Warm Up with Hot Winter Workouts
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Warm up with Hot Winter Workouts
You can find the right type of exercise to fit your lifestyle and interests, no matter what the temperature may be. Follow these tips for exercising at home, at the gym, and outdoors.
At Home
Pop in a fitness DVD for an instant workout in your living room. Try dance, aerobics, and kickboxing videos for calorie-blasting cardio. Pilates and yoga are great for core strengthening and flexibility. Or try belly dance for a fun alternative that takes some of the “work” out of working out.
Find videos that you enjoy, but don’t let your routine get stale. Mix it up with a variety of different DVDs. Save money by browsing local libraries for videos you can check-out for free. Or search for downloadable workouts online.
Jumping rope is also an effective indoor cardio exercise. You can burn approximately 750 calories an hour, depending on your pace. Plus, it’s a completely portable workout that’s great for traveling.
For basic strength training exercises at home, purchase dumbbells in sets of 5-, 8- and 10-pounds. If your budget allows, invest in home exercise equipment. Look for something simple and compact that you know you’ll be able to use. Save money by buying used equipment from your local sporting consignment store.
At a Gym or Health Club
Winter is the perfect time to take advantage of indoor health classes. Try spinning for a fast-paced routine. The group atmosphere and instructor will help keep you motivated. If you’re a water baby, look for a gym that has an indoor pool. Try a water aerobics class for a joint-friendly, effective workout.
But you don’t have to buy a gym membership to get an indoor workout outside of your home. Try mall walking. It’s a great way to burn calories and ward off boredom. An added bonus: no babysitter is required for this workout. Push small children along in a stroller for an extra calorie-burning boost.
Get Active Outdoors
The body works harder to maintain core temperature in chilly conditions, so you’ll burn extra calories outdoors. Try snowboarding or skiing to exercise your back, abdominal and lower body muscles.
Ice skating, another great outdoor winter activity, burns about 450-600 calories per hour. For an extra quad and glute muscle burn, try bending your knees deeper as you skate.
Don’t succumb to those winter blues. Get moving! Find the workout that works best for you and stick with it. When bathing suit season arrives, you’ll be glad you found ways to stay fit.