Winter alternatives to running and outdoor exercise

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  • aerochic42
    aerochic42 Posts: 843 Member
    Love doing things outside in winter, but I agree about the cold rainy days (my least favorite weather is when it is raining at like 35-40F). It is hard to go out in that weather, as it seems a lot colder and it seems to seep into your bones. Many colleges have gyms taht you are probably already paying for. In addition to the online videos and workout videos, check out your library (maybe the town one instead of the college one) for free to cheap ones. Look at the local Y or community centers for activities, start swimming. Depending on your schedule, take a 'PE', dance, or martial arts class or join an active club/society, join an inter-mural team, or bowling league (low exercise, but still). Check with student services for other ideas. Oh so many possiblities
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Unless the snow is actually deep enough you can't run through it, put on another layer of clothes and run faster!

    Avoid icy conditions though - I tore the tendons in my shoulder landing after a slip while running on ice.
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    We are well below 0C here in the winter. Dress in layers and go outside. I run all winter long. There was less than a handful of days scheduled run days that I couldn't get out.

    I actually prefer it.
  • MCproptart
    MCproptart Posts: 92 Member
    Hi there,
    I have just the opposite--how to keep motivated and moving when it's too hot to be outside. It's been 112-115 F every day for the last week or so. Plus I'm working 10 or so hour days and commuting 1/2 hour on either end. BUT--if there's a will, there's a way, and I refuse to go to bed owing myself calories.

    Here are some things that I do when it's just too hot to be outside (even in the pool):
    1. Jog around the house. When I lived in the dorms back in college, I'd do a lap across one floor, go up or down a flight of stairs, do a lap across, another flight of stairs, etc.
    2. Wii Fit Exercises: I purchased the Wii Fit so that I'd have an at home recovery tool from brain surgery/loss of balance nerve. I have found that, when I'm loyal to dong the yoga/strength parts every day, I can really feel it in my core. It is not a calorie burning giant, but I miss it when I don't do it.
    3. Old fashioned calisthenics--remember back to all those warm-ups the gym teacher had to do before you could play the sport? Arm circles, push-ups/planks, sit ups, etc. Plus, if I'm watching a movie or something, I'll do the exercises from the Wii fit standing in the living room in front of the TV.
    4. Free fitness room: My apartment complex has a wee little fitness room: one weight machine, two elliptical machines, two treadmills, and a stationary bike. My knees don't like the elliptical machine, but the bike is an efficient calorie burner.

    Hope this gives you some good winter ideas. :)
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,292 Member
    I started running in February. As soon as temperatures went above 5C I was like "WTF it's getting way too hot"....
    We haven't had much rain this year (yet) but even that isn't as bad as you'd think. You might need an extra pair of running shoes though, to let the first one dry out properly...
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    "Too cold to run outside"???

    No such thing (unless you live in Antarctica) if you dress properly for it. Where I live it's hot in the summer (hit 40°C this year) and cold in the winter (-35° to -40°C during the coldest part of the year) and I run outdoors all year 'round.
  • pamelak5
    pamelak5 Posts: 327 Member
    I had the same problem when I lived in Michigan.

    1. Run outside, unless it is icy. Even running in the rain is just fine, just be careful to not slip on wet leaves.
    2. workout videos -d o it as soon as you wake up. Sleep in your workout clothes, DVD ready to go, shoes by your bed. You have to get dressed and ready for work/school anyway, so it really only adds the length of the workout into your day - no driving to the gym or whatever. That is how I managed tow ork out 5 days a week when I was in school!
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    I am looking forward to winter running. 0C is a great temperature. I've run down to almost 0F before.
  • Casey45
    Casey45 Posts: 160 Member
    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.

    This. We moved from Libya to Calgary two years ago. Talk about change in climate. Rather than staying in over my first winter, I dressed better and kept hiking outside. Secondary benefit, when you get outside a lot in the depths of winter, it's easier to feel warm inside the house. So keep up with the outdoor exercise when you can! It 's great!
  • PixEm
    PixEm Posts: 190 Member
    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.

    I live in Maryland too and want to run outside when it gets cooler. My problem is it really hurts to breath with the cold air. I was running outside until we had that 100 degree streak and then moved my workouts to the treadmill and my gym, which has an indoor track.
  • cestlafete
    cestlafete Posts: 71 Member
    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.

    I agree on the outside temperature part, but we get some really bitter cold air. How do you manage with that? It tears my throat/nose up once it gets ~40°F, I get hoarse and raw super-fast and can't bear to do it much more.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    When I was in college, my friends and I made great use of the facilities available to students. We played "wallyball" at least twice a week. If you drop by any of the gyms on campus, there is likely to be something going on most nights, even if it's a pick up basketball game. Swimming was also free to students during designated times. There are many club sport groups you can join too. i would contact your student activities director. There is probably an endless list.

    Also, I agree with what most people said about running outside. As long as it's not too icy and snowy, I go all winter long. Running in the freshly falling snow is one of the most exhilarating experiences ever!
  • kimad
    kimad Posts: 3,010 Member
    I was worried too when last winter came if I could keep up my exercise and weight loss routine, I decided for me the best idea was to get a gym membership -- believe it or not, I still use it :)

    If money is too tight for a membership, I would see if your school had a free one, or a swimming pool on campus.

    There are so good home workout DVD's, you will see alot of people on here use ' Insanity, Jillian Michaels (30 day shred, etc.) There is also alot of workouts for things like Wii if you have that.

    Good luck!

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