I usually walk to exercise I have always enjoyed walking. I live in a rural area so my walks usually involve fresh air and a road less traveled. I never could walk on one of those treadmill things I find them to be boring. But I’m looking for something else. Even though I live in Tennessee the weather will not stay warm forever. I don’t want to give up on exercise just because it gets cold. So, what do you do for exercise when it’s cold outside.
I do the treadmill. I have mine near a window so I can see out the window. I put my headphones on and crank up the music so I don’t really find it boring. You can watch TV too if you wanted to.
I have arthritis in all my joints so that running, walking are really tough. But I’ve found a great hour of swimming is wonderful. My joints don’t ache, AND my numbers go down or at least are stable. We looked at a bike today, a recumbant one, the problem is where to put it in our small house. I swim at one of the motels in town for just $20 a month, cheaper than the Y or any gym in town. My friends walk in gyms at schools, or the mall…both have routes mapped out for them…so you know how long it is.
I run outside most of the time, or at least the 2009/10 winter. The weather this year sucked for running outside so I ran on the dreadmill for about a month. I sort of like running in blizzards and, generally, on freshly fallen snow, as it’s very easy on my knees. We have an elliptical too. I like biking too. My parents have a recumbent bike that’s fun to play on but I’ve only done it a couple of times. They are really into books on tape while they exercise.
A high school about 1/2 hr from me (I live in the boonies) has free open swim at their pool a few days each week during the colder months (NYS) and my cousin across the street has a pool that I’m in constantly throughout the summer. I love to swim.
How about cycling? Horse riding? Swimming?
Kettlebells, push ups, pull ups, walking on the treadmill. Every evening I at least walk. Push ups and pull ups, I do on MWF, and on T, Th, I do kettlebells.
I like to run trails near my house. Nothing better than fresh air. I avoid sweaty gyms at all costs.
Our group is going to try snowshoes this year. Some swear by them. Apparently there are new, lighter shoes which make it easier. Then there is always cross country skiing but it’s more difficult to find a trail.
Kettlebells?
An exercise ball is great too. Even if you just use it as a chair… great for the abs.
If you really like walking, why not gear up a little for winter? It does not have to be a big investment.
earmuffs
winter walking boots (I got mine from Lands End for ~$50)
light-weight long underwear
smart-wool (or wicking) socks
I live in Michigan and with these kind of accessories, I’m willing to brave a walk most of winter.
Gearing up for a winter walk would be no problem. I have an outdoor job and have all the equipment. I guess the problem is all mental. It’s like I’ve been outside most of the day and the last thing I want to do is go back out into the cold. I guess I’ll just have to make myself do it.
I love walking too, but when the weather doesn’t permit me to do so outside, I do treadmill walking and jogging, aerobics dance exercises and kickboxing indoors.
racquetball is a lot of fun indoors. I used to play in college when I had free access to courts. Now I go to the gym for time on the elliptical or do a 30 minute circuit of cardio and strength training exercises (or both). I stay off the treadmill because it is so boring (I get dizzy if I watch TV or concentrate on anything else in the room). All year long I walk or run outside since both me and my dog benefit from it. Actually, I am looking forward to it being cooler since it has really been too hot out this summer for many long walks during the day.
I’ve also tried exercise videos. Depending on if you have on-demand, you might be able to get workouts for free. I know Comcast and Verizon both have them for free. It might take a while to find some you like. Or you can buy DVDs or get workouts online. Working with medicine balls and resistance bands is good too, but it’s nice to use this with some kind of cardio. Jumping rope isn’t bad indoor activity if you’ve got the room for it.
We have a recumbent bike that sits in front of a tv w/dvd player. I agree that exercise equipment can be boring but I tend to get lost in a movie and don’t really get bored any longer. Besides, I feel so much better after I’m done. I’ll miss my walks in the woods once the snow starts to fly but at least I have something to fill the gap.
I use the elliptical the most - 30 to 60 minutes a session 4 or 5 times a week. 1 to 3 times a week I’ll do a workout on the Wii balance board that incorporates yoga, calisthenics and aerobics for about 50 minutes. If the weather is good over the weekend, my wife and I will go for a 4 to 6 mile walk.
When I started exercising I was too heavy (275lbs) to use the treadmill we had and not too limber. I used the Wii to take off the first 20-25 pounds and regain some flexibility. The Wii offers a good variety of exercise and may be a good option if space is limited.
We also replaced the 12 year old treadmill with a new Cybex ArcTrainer elliptical - rated for up to 400lbs. We wanted something that was non-impact; I was concerned about battering my feet about and my wife has arthritis in her knee. I could barely do 10 minutes on it when I started using it four months ago. It’s definitely made a big difference in my stamina.
Running 50 miles a week on average, all year all seasons. Love the fall the most!
I walk, but then I am lucky enough to be able to walk outside all year round. What about mall walking, that is a possibility in some bad weather areas?
My Pain management specialist says I should be doing nothing but stationary bike. I have both knees replaced and just diagnosed with a ruptured disc