Winter Workouts for Staying Active and Keeping Fit

It’s easy to stay under your duvet on dark winter mornings than brave the cold and head to your spinning class before work. However, there’s no need to go into hibernation this winter. It’s especially important to keep up your exercise regime during the colder months, and if you don’t, all those Christmas calories will find it very easy to cling to your hips. To help you stay active this winter, we’ve put together a few tips for keeping yourself motivated and squeezing in a bit of exercise to your routine.

Getting Back on the Bandwagon

If you’ve neglected your exercise regime for a while, get yourself back on the fitness bandwagon by starting out slow. The NHS has a great online programme for people who are usually inactive, and it’s designed to ease you into exercise slowly by building up your strength at a safe and steady rate. If that sounds like something you fancy, check it out here.

Couch to 5K

Another great NHS plan is Couch to 5k. You simply download a free 9 week course of podcasts and run three times a week, letting the podcasts – complete with trainer and music – steadily guide you through your run. When you’ve completed the course, you’ll be at a stage where you’re able to run 5k. Thousands of previously unfit people have sung its praises, claiming they never liked running until they used the free podcasts. You can run outside, at the gym, or even at home if you invest in a treadmill from somewhere like Fitness Warehouse, so even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, you can still take on the challenge.

Yoga and Pilates

If the thought of overexerting yourself in the winter months couldn’t be less appealing, then you could take up a form of non-cardio exercise, like yoga or pilates. Both are good for building up your strength, and yoga has been proven to have a positive effect on your mental wellbeing, so it’s a good choice if winter weather leaves you feeling a little miserable.

Dog Walking

Even if you don’t have a dog, you can volunteer to walk rescue dogs at your local animal shelter a few times a week. A brisk stroll through the fields first thing on a crisp winter’s morning will wake you up, leaving you feeling revitalised and ready for the day ahead. Plus, it provides the perfect opportunity for spending some time in the great outdoors, which is especially nice if you live in the countryside.