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Let’s face it – when winter starts creeping in, huddling under a blanket and watching a movie is far more tempting than getting active. It’s no secret that winter can be the ultimate buzzkill for exercising. However, the ugly truth is that we can’t just dodge our health and well-being for six months of the year simply because of the weather.
To combat these seasonal workout wars, we set up a list of 10 ways to stay fit in the cold.
1. Get a wearable device to keep you motivated
A wearable device can be your secret weapon this winter. A device like a smartwatch that can track your heart rate, steps and calories (like the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro), you simply can’t lie to yourself. An at-home workout can be just as effective as a 60 min Pilates class, but tracking your performance with your wearable will guarantee results and the Gear Fit2 Pro even keeps on motivating you with messages as you go along.
2. Try a Convict Conditioning Routine
Think your home is too small for a workout? Try a prison cell. In 2013, after four months behind bars, Coss Marte posted his fitness results to Reddit, and they went viral for good reason. His company now specialises in ‘prison-style workouts’ – such as 30 squats, 20 lunges, 4 pistol-squats and 10 burpees - that take 23 minutes or less and don’t require a work-out room or equipment. This high intensity exercise style is an effective workout that you can do in front of the TV.
3. Set a goal for the spring
Sometimes we just need to be driven by a deadline. By giving yourself a specific goal, you’ll be much more motivated to keep up with your training. Sign up for a triathlon, a 5km or a road or trail event for September and then go for it!
4. Turn up the heat
Make your workouts warmer this winter by hitting up a heated Bikram yoga class or spending a few extra minutes in the sauna post-spinning. The mere thought of basking in the heat should be enough motivation to get you going.
5. Play Video Games While You Burn Fat
Virtual Reality (VR) headsets like the Samsung Gear VR and fitness apps like Holodance and Black Box allow you to work your body head-to-toe in action-packed games that have you on the move as you defeat enemies, dance in a club or enter the boxing ring.
6. Distract yourself
Getting absorbed in series is a fool-proof way to distract yourself from a workout, and it's a great way to get you up and off the couch! Exercises that are easy to do in an episode (25-45 minutes) are sit-ups, planking, leg raises, lunges, squats, calve raises and chair dips – challenge yourself to complete a certain number of these per episode!
7. Get Set to Sweat
If you literally want to get warmer this winter, choose workouts that will guarantee a sweat. Sweating is your body’s natural thermostat so if you’re sweating, you know you’re beating the cold! Cycling, running and even swimming are good ways to break out a sweat and raise your body temperature.
8. Listen up and get an audio trainer
With Bluetooth devices like the Samsung Gear Icon X earbuds, you can download audio workouts that talk you through a variety of at-home exercise routines. Apps like Aaptiv, Motion Traxx and Gold's Amp will guide you through everything from stretching to running stairs.
9. Warm Up Indoors
According to well-known fitness star Kayla Itsines, several changes happen to your body when you start exercising “Your heart, breathing rate, nervous system activity and blood flow to your muscles all increases.” It’s important to warm up inside before stepping outdoors so your body can adjust easier.
10. Gear Up
Get the right gear to train in and be comfortable in during winter. If you’re going to train in the cold, don’t venture out in your summer T-Shirt and shorts, but rather gear up with a light weight windbreaker, beanie and even gloves to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
Our pick? We know getting motivated is half the battle of getting started – the Gear Fit2 Pro is the gym buddy that won’t drop you at 5am and will always have your best interests at heart!
This post is sponsored by Samsung produced by Brandstudio24 for W24.
