Winter Exercising: Adjust Your Fitness Plan for the Chilly Weather

For too many people, the return of winter weather means the end of a regular fitness routine. Particularly for those who exercise outside, the colder weather and shorter days often combine to sideline fitness efforts. The hectic holiday season doesn’t exactly help the situation, but with a little advance planning – and some dedication – your winter can be just as healthy as the spring, summer and fall that follow it.

Beating the cold

For those who can’t stand the cold or wet weather, exercising outside is often out of the question. But that’s no reason to hang up your running or walking shoes. Talk a walk at the mall – and if you have trouble getting motivated to do that, join a walking club. 

Runners won’t want to slow down their strides to mall speeds, but if you keep getting sidelined by cold weather, trying joining a health club that has an indoor track. While you’re there, check out the weight-training equipment or take a pilates class; cross-training is good for the body, and it can also challenge your mind to try something new. 

Another option is to buy some new exercise equipment for your home. If biking is your passion, a stationary one can keep you fit – and if you put a television in front of it, you can enjoy your favorite show without guilt. The same goes for a treadmill – you can log a lot of miles while watching an hour of TV. 

The most important thing to remember is that whatever exercise equipment you buy, it needs to suit your lifestyle, interests and be accessible in your home. Try out some equipment at a health club before you settle on which one you’d like to own.

If you can’t beat it, join it…

Maintaining an outdoor fitness program is possible year-round, although it might not always be comfortable. But for the dedicated, all it takes is planning and preparation – and some plain old common sense.