It won’t be long before we look out our windows and see dirty slush, icy roads and frost everywhere. That scene alone makes all of us want to leap off the cozy couch and get a long work out in immediately, right? Wrong. For many students, winter months cause us to hibernate from exercise. Too many college students get stuck in an exercise rut when the temperature decreases. However, this doesn’t have to be the case if you incorporate aerobic variety to motivate you to pop in a workout video rather than, say, hot cocoa in the microwave.
The University of Wisconsin- La Crosse was ranked the 12th fittest campus in a recent issue of Men’s Health magazine. This may be partially accredited to the numerous trails and bluffs we have, but these become much more limited when covered in snow. Too many of us are quick to quit our exercise routines and resume in the spring; however there are many other ways students can be motivated to exercise in and outside during the winter. These tips will keep you fit and active all winter long.
It is easy to forget some of the most common activities that we did as a child, especially swimming. Instead of doing it doggy paddle style however, swim laps with moderate effort for an hour. On average, this type of workout burns 400 calories (based on a 150 lb person). Swimming utilizes every part of your body, and is a type of aerobic exercise that strengthens muscles. Swimming for at least 30 minutes helps to burn more calories and tightens and reduce the fatty muscles in the body.
If you haven’t heard of Pilates, listen up! The major benefit of Pilates is that it increases strength and makes the body leaner; a complete core work out. Pilates was started by Joseph Pilates himself in the 1900s, and teaches breathing with focus on spine alignment, according to Thatsfit.com. This exercise is normally done on mats or with actual Pilates equipment. Many students take the classes offered at the university or do it on their own with DVD’s. However you choose to take part in this exercise, Pilates sculpts both the abdominal muscles and back and is found to be a very relaxing work out. Escape the sluggish winter days with a slower tempo exercise while still building muscle in challenging poses.
Now if you’re looking for a more intense work out, cross-country skiing is becoming more popular for college students. This is a full-blooded winter workout that utilizes balance and aerobic intensity. Skiing moderately for one hour burns up to 600-900 calories and puts both your upper and lower body hard at work to sculpt and tone. Cross-country skis can be rented by students for just $4 here at the university. It can be physically intense, but is still one of the more safe winter sports as it is a low-impact.
Don’t forget about the more common activities that are still popular as well, such as spinning, Zumba, yoga, large medicine balls and walking. These resources can be found at the REC where they are currently offering them at half price.
Of course, if you’re a diehard fitness enthusiast, the cold weather doesn’t need to keep you indoors. A good pair of running shoes will keep your feet dry and warm should you choose to walk or run around campus. Just remember to watch for snow and ice. It is also important to layer clothing when exercising outside due to the chilly temperatures that are on the way. Under armor is always a safe bet. Even if you want to keep your wardrobe light, there’s no substitute for hat and mittens.
If, after all these suggestions, motivation is still lacking, sign up for a run or some event that would make you train and possibly form a new routine in the process. No matter how you decide which work out is best for you, it is essential that we propel ourselves off the couch and grab our iPod, and maybe even a friend, for that extra motivation. Hopefully your Nikes aren’t already hibernating in the back of your closet.
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