Happy Spring everyone! Yes, Spring is here and that means the sun is on its way! Unfortunately that also means we have to get through some ‘not so sun shiny’ days too. Many parts of the U.S have been experiencing some nasty storms and some unpleasant conditions. Weather is one of the top reasons that get in the way of outdoor workouts. Don’t let the rainy days stop you from getting your workout in! We’ve got a few ideas for you for the perfect indoor workout on the days that you can’t get outside!
Take advantage of your gym membership for a great indoor workout. Gyms offer a variety of options to get a high intensity workout in. Elliptical trainers are one of the most popular fitness machines because they provide a solid workout without the high impact of running on a treadmill or pavement. Another machine that is a great option is the stationary bike. Like the elliptical, it offers a high intensity workout without much impact on your knees and joints. To avoid gym boredom, try incorporating intervals into whatever machine you are using. Start your workout with a 3 minute warm up with a low resistance and then switch between different resistances and inclines every few minutes to keep your muscle working hard and to keep you interested. If you really want to keep things fresh, switch up machines! Do 10 or 15 minutes on the treadmill, elliptical, bike and then stair master. Before you know you, you’ll end up with a 30-60 minute cardio session!
Many gyms also offer different workout classes for their members. Try Zumba, TRX, cardio kickboxing, yoga and more! These classes are a great way to break out of your normal routine, have some fun and get a great workout in all at the same time! If your gym doesn’t offer this, there are still plenty of places that are strictly Zumba or yoga classes and are glad to take drop in participants!
Don’t have a gym membership? Don’t worry! Try a HIIT workout. HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. It incorporates short interval sections filled with bursts of high energy cardio moves with minimal rest in between. The interval sections can include many different types of moves like burpees, jumping jacks, squats, push up etc. HIIT is full body workout can be done both inside and outside in almost any amount of space. There are even some that are designed to be quiet for people who live in apartment buildings. A website called Fitness Blender offers free full length HIIT videos for free! They also have a video gallery that includes other types of cardio workouts, body weight workouts and yoga/pilates.
Finally, another great way to spend a rainy day is preparing for the next sunny workout day. It’s very important to take days off to help your muscle relax and repair. Use a rainy day to stretch it out and refuel. Next time you are stuck inside because of a rainy day do something and try out one of these fun suggestions. Whether you head to the gym to try something new, create your own high intensity workout at home or take some time to give your muscles some much needed R & R!