It is important to keep active during the winter doldrums to maintain mental wellbeing as well as physical health, but winter weather can limit the options for physical activity, especially when conditions outside can pose a risk of slips and falls.
Exercising in the winter months can help you maintain or even build your stamina for the warmer months, when you might want to go out for a walk or bike ride. The cold months shouldn’t discourage you from finding ways to remain active.
You can always dress warmly, wear sturdy boots and brave the elements to go for a walk outside or have a snowball fight with your grandchildren, but there are also plenty of options for exercising indoors in wintry conditions:
-
Try a class
Local community centres or the YMCA offer a broad variety of classes, from chair yoga or low-impact aerobics, to Pilates or dance classes.
-
Move around the house.
Working out at home is easier than you think! Do active housework like vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping. Stretching and strengthening exercises can easily be done at home without specialized equipment – just use cans of soup or small water bottles instead of hand-weights. For cardio-respiratory exercise, there is a large variety of DVDs to choose from. Try borrowing a few from your local library to see what interests you.
-
Get out and walk around (indoors)
Have you considered heading to a local mall to walk around the hallways before stores officially open for the day? Many shopping malls open their doors to older adults who use the mall hallways as an indoor track. There is a social element as you meet “the regulars” which can be an added bonus to mall-walking.
-
Join a gym.
A gym membership gives you access to all kinds of equipment and staff who know how to use it. One of the most significant benefits of going to a gym is the social aspect.
-
Dive right in!
Haven’t been swimming in ages? Try an indoor pool. Whether it’s a fitness class or at your own leisure, swimming is a great way to build stamina and improve flexibility.
Focus on your health year-round: eat well, get enough sleep and rest, and stay hydrated. Most importantly, have fun. Exercise should make you feel energized. Finally, before starting any activity program, be sure to talk to your doctor to make sure the activity is right for you.