When winter weather strikes, the last thing you may want to do is pull on your sneakers and go for a run. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up all activity in the cooler months. Here we take a look at 5 winter workouts guaranteed to get you sweating – and otherwise keep you dry!
Indoor Swimming
Winter can be a wonderful time to hit an indoor aquatic centre. There are fewer people, and most indoor pools are heated these days.
Begin by doing as many laps as you can – either freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly (or mix it up!) Each time, try to increase the number of laps you do. You can also try and beat your per lap time.
Kettlebells
Kettlebells are gaining popularity in Australia, but they’re still a relatively unknown sport. In kettlebell, you lift one weight in a variety of ways, including lifts, snatches and jerks. Like martial arts, kettlebell training is considered an artform; it’s more about technique to get the best body and balance, rather than the relentless pursuit of lifting heavier weights.
And best of all, you can do kettlebells in a gym, at a special studio or buy one and use it at home.
Yoga
Yoga is a wonderfully warming activity, making it perfect for chillier days. If you’re feeling the cold, a dynamic style like hatha will warm you up. Or try relaxing yin yoga to stretch and refresh.
Pilates
Like yoga, pilates is perfect to practice in winter. You’ll tone up, help your muscles heal and enjoy an all-round workout without getting caught in the rain. Try pilates at a special studio, at home with a DVD, or at a gym class.
Skipping
Whether you skip solo or add it to a circuit routine, it’s a fantastic all-round activity for winter. Focus on speed, as the faster you skip, the less time and energy it takes. Aim for 100 skips, building up to 500.
