4 ways to get your cardio indoors on a cold day
It is that time of the year again! We’ve got the fleece out, our running gloves at the ready and the thermal headbands waiting to warm our ears. As the weather cools, we might have to bear the elements when heading out for a run or cycle. But let’s face it, sometimes we are equally likely to hit snooze on the alarm when we see it pouring outside.
Luckily not all cardio needs to be outdoorsy! We’ve put together a list of activities that will help you work on your fitness and cardio, possibly expand your pool of exercises, and better still, do not require you to be outdoors - so you can leave that rain parka in the cloakroom.
1. Boxing
Ready to sparr? Boxing (kickboxing) is a really popular way of getting in shape as it promotes strength training whilst pushing your cardiovascular system to give you a full body workout.
Although on a professional level it requires protective equipment, such as gloves and head protection, you can easily do it with a pair of gloves (if actually sparring with someone) or sans equipment, if you are just doing it on your own. Although we still love to use our Round mats for a soft and comfortable base with 360º movement.
Your local gym might have some classes, but you can easily practice it at home too. Here are a couple of boxing workout videos we found on youtube:
2. Squash
Took up tennis in the summer and loved it? Well, get ready to fall in love with squash. Yes, tennis is a sport that you can mostly play all year round, bar in pouring rain of course, and it might also be harder to play on a wet court. So, unless you can find an indoor tennis court, what are we to do during a rainy few weeks? Well, surely give squash a try!
Deemed a better workout than tennis due to its speed and constant movement, the squash court is enclosed in 3 walls that are used to bounce the ball from your side to the opponent’s next to you.
Have a look at your local squash club as they might have taster sessions, mind you, you might need new equipment (and it still requires you to leave the house!). If you have a love for racquet games, this one might be for you!
3. Spinning or cycling indoors
Avoiding cycling because of the weather? Luckily there are different ways to enjoy the benefits of cycling - indoors! Whether it is the gym’s stationary bike, the spinning class’s one or even your own regular bike at home (yes, that’s possible!), you don't need great weather to stretch your legs and get the wheels going.
Ever since the pandemic started, the world of cycling has taken new innovations and ran with them. From Peloton’s success to VR programmes that connect people cycling indoors across the world, there are more ways to enjoy cycling indoors than before and some would even say they are better for targeting specific workouts (such as endurance or speed).
If you want to stay 100% at home, then consider a bicycle trainer set up, where you take your bicycle’s back wheel and attach it to the trainer, permitting you to cycle in your own living room.
4. Good old HIIT exercises
Looking for an unfussy, no equipment workout? Go back to basics! Sometimes the basic HIIT exercises are the best at getting your heart pumping.
Try the following sequence, AMRAP (as many reps as possible for 30 seconds each followed by 30 seconds of rest) for three rounds. It should take you about 15minutes. To increase intensity increase the workout time and reduce the rest time.
Burpees
Rest
Star jumps
Rest
High knees
Rest
Squats (regular or jumping)
Rest
Push ups
Make sure to mind your form throughout to avoid injury.
Now that you’ve got new workout ideas, which will you try?
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