Cardio during the harsh cold months of winter

nsprague1991
nsprague1991 Posts: 1 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
After an abrupt start to our New England winter I've been forced inside for cardio.

Aside from the usual treadmill/stationary bike, what do you guys do to keep up with cardio during the winter?
«1

Replies

  • ptsmiles
    ptsmiles Posts: 511 Member
    I have a couple of Beachbody workout dvd's, Zumba is fun too. I used to youtube a lot of cardio workouts as well. We were pretty spoiled here in NE for awhile with the warmer weather.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    my cardio generally drops off somewhat during the winter. i'm a cyclist and prefer to ride outdoors and do ride on nicer days, but not to the extent that i do during the warmer months...though i did receive some better winter riding gear for christmas this year so that should put me on the road a little more going forward.

    when i can't ride i pretty much just force myself to get into the gym a few days a week and spend an hour on some cardio machine or another...i loath it, but it is sometimes a necessary evil. fortunately in new mexico, winter tends to be short lived. december and january are the worst of it and by february we'll start seeing a mix of spring like weather along with erratic winter storms popping up.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    still run outside unless it's icey
    f8ee8c0b7c5ab149b955f57529ed7ba1.jpg
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I'm in Massachusetts. Yesterday I did laps around WalMart. Looked for rain gear - nada. It's not raining today, so I'm going to layer up and walk outside despite the cold.
  • VivaGlamDE
    VivaGlamDE Posts: 8 Member
    dancing, jumping rope, tabata workouts, hit your local mall and walk briskly around it two or three times. - I'm partial to some of those Beach Body workouts during the colder months though, they are convenient.
  • zombiebrandy0112
    zombiebrandy0112 Posts: 88 Member
    I run in all weather except ice (then I usually walk).
  • MorningGhost14
    MorningGhost14 Posts: 441 Member
    I run outside all winter. Use Yaktrax when its icy.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited December 2015
    I run outside all winter (I'm in Chicago, signed up for a 17+ mile run challenge on Jan 9, and a half marathon at the end of the month). Other than that, swimming and combination of bike trainer and spinning.
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    I'm curious since I don't run (yet) but am thinking about starting. I live on the west coast of Canada, and winters are usually mild enough that I could run outside. However, what kind of gear do you all wear to run outside in the winter? How warmly should I dress? Gloves? Hat? Jacket? Anything special I should consider?
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Elliptical, earbuds, watch youtube things out of cell phone to take away boredom.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    nsprague1991 wrote: »
    After an abrupt start to our New England winter I've been forced inside for cardio.

    Aside from the usual treadmill/stationary bike, what do you guys do to keep up with cardio during the winter?

    With the right clothing you can enjoy running outside all year 'round.

    knyiuqrmsq8s.jpg

    But I digress......as part of my x-training for running I row. Full body workout incl cardio. A decent rower (C2) is not cheap so I'd suggest trying one at the gym before buying.

    If you've already got a road bike or hybrid consider getting a trainer rather than a stationary bike. less money and you're using your real bike all year 'round (I've yet to see any stationary bike other than club quality Lemonds that can really mimic the fit of your bike)

  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Walk At Home DVDs (Leslie Sansone). www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDmqv_XMouA

    Jessica Smith "walking" workouts, okay these have a little bit of choreography. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnCMUGnWVIg

    Simple step aerobics videos. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNAeuOs866Y

    Rebounding. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKVEqfKG7E
  • anniebag28
    anniebag28 Posts: 29 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Walk At Home DVDs (Leslie Sansone). www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDmqv_XMouA

    Jessica Smith "walking" workouts, okay these have a little bit of choreography. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnCMUGnWVIg

    Simple step aerobics videos. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNAeuOs866Y

    Rebounding. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKVEqfKG7E

  • anniebag28
    anniebag28 Posts: 29 Member
    This is what I also do I think she is the best, I had some wrist weights for Christmas to help me along
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    I actually prefer running when it's colder as overheating contributes to my exercise induced panic attacks! It's been unusually mild here in London though so have only needed a long sleeved top once and even then I was a bit overwarm once I got going. Bought a jacket, gloves and one of those sexy headbands and everything and they're just sitting there neglected.

    I do a lot of Fitness Blender too though, I go through phases. I also enjoy some Beachbody stuff. I'm a big fan of bodyweight and dumbbell weighted cardio based workouts, I find them fun.
  • Pawsforme
    Pawsforme Posts: 645 Member
    Kettlebell swings
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    edited December 2015
    RoseTheWarrior wrote: »
    I'm curious since I don't run (yet) but am thinking about starting. I live on the west coast of Canada, and winters are usually mild enough that I could run outside. However, what kind of gear do you all wear to run outside in the winter? How warmly should I dress? Gloves? Hat? Jacket? Anything special I should consider?

    check out this guide and adjust as needed


    @MorningGhost14 can you use Traks on ice sidewalks? or are the spikey bits too long? how does it affect the running?
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    moyer566 wrote: »
    RoseTheWarrior wrote: »
    I'm curious since I don't run (yet) but am thinking about starting. I live on the west coast of Canada, and winters are usually mild enough that I could run outside. However, what kind of gear do you all wear to run outside in the winter? How warmly should I dress? Gloves? Hat? Jacket? Anything special I should consider?

    check out this guide and adjust as needed


    @MorningGhost14 can you use Traks on ice sidewalks? or are the spikey bits too long? how does it affect the running?

