We know how it is… your alarm goes off at 5am and you realise you’d rather keep your winter belly bulge than tear yourself from that cosy cocoon into the icy, 3 degree air. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. But while ‘getting your sweat on’ mid winter doesn’t sound all that appealing, the truth is it can actually be loads of fun! You just have to know which workouts to do.
The winter weather shouldn’t be an excuse to throw away your resolutions and let your fitness levels drop. In fact, now is the best time ever to get started. You know what they say – summer bodies are made in winter! To help keep your workout mojo in check, we’ve put together a list of fun, calorie-busting workouts to get you through the final weeks of winter….
On one end there’s regular yoga, on the other end there’s Bikram yoga and then there’s the perfect in between – power yoga. Power yoga is yoga in a room that is heated to a more moderate 30 degrees, as opposed to Bikram’s 37 (trust us, 7 degrees cooler makes a biiiiig difference). When you show up at a power yoga class it feels like you’re walking straight back into summer, which is why this workout is particularly popular in winter. It’s also great for improving strength, flexibility and detoxifying your body.
Okay so typically, swimming is probably the last thing that you’d want to do in winter. But getting into a warm, indoor pool in a heated arena is totally different. Swimming burns a ton of calories and is easier on your bones and joints than other high-intensity workouts. It’s the perfect way to relax those cold, stiff muscles in your body and get a good workout at the same time. Plus, it adds variety to your workout regime, which means you’ll be less likely to get bored and give up.
Indoor rock climbing provides the perfect mix of strength and cardio training. On top of improving your core and upper body strength, you can also torch up to 650 calories an hour! Honestly, that is reason enough for us, but it’s also incredibly fun and you totally get major bragging rights if you reach the top.
Not only is kickboxing a full body workout that can help improve flexibility, strength and reduce stress but it’s also a great for learning how to kick butt! In just one hour, you can burn around 750 calories and regular attendance is guaranteed to leave you with a tight, toned bod.
Say hello to hip hop yoga, the trendy new workout that combines smooth flowing vinyasa yoga with booming hip-hop beats. Essentially, you get to listen to all your favourite songs while getting toned, strong and flexible at the same time. While it may sound like a weird combination, hip hop yoga is said to instantly elevate your mood (just like when your favourite song comes on the radio) so you’re guaranteed to want to come back for more.
When it’s too cold for open-air cycling, take it inside instead. Spin classes are available at most gyms and offer a super intense, indoor workout that can burn hundreds of calories per one-hour sesh. It also helps to strengthen your butt, thigh, calf and even your core muscles. Plus, you get to ride along to empowering, up-beat music, which makes the experience a whole lot more enjoyable.
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you’re restricted to indoor workouts. Getting a group together to go for scheduled walks or hikes can be super motivating, as you get to be social and keep fit at the same time. It’s also a great activity to do in the colder weather, as things can get a bit too hot and uncomfortable in summer.
While triple axles might not be in your repertoire, recreational ice-skating is a great way to get your heart pumping to warm you up in the winter time. As you get better, try skating backwards – it’ll do wonders for your toning your legs and abs!
