It’s that time of year again. Fall has come to a close, the holidays are almost here, and sweater weather has arrived.
With all those holiday gatherings, dinners, and parties, it’s no surprise that winter the most common time of year to gain extra pounds. Additionally, with the temperatures dropping and daylight hours in short supply, exercising outside becomes a challenge. This can make it even easier to fall into the holiday weight gain trap.
Fortunately, it is possible to enjoy the holidays and love the way you look. With low-impact, joint-friendly, indoor workouts, you can stay fit and healthy regardless of the cold weather – even if you’re a beginner.
So, no more excuses! Here are six of the best indoor workouts that will help keep you fit, energized, and happy even on the coldest days.
1. Swimming
Swimming laps is a great low-impact exercise, especially if you have issues with your joints or are carrying an excess of weight. With your entire body weight supported, you can enjoy a vigorous workout and burn a lot of calories, without all that post-workout joint pain.
For optimal results from your swimming routine, try to get 3 to 5 swim sessions in per week, lasting 20 minutes per session.
3. Yoga
If you’re over 50 and not already practicing yoga, now is a great time to begin. Not only is yoga an excellent choice for an indoor workout, but it’s also a quiet exercise, making it perfect for those who live in apartments.
Those who practice yoga see the added benefits of flexibility, mobility, strength, and balance through low-impact, joint-friendly movements. As a bonus, yoga can also help keep your mind sharp and your mood and emotions positive.
Not sure how to get started? Try this yoga workout you can do from your living room: Yoga For Beginners - The Basics - With Adriene.
3. Pilates
Pilates is an exercise that uses a series of thoughtful, controlled movements to strengthen and stabilize your core. The main goal in Pilates is to make your core muscles like the trunk of an oak tree. While your limbs (branches) are moving around, your middle (trunk) stays strong and anchored. This strong core helps burn calories and keep you balanced and stable, reducing the chances of injury.
If you’re interested in pilates, this is a great series for beginners and seniors alike: Pilates for Beginners and Seniors.
4. Circuit Training
Circuit training is a form of body conditioning or resistance training. It builds strength and muscular endurance via a set of exercises (a circuit) that targets the major muscle groups with very little downtime between each exercise. By keeping the time between exercises short, your heart rate remains elevated, allowing you to not only build muscle but to burn calories as well.
Many people think circuit training can only be done in the gym, but there are some great online videos you can take advantage of, like this 12-minute low-impact circuit routine that can be completed right in the comfort of your own home.
5. Tai Chi
An ancient Chinese martial art form, Tai Chi is also revered as a form of meditation. The gentle, flowing movements that Tai Chi utilizes promotes relaxation and stress relief and is believed to help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.
Physically, Tai Chi can help to improve balance and coordination, lower blood pressure, promote better sleep, and more. Because it is a gentle, low-impact exercise, Tai Chi is generally suitable for people of any level of physical fitness or age.
Learn the beginning fundamentals of Tai Chi here: Tai Chi for Beginners: The Fundamentals.
6. Walking
Walking is as easy as stepping onto a treadmill. Walking provides the benefits of running without the joint or knee pain that can often accompany it. If you’re starting from a relatively sedentary lifestyle and easing your way into walking, begin with a daily 15-minute walk and then gradually progress to a 30- to 45-minute calorie burner (with or without incline).
Feel Stronger This Winter With Matrix Age Management
Even though we might wish we could hibernate through the colder months, our health doesn’t take a nap over the holidays.
So, if you’re looking to keep your winter padding under control and stay on top of your health, schedule a consultation with Matrix Age Management. We’ll help you put together a winter workout routine that’s right for your body, activity level, and lifestyle
Contact us today for more information!