    Wow, that's a fantastic guide! Thank you :smiley:
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    RoseTheWarrior wrote: »
    I'm curious since I don't run (yet) but am thinking about starting. I live on the west coast of Canada, and winters are usually mild enough that I could run outside. However, what kind of gear do you all wear to run outside in the winter? How warmly should I dress? Gloves? Hat? Jacket? Anything special I should consider?

    I'm a walker. I dress in layers and like to start off a little cold so I won't have to take off more than one layer, if that.

    The feels-like temperature today was 32 degrees F and I wore a tank top, t-shirt, long sleeves t-shirt, turtle neck, heavy hoodie and light gloves. I took off the hoodie half way through and tied it around my waist cuz I was starting to get hot on top but my butt was a little cold. I wore jeans and light pajama bottoms.
  • PinkyPan1
    PinkyPan1 Posts: 3,018 Member
    5 miles cardio with Leslie Sansone Walk at Home. I also use a 15lb kettlebell and step aerobics.
  • Kenda2427
    Kenda2427 Posts: 1,592 Member
    I live in Alberta so long cold snowy winters. This year I signed up for a run event every month just so I don't lose major momentum. There is also skiing, snowshoeing and skating for great winter cardio besides running in icy conditions. I have a treadmill which I hate but use if need be. I also use the gym in the winter to keep me going till spring comes.
  • funchords
    funchords Posts: 413 Member
    TaLg9yl.jpg

    There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    We had a light dusting of snow yesterday - enough for me to see tracks. I see the slackers who use my trail didn't go beyond the 5 minute mark. At the 8 minute mark, I saw deer tracks, and then some sort of canine tracks (no human tracks nearby.)
  • amandabullock120
    amandabullock120 Posts: 110 Member
    moyer566 wrote: »
    still run outside unless it's icey
    f8ee8c0b7c5ab149b955f57529ed7ba1.jpg

    ^^ LOL so true^^
  • MorningGhost14
    MorningGhost14 Posts: 441 Member
    I don't have sidewalks where I run, but they work fine on icy roads...
  • srecupid
    srecupid Posts: 660 Member
    Bought an exercise bike on craigslist dirt cheap. Parked it in front of my computer monitor and go to town. Plus I work outside in the chicago winters so i probably shouldn't be so opposed to outdoor running but, damn i can't bring myself to do it.
  • CoachJen71
    CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
    edited December 2015
    I have indoor exercise machines, and can Zumba or do aerobics, but if the weather turns warm while there is snow on the ground I would like to try snowshoeing. (I am in Maine and there are a lot of folks who snowshoe, as well as X-country and/or downhill ski or snowboard.)
  • L_Master
    L_Master Posts: 354 Member
    nsprague1991 wrote: »
    After an abrupt start to our New England winter I've been forced inside for cardio.

    Aside from the usual treadmill/stationary bike, what do you guys do to keep up with cardio during the winter?

    @nsprague1991 - Not much besides cycling indoors. When I was running I usually went outside until the thermometer dropped below 20 degrees, but being a cyclist now I generally don't ride outside unless it's north of 30 with large swaths of clear roads.

    I just ride indoors on the Kickr (basically like stationary bike except I'm riding my own bike) for 2-3 hrs a day. Outside on the rare day where temperatures move up into the 40s and the roads are decently clear.
  • KathyApplebaum
    KathyApplebaum Posts: 188 Member
    edited December 2015
    RoseTheWarrior wrote: »
    I'm curious since I don't run (yet) but am thinking about starting. I live on the west coast of Canada, and winters are usually mild enough that I could run outside. However, what kind of gear do you all wear to run outside in the winter? How warmly should I dress? Gloves? Hat? Jacket? Anything special I should consider?

    Basing my answer on winter weather I've experienced while vacationing in Victoria/Vancouver...

    I would just run in tights and a long sleeve tech shirt. A light weight hat is nice, if only because humid weather makes any sweat drip instead of evaporate, and the headband can stop stuff from running into your eyes and stinging. Gloves and jacket are nice when you're standing still, but after about 10 minutes they are just too much for me. If you think you want more than this, dress in layers and bring some way to carry layers you realize you don't want during the run.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    edited December 2015
    I get in cardio from home once and sometimes twice daily. I use:

    - Leslie Sansone Walk at Home workouts
    - Jessica Smith walking workouts
    - Mini-stepper (great while watching a tv show)
    - Kettlebell workouts
    - Step aerobics
    - HIIT workouts (Cathe Friedrich mainly)
    - Aerobic dvd's/Youtube videos
    - Belly dancing/pole workouts

    Edited to add: I also ice skate a couple times a week at a rink and really want to go snowshoeing, but there's no snow yet!

Categories