We spoke with Jen Weichert, Level 4 Elite Personal Trainer at the Mayerson JCC, about ways to exercise and keep moving during the cold winter months.
What are the best indoor workouts for winter?
Some great indoor workouts include strength training, walking or running on a treadmill, indoor sports, such as hockey, basketball, and bowling, group fitness classes, stair climbing, and spinning. If you want to venture outside, ice skating and sledding provide fun activities that strengthen your core.
How can people modify workouts in cold weather?
When exercising in cold weather, it’s important to follow these tips:
- Warm up properly: Start with dynamic stretches to get your muscles ready for activity. Cold weather can cause muscles to contract, so warming up is essential.
- Dress appropriately: Layer up with moisture-wicking clothes to keep dry and warm. Make sure to wear insulating gear, like gloves and hats, to protect extremities.
How can one stay motivated to work out in the winter?
It’s important to focus on the benefits. Winter workouts can boost your mood, enhance immunity, and help combat seasonal depression. Additionally, identifying what motivates you to work out, whether it’s improving your health or reaching fitness goals, can help beat the winter blues. Be sure to establish a consistent workout routine that fits into your lifestyle and vary your workouts so you can prevent boredom and stay engaged.
How do you modify workouts for clients new to winter workouts?
It’s critical to familiarize yourself with the client’s sport/workout of choice and train accordingly. Create a training plain incorporating exercises that challenge core stability and help with posture, strong abdominals, and lower back support. Include exercises like squats, lunges, or leg presses to build leg strength and prevent injuries. Add exercises that improve balance to reduce the risk of falls in winter conditions.
Check out our fitness classes HERE.
