Got the winter blues? Boost your mood with these winter fitness tips and five exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home!

It can be difficult to drag yourself out of bed and head to the gym when the temperature drops. But not to worry – we have winter fitness tips to help you stay fit and healthy. A bonus with winter workouts is that it’s a great way to boost your mood, as exercising provides a release of endorphins (the happy chemicals in our body). What better way to boost your mental and physical health than with a home workout?

Winter Fitness Tips: Try These At Home Exercises

We know you may want a day to sleep in or be tempted to skip working out altogether, so we rounded up some simple exercises you can do from the comfort of your own warm and cosy home.

Jumping Jacks

Don’t feel like going for a run? Jumping jacks are a good way to get your heart rate up and burn calories at the same time. Start by standing with your feet together and raise your arms above your head. Now jump out with your feet wide and place your hands against your hips. You can do as many repetitions as you want.

Bodyweight Squats

Can’t make it to the gym? That’s okay. Bodyweight squats are excellent for working out your leg muscles. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and lower your hips slowly (think as if you’re sitting down on a chair). Don’t forget to keep your core braced and your chest up to avoid injury. You can do as many squats as you like but if you’re a beginner it’s best to master correct form before grabbing a weight.

Indoor Cardio

You don’t need to leave your home to get some cardio in. There are a number of ways you can get your heart pumping, with or without equipment. If you don’t have a treadmill on standby, you can try jogging in place. Mountain climbers are also a great substitute for running. Get into a plank position and bring one leg up before the other. You can pick up the pace for a challenge.

Yoga

Winter is the best time to try some indoor yoga classes. Yoga is for all body types, and you don’t have to do difficult asanas (poses) if you don’t want to. You can sign up online or watch video tutorials that suit your level of fitness. Apart from helping you to stay active, yoga comes with many benefits, such as improving flexibility, balance and strength. It can also help you to reduce stress levels.

Fitness Tips for The Cold Weather

Working out in winter is difficult even for the most active athletes. Apart from the winter blues, you may be feeling more sore than usual. Try these fitness tips for the cold weather:

Always Warm Up

Don’t forget to warm up no matter what exercise you choose to do. Warming up will help your body to get ready for the exercise ahead and help to prevent injury. This is especially important in winter as our bodies are prone to stiffness.

A Little Goes A Long Way

No time? No problem! You don’t have to do a lot of exercise to reap the benefits that come with staying active. A simple 10 minute yoga session or 30 minute walk is better than choosing to stay in bed all day.

Get Some Help

Not sure where to start? If you need some help to stay fit, consider consulting a fitness trainer or yoga teacher who offers online classes or at home workouts. Just make sure you are hiring certified experts.