(NAPSI)—Staying in shape when it’s cold out can be a
challenge. Cold weather can make outdoor workouts less appealing, and it can
be easy to lose motivation. Fortunately, there are many options to keep you moving.
“Don’t let the cold weather discourage you from staying
active,” said Tom Holland, exercise physiologist and Bowflex fitness adviser. “There are many ways to
work up a sweat in the comfort of your home and stay fit during the colder
months. What’s important is finding what works for you and sticking
with it.”
Here are five ways to help you stay fit during the colder months:
1. Embrace the great indoors.
You don’t have to be outside to work up a sweat: Opt for workouts you
can do at home. If your usual workout involves walking outside, make an
effort to fit in some extra steps as you go about your day indoors. Everyday
household activities—such as vacuuming, rearranging furniture or
organizing closets—burn more calories than you might think. Purposefully
making extra trips up and down the stairs for laundry runs or mopping the
floors can help get you moving and sweating. In fact, 30 minutes of vacuuming
can burn up to 120 calories. No matter your outdoor workout of choice, it’s
easy to find a way to incorporate many of the same movements into your indoor
activities.
2. Watch TV. That is, use it to
help track your progress. Many fitness products, including the Modern
Movement M-Pad Balance & Strength Trainer (www.modmov.com) and its accompanying M-Trac app, can connect to a TV screen to enhance your
workout. A recent study in The Journal of the American Medical Association
found that fitness-tracking games can lead to an increase in physical
activity by offering a motivating experience. With the M-Pad, you can play
balance and agility games including “Bull’s Eye,” “Maze”
and “Space Invaders,” all while measuring your progress and
improving your balance with the functional fitness platform.
3. Try something new. Find
different, exciting ways to get moving. Try an exercise class, such as Zumba or a cycling class, or get two workouts in one with
the Bowflex HVT fitness machine (www.bowflex.com/hvt). It offers hybrid
velocity training, combining cardio and strength training into an effective,
fast workout suitable for everyone from beginners to fitness pros. Bluetooth
smart technology and the free HVT app help you follow along with pre-existing
workouts, or customize your own with 50 trainer-led exercise videos.
4. Get the family involved.
Family game nights can be more than just bonding time. Pull out the
interactive games, like Twister, or use your gaming console with videos like “Just
Dance” to work up a sweat with the whole family. You’ll keep the
kids entertained and get everyone up and moving at the same time!
5. Set attainable goals. Having
something to work toward can help inspire
you to keep moving. Whether your goal is as simple as completing a workout
twice a week or tied to a deadline, such as training for a race in the
spring, you’ll be more motivated to be active if you have something to
focus on. The sense of accomplishment you’ll get from achieving your
goal can be an added bonus.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)