According to the online Old Farmer’s Almanac, winter is expected to be colder and drier than normal this year in Asheville. The predicted coldest periods will be from late December through early January and in early and mid-February. Snowfall is expected to be below normal in the north and above normal in the south, with the snowiest periods in mid- to late December and early January. Last year, we had about two inches of ice and snow over the entire winter season. This year may not be much different.
That said, there may still be days when you would prefer to exercise indoors and as such might be considering adding an indoor exercise routine to your schedule. With precautions such as appropriate gear, adequate space, and bodily preparation, you can still work up a sweat in the “Great Indoors.” Here are a few suggestions for indoor exercise routines:
Jump Rope. Jumping rope is a sure fire way to lose weight fast, and requires little more than floor space, ceiling clearance, and a rope, although in a pinch you could pretend to hop over an imaginary rope. Here is a 15-minute workout if you would like to give jumping rope a try.
Jog. Think jogging is only for outside? Think again! You can run the hallway, run in place, or for an added kick run up and down a set of stairs. If you are serious about jogging, invest in a treadmill. Adding weights offers additional benefits. For further information, click here.
Step Aerobics and Dancing. Really, the point to all this exercising is to get the heart pumping and what better way to do this than to just move? Step aerobics routines are readily available in DVD form, or this site offers video clips to teach you some beneficial moves. Likewise, pop in your favorite CD or turn on the radio and start dancing to the beat for easy and fun exercise.
Floor Exercises. Abdominal crunches, pushups, squats, and lunges are all examples of floor exercises you can use to build strength and tone your muscles. Make sure you use proper form (as with all exercise). Click here for a refresher course in abdominal crunches, an exercise that is commonly done improperly.
Yoga and Stretches. If you are interested in flexibility and relieving tension in both your mind and body, yoga and stretching are good options for you. The Yoga Deck offers 50 poses and meditations you can do right at home, and here are a variety of stretches for specific areas of your body.
As mentioned, with proper precautions it is simple enough for you to continue exercising from the safety of your own home. Best to be prepared in case Asheville is ever hit with a blizzard!
