gym after work and then go for a run outside, then come back to the gym afterwards and shower and all that and then go home. I know a woman that does that at our gym at work. Before going home, she goes to the gym, changes, goes for a run, showers, then goes home.

Idk, different strokes.

Sometimes I wish I lived Ina more rural hilly area so I could really get great outside workouts. It's very flat where I live. So, running is easy. But, I wish there was more challenging terrain. The hiking trains are at least an hour away.

But, when the time changes back, I can no longer run at night. I live in a very nice area, but it neighbors slums. And, when it gets dark, a long run away from my home can be fatal.

It's hot as Hades, so why take a chance on heat stroke?

I live in Scotland. Its either wet, cold, cold and wet, dark, snowing, snowing cold and dark, or really darm busy because its the Festival season in Edinburgh and the pavements are slammed with tourists.

Also, my thighs (tops of, and *kitten*) are a bit large so move around alot and im a bit concious of it.

Well not everyone lives in an area where it is sunny and 75 every day all year round. I personally have a hard time running in high heat and humidity and get in a much better workout on a treadmill. The other half of the year there is snow and ice on the ground because only half of the people around me feel the need to shovel their sidewalks, I don't mind a little cold but I don't want to crack my head open. Also, I lift weights so I'm at the gym anyway.

But trust me, during the five days out of the year when it's actually nice out, you can bet I'm outside running.

Allergies and severe ones at that... I work out at home.

But before I became fluffy (I was unfluffy at one point) I used to always work out outside.

It's 110 degrees F where I live! Sorry, but this is a pretty rude question. what's it to you what other people do!!!???

Have you seen what I look like when I workout?? Enough said! :laugh:

toddler napping. cant leave the house. good enough?

Sometimes I use the treadmill because it's a lot easier to do interval sessions on it. I can see exactly how fast I am going so I don't just think I am sprinting and giving my all when I'm not. Also I have asthma and the humidity is killer.

As far as the DVDs go, some people just don't like running or repetitive motion. It changes things up and incorporates a variety of moves in to target different muscles while keeping your HR up. I don't see anything wrong with it.

105 here yesterday, and we have this thing called a heat index that put it at 112. They actually tell people to stay inside when it's like that. I know it's hard for northerners to understand, but people in the US actually die from the heat sometimes.

Sometimes I use the treadmill because it's a lot easier to do interval sessions on it. I can see exactly how fast I am going so I don't just think I am sprinting and giving my all when I'm not. Also I have asthma and the humidity is killer.

FWIW, *real* intervals are harder on treadmills because of the time it takes to speed up and slow down the belt. True intervals should have no delay between the 2 intensities. Speaking of intensity, that's what intervals are about, so technically speed doesn't matter, effort does.

Oh I guess what I've been doing is fake intervals, damn!

I also can't adjust the incline of the pavement.

"FWIW" I run outside about 3x a week

Sorry, bad choice of wording... didn't mean to imply that you weren't working, only that interval workouts are designed to be high/low intensity repetitions with no rest/hesitation between. So a treadmill is not only not necessary, it makes for a less efficient interval workout.

The time on my treadmill to switch intensities is virtually nothing. I mean it's really almost instant if I adjust the incline before switching speeds. But let's not confuse interval with HIIT - that I do a completely different way. This is just interval, I go from low/mid/high (not in that progression) and repeat for a good long while. If it's not as efficient as it could be I would never know because the results have been pretty mindblowing enough for me

Yes, I think it was a bit rude too. Don't judge others when you know nothing about them or why they're doing what they're doing.

At the moment it is because the humidity is so thick it feels like you are drinking the air not breathing it. Not to mention the issue of a safe place outside to do this. I'm hoping that fall and spring bring some good, get outside weather.

Same here!!! Virginia has disgusting humidity on top of 100+ temperatures... and lately it has been known to begin raining at any moment... not great outside conditions to be running in... Richmond is the worst for weather, because of its location.

In the fall will be a different story, but for now, I would much rather be inside the gym.