By: Gaby Talarico
Winter is here in full force and what does that mean? That means cuddling under the blankets, drinking tea and watching movies…right? WRONG. Well…partially correct. Yes, you are allowed to have those cozy nights, but winter does not mean full hibernation and being couch bound until springtime. Being immunocompromised means it very important for us to stay on top of our health, and that includes being active. Yes, there are easy ways to stay active without freezing your butt off.
Indoor Workout Videos
In today’s age, most households have a smart TV, computer and/or smaller smart device. The internet may rot your brain, but it is also LOADED with workout videos for every experience level. All you need to do is go onto YouTube and type in what you are looking for. They have everything from yoga, Pilates, barre, full body, weight workouts, HIIT (high impact interval training, LIIT (low impact interval training), and much more. All you need is internet access, a mat and/or carpet and yourself! Bonus if you have some weights to work with, but they are not mandatory. I will list a few trainers to get you started on your YouTube workout journey. There are many more, but these are some good trainers to get you started.
- growingannanas – YouTube
- Workouts offered: isolated body parts (glutes, abs, upper body, full body), weights and no weight workouts, HIIT workouts, dance, LIIT/no jumping workouts, Tabata, yoga, Pilates
- Intensity level: beginner, intermediate and advanced videos (will say in the caption)
- Madore Athletics | Built for the Woman You Are
- Workouts offered: isolated body parts (glutes, abs, upper body, full body), dance, Pilates, HIIT workouts, knee friendly/low impact, standing workouts, office stretches, mobility
- Intensity level: beginner, intermediate and advanced videos (will say in the caption)
- Caroline Jordan – YouTube
- Workouts offered: specializes in exercises for more medical focused issues like diabetes, lowering cholesterol, osteoporosis, chair workouts, but also has shorter isolated body part exercises
- Intensity level: beginner
- Caroline Girvan – YouTube
- Workouts offered: specializes in series workouts and isolated body parts (glutes, abs, upper body, full body), more strength focused but also has HIIT workouts
- Intensity level: mainly intermediate to advanced, but some beginner workouts
Join a Gym for Group Workout Classes
Getting the motivation to workout by yourself is hard and it is even harder in the winter when the last thing you want to do is be outside. One way to push past that negative voice in your head is to do a group workout class. Group classes have many benefits besides getting you in shape. These are just a few of the benefits of joining a gym for classes: you can go with a friend or family member (bonding/motivation to go), you can make new friends, the class will push you to work harder because you feel obligated to work out with the rest of the class (good peer pressure), and the instructor can help adjust exercises if you are pregnant, injured, and/or cannot do certain movements for health reasons. The other great aspect about gyms today, is that they are no longer generic boring classes…there are now gyms that ONLY offer classes and only specialize in certain classes. Some gyms only specialize in Pilates and barre, where other gyms are only spin studios. If living in a major city/popular town, I would recommend trying an application on your phone called ClassPass. This app lets you buy credits and then you can go to all participating gyms to try out different classes! Maybe going to a gym could be fun?!?!
Intramural Sports
In my opinion…this is the best way to stay active while having fun. Intramural sports can be for both kids and adults and they go all year round. If it is a sport in the winter, it will be indoors too (thank goodness). These sports are also activities we all grew up loving to play as kids: dodgeball, kickball, volleyball, basketball and sometimes they will also have indoor pickleball, tennis, and flag football. Not only will you have fun playing a game for your team to win, but you are also moving your body to stay active during this cold weather. I also love that you can make a team with friends or make new friends by signing up as a “free agent”. On top of intramural sports, there are also 2 other indoor sports that people forget exist…swimming and indoor rock climbing. Both sports are great cardio and strength building exercises that anyone can do at any skill level. The cold is no longer an excuse to play a sport 😊.
Shopping and Mall Walking
Who doesn’t love a good shopping day? Even if you are on a budget, it is still fun to go to stores and window shop for future wish list items. Walking through a mall or in a town is a great way to get those steps in. Then, add on to buying items, and you just added a good weight training exercise as well. You can also do this with friends and family, so it is a great bonding experience that is good for your health and mental health too! We all need some retail therapy in our lives.
Many people may struggle in the cold with trying to stay fit and active, but as mentioned above, it is easier than people may think to move our bodies during this season. With the tools listed above and a little help from friends and family, we can all stay healthy and fit during these cold winter days and nights.
The Fine Print
The information provided on this news post, including workout routines and exercise recommendations, is intended for general informational purposes only. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified medical professional before starting any new exercise regimen.
As you know better than most, each individual’s physical abilities and health status vary (sometimes hour to hour), and it is important to adapt exercises to your specific needs and limitations. Always listen to your body, progress at your own pace, and seek guidance from a healthcare provider.