With the days are becoming shorter, the weather becoming colder, and it being only a matter of time before our favorite trails become snow covered we all find it becoming harder and harder to make our cardio sessions enjoyable. Even if purchasing the proper cold gear, more often than not motivation starts to dwindle away when the brisk wind slams your face as you walk out the door to go for a run. The winter season tends to damper our cardio workout spirits, by chaining us to the forbidden treadmill for what seems like hours on end. To help get you through the weary season here are some helpful hints to help spice your cardio sessions up…when the winter tries to knock them down.
Treadmill Intervals – try changing either your speed or the incline every minute, this way you are constantly challenging yourself in new ways. This will help to break up the monotony of just running steady, flat, and straight for a long period of time.
Rotate machines – it is recommended that the average adult do 30-45 minutes of aerobic activity, however this can be broken up into no less than 10 minute bouts. This means that going on the bike for 10 minutes, the rower for 10 minutes, and then the treadmill for 10 minutes will allow you to get your recommended aerobic exercise in without having to stare at the same spot on the wall for 30 minutes.
Bring a buddy – bring a friend to the gym, and challenge each other to a cardio session. See who can cover more distance in the allotted amount of time. This way not only are you more likely to go, but also more likely to push yourself. Who likes losing?
Attempt a class – this is a way to not only a good way to get a cardio session in but also make some new gym buddies. There are plenty of options available from circuits, to spin, to your traditional step aerobic classes. It never hurts to try something new.
Looking for something else? Gather some friends for a game of basketball, volleyball, soccer, or racquetball. Not the sporty person? How about jumping rope, boxing, swimming, dancing, the list can go on and on. Basically any activity where you are moving large muscle groups for an extended period of time in a rhythmic matter by definition is aerobic activity. So get creative, and find an activity that you can enjoy and remember it is only a matter of time until the days become longer and the weather warmer.
