cardio indoors - why?

I am the victim of a viscous attack two years ago, on my apartment complex

Yikes!!!! I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully no long term damage/injuries?

I am a very lucky girl! I have no permanent physical injuries (just a 4cm long scar on my head, under my hair).
The mental injury is something I live with everyday (some harder than others). It's changed me in ways no one will understand, unless they too have had the experience. Although, my overall awareness of my environment and the people around me has changed. I am an advocate for being aware of "life" now, and will tell my story over and over again, to hopefully help someone someday.

People do not realize the things they do and say throughout each day, that could put them in a bad spot. They also do not realize the things other people do and say throughout the day...most are routinely complacent like I used to be.

Anyways, once again....I run inside because for me I can run with ease of mind.

I live in South Louisiana. It is hot as hell, even in the evenings. As far as hiking goes, I would LOVE to, IF we had anywhere do do such a thing. I would love to do all of my workouts outdoors, but that is not always possible. I am not taking my child out in the heat either. If I want until it cools off enough to get out there, it is dark and not always the safest option. During the day, we are under extreme heat advisories. I work outdoors 1/2 of the time as an environmental consultant. Sometime I don't want to go back out in that heat. It is miserable, and unsafe at times as well.

I don't see a problem with doing a cardio exercise indoors. I have a home gym with a bow-flex, elliptical, stationary bike, ab machine, as well as enough floor space to do cardio DVDs. It works. I get a great work out, and can stay healthy. It isn't always about preferences, but more like options. Yes, I could get up and get a run in at 5 am before it gets hot. But, is it really all that convenient to wake up my child to do so? Nope, I can just as easily get as good of a burn indoors.

I think that it is great that you live in an area that is beautiful outside, and are fortunate enough to be able to spend time out there. Some of us are not so lucky. I vacation in North Carolina for a week or two each year, and go mountain climbing, caving, and hiking. That is what I think of when I am indoors. Not the TV

Summer holidays right now and looking after my children all day so can't get out for a run or anything like that. When they're at school I try to run on my local beach and woods, which of course, is way nicer.

Obviously I still go out for walks with the kids and dogs but it's not exactly a major calorie burner.

I lived in Brookly, NY for a couple of years and I remember all the runners (I lived near the East river) whatever the weather running through anything but blizzard conditions! I was always impressed - but never tempted to join them until after about the end of March

If I lived in upstate NY I would be outside.
I live in Texas, it's 110 not including the heat index. As much as I'd enjoy a side of heat stroke with my cardio I don't like hospital bills.

I'm assuming the original post was more or less geared to people that live in places that are not hot as hell right now.

^^^^THIS! I don't particularly care to run outside when it is 100+ degrees, plus humidity. Sure, I enjoy the fresh air/sunshine, but you've also got to be smart about it. I don't want to get up at 4:45 AM to run outside before work, and in south-central TX, it is still 97 degrees at 9:00 PM. SO >>>>> don't really have much choice here in the summer!

I find being in a gym keeps me motivated. It might sound silly and/or vain, but if I know people are watching me (I know they're not, but in my head they are xD) then I don't want to look like I'm slacking off or leaving early. I know, I know -- that's stupid, but hey, it keeps me going! Plus, it's really convenient that all the equipment tracks my time, distance, speed, heart rate, calories burned, etc. Plus, I'm not a big fan of heat or humidity.
I think if people are just more comfortable doing cardio inside, it's their decision. Don't attack someone just because they have different preferences. It's a hell of a lot better than not working out at all.

I agree with OP, but different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Was previously living in the far Canadian north (and yes, it gets hot and sweaty in the summer!); it's fairly unsafe to go out alone in the summer as well, due to wildlife and err, local "social problems". Currently living in the Canadian prairies - less insanely cold in winter but more ice storms, and way more heat and humidity in the summer. Plus lightening storms several times a week, which aren't outdoor-play friendly.

(And I'm a girl from the active west coast, used to hiking and biking in the mountains in torrential downpours)

Hey! I'm CURRENTLY in the Canadian north! Totally understand the 'social problems' that you are referring to. Lol.

:drinker: Cheers, mate! Glad you got yourself out of there!

Because that is YOUR personal preference. I agree, I love running outside. I can no longer stand the treadmill. In fact, I haven’t been to my gym in quite a while. I’ve resorted to doing Insanity & jogging instead. However, some people are not comfortable exercising outside. People post all the time about their fear and anxiety of running outdoors. To each their own. :drinker:

I am a single mother with 2 small children. One who just turned 2 who is in a stroller and one who is 3 not in a stroller. I would love to go for a jog but that simply isn't possible. The only time I can get time to workout is after lunch when their both having a nap. Everyone has their reasons. If your doing anything to improve your overall health then I think is good enough reason to be proud and there is nothing wrong with that. One should not criticize people for where they workout, as long as they are moving that's all that counts!

Because I live in Florida and it is hot as hell outside. I love to run outside, but I can't really do that in the summer without passing out. I can't wait for cooler weather!

I live in the south west united states- its either FREAKING HOT outside (unless its early morning) or REALLY COLD. We have about 4 months of nice weather every year.
I'd love to do out door things more, but that usually isn't the case.

The gym has child care. My house has child care (me). Both are much easier options than finding a babysitter to get a run in (not to mention I can't run because of an injury). Oh, and we have triple-digit weather for most of the day and well into the evening.

Lately I have been doing cardio indoors rather than outdoors because I have an injured knee and the lower impact activities are much more forgiving than running, which is my passion. Sometimes I run on the treadmill because it doesn't hurt as much as outside though. Also, a nice thing is that you can get your whole workout in the gym including strength training, core and cardio. I do like to do workouts outside as well, but I do think it is nice to switch it up sometimes when I get sick of running outside, I go to the gym and do other stuff.

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.

hm... when it's 112 degrees outside... I'm gonna stick with working out indoors... thanks... but also, I travel a lot for work so most of my workouts are in hotels... I'm not about to get out and run in some place I don't know very well...

Oh, and also... I love Insanity and p90x and listing weights so.... I'm gonna do them. I hate running....