Living in the incredible outdoors of the Pacific Northwest is pretty amazing. But, if you're a fitness enthusiast, you have to admit the Seattle-area weather has its challenges.
However, just because the forecast calls for bad weather for the next few days doesn't mean your workout routine has to be derailed. There are plenty of indoor workouts and exercises you can do to stay fit — with or without fitness equipment. If you're looking for creative ways to stay fit with indoor exercises when the weather is crummy, we've got you covered.
Indoor Workouts You Can Do Any Time of Year
Staying consistent with a fitness program is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Try these boredom-boosting fitness ideas in any space.
Indoor Cardio Options
Let's get down to business: You're at the mercy of Seattle's elements and most of the year, that doesn't inspire an outdoor workout. But if you're serious about your fitness, you'll need to figure out a solution for indoor cardio workouts.
You might want to join a local gym to use their cardio equipment and take advantage of their fitness classes. You could also invest in an indoor fitness bike, treadmill, rower, elliptical machine, strength machine, or even the latest high-tech combined versions of those.
Think about your fitness goals and your motivation levels. Are you more likely to go for a run if you see your treadmill in your home? Or, do you feel the need to get out and prefer to run on a gym's treadmill? You might find that signing up for group exercise classes in a fitness studio helps with motivation — and even better if you can enlist a friend to meet you there. Or, spend the money on a connected fitness cardio machine and join live classes from the comfort of home for accountability.
Home-Based Strength Workouts
You can turn any space into a home gym with (or even without) the right equipment. Body weight exercises alone can be challenging enough as part of a home workout routine. But if you're looking for a more advanced workout, you might want to invest in some fitness equipment for your home to build lean muscle mass.
Start with some exercise bands, a few dumbbells, a yoga mat, yoga blocks, and perhaps sliding discs. Later, build strength and power with home fitness equipment like a pull-up bar, kettlebells, a TRX system, or a space-saving dumbbell weight set that makes it easy to increase your workout intensity.
Some go-to exercises include bodyweight squats, lunges, push-ups, calf raises and planks. For general fitness, a good starting routine might be 15 reps for three sets and a 30 second to one minute plank. Increase the intensity when you add weight and reps.
Fitness Apps and Online Classes
There's never been an easier time to access a variety of fitness classes for all levels through a smartphone, laptop or TV. Scroll through the fitness app options in the Apple or Google Play stores. There are many free apps that show you how to do indoor exercises, guide you through workouts and even create challenges that can help keep workout momentum going for a set number of days.
Search for the types of indoor workouts that you'll look forward to on gloomy days when you're stuck inside. You might find YouTube dance videos, a HIIT workout on an app, or see if your favorite personal trainer influencers have an online program you can download and try. Companies like Peloton offer tons of workout ideas even if you don't have cardio equipment at home.
Martial Arts and Indoor Sports
Many of us want to exercise and stay fit but the idea of climbing onto an exercise machine for a workout sounds like torture. You might benefit from indoor workouts that are centered around sports, such as racquetball or squash, both of which can provide an engaging and challenging workout.
Or, discover the health benefits of learning new skills, working on discipline and incorporating indoor exercises with martial arts. These activities improve physical fitness, mental discipline and agility. There are a number of martial arts apps you can download and explore if you aren't able to make it to a class. Feeling brave? Try boxing! It's an incredible workout that'll whip you into shape in no time.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Staying healthy means staying balanced. One of the best ways to do that during the long rainy seasons and brutal winters up north is to incorporate indoor mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation to complement your physical fitness routine. These practices promote mental well-being, reduce stress, help fight seasonal depression, and enhance your mobility and flexibility. Search for apps or videos to help you get started with meditation or yoga, or travel to an in-person class for a more structured practice.
Stay Healthy No Matter the Season
Seattle's ever-changing weather doesn't have to hinder your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. By incorporating these indoor workout ideas into your routine, you can stay active, improve your fitness and beat the elements throughout all seasons. Whether you prefer home-based workouts, fitness apps, subscription programs on an app, or group classes at a local gym, there are a wide range of options to keep you moving and motivated, rain or shine.
These articles are intended for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in these articles. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise or medication regimen.