Well, that was fun. Summer is fleeting and the temperature is dropping. This means that you’re either prepping your cold-weather gear for outdoor workouts or trying to figure out how to bring those workouts indoors.
The best thing about warm weather is having several workout options, but when living in cities that are subjected to brutally cold temperatures, it’s important to have a plan. This doesn’t mean joining a traditional gym or investing in expensive workout equipment. It just means it’s time for you to get creative.
Tips for indoor workouts
1. Join a boutique studio or health club subscription service.
If you’re not interested in joining a traditional gym, but you also dread the idea of an at-home workout, it may be time to look into joining a boutique studio or a gym that is centered on a specific discipline like boxing, indoor cycling, barre, yoga, or even rock climbing.
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If you want to have access to multiple studios and gyms, there are programs like ClassPass that allow you to visit their partner studios for a monthly fee.
2. Download an app or subscribe to an online program.
There are so many apps, YouTube channels, and cable subscriptions that you can join to get your workouts in without having to program them yourself. You can think of it like you would attending group fitness classes at any gym or studio, but within the comfort of your own home, without having to worry about anyone invading your personal space, and without having to encounter B.O.
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Nike, Insanity, RunKeeper, Aaptiv, Victorious, and Daily Burn are all apps that you could look into!
3. Join a small group or organize your own small group.
If your buddies are also interested in bringing their workouts indoors or even starting a fitness journey, then this may be a great place to start. You can start by building a schedule, something that works for everyone, and deciding on a central indoor location.
You can discuss the types of workouts that interest you and possibly incorporate the above step to provide some guidance.
4. Hire a personal trainer.
Finding a personal trainer isn’t always the easiest task. You have to find someone who you feel comfortable with, whose schedule works with yours, who can help you achieve the results that you’re looking for, and who charges an hourly rate that is within your budget.
It’s a lot of legwork, but when you find your person, they can help take your workouts to new heights! This is a great way to stay indoors (especially if your trainer makes house calls) and to stay motivated while having someone to push you.
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5. Join a sports league
I love this idea because not only do you have the opportunity to be active indoors, but it also makes room for a social life that doesn’t require walking in a mini dress and heels in the dead of winter. A little bit of research goes a long way as you’d be surprised by what you may find in your city.
From basketball to hockey, numerous sports can be played indoors.
6. Set a schedule and make a bomb playlist!
I love a good last-minute pop-up, but random fitness and wellness opportunities may not be as plentiful during the colder months because, unlike warm-weather outdoor activities, they require booking space and…you guessed it, planning!
You’re going to want to create a schedule and plan for yourself once the temperature drops. Building a schedule actually helps you stick with a routine. Write it down in your calendar and commit.
Everyone is motivated differently, but music will forever be a driving force! Building a playlist that is true to you takes time, but it is oh so rewarding and will make your indoor workouts much more exciting.
If you don’t have any idea of where to start, there are some amazing genre-specific (and not-so-specific) playlists across all listening platforms (Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud) that you can actually tailor to your liking. It may take some searching and listening, but you can always find a playlist that makes you want to move.
As mentioned earlier, you still have the option of being outdoors during the colder months, but it’s just important to have the right gear. Jackets, hats, earmuffs, fleece-lined leggings, and gloves are some pieces you’ll want to invest in if you plan on getting your miles in without having to use a treadmill. Nike sells some great athletic apparel for all seasons, so give them a try!
Jasmine Danielle is a Los Angeles-based dancer and fitness trainer. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has studied with FiTour, the National Federation of Personal Trainers, and the Equinox Group Fitness Training Institute.
Jasmine is currently a Group Fitness Instructor for Equinox, Everybody Los Angeles, and Sandbox Fitness. Her fitness modalities include ballet, dance cardio, barre fitness, TRX, treadmill interval training, cardio kickboxing, jump rope, indoor cycling, and metabolic conditioning.
