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in Cross-Training, Runners' Roundup, Running, Running Workouts, Strength Training Workouts, Winter, Workouts · December 13, 2023

5 Winter Workouts to Keep You Warm When It’s Cold Outside

It can be very tempting to stay curled up in bed or by the fireplace during the winter rather than head to the gym or outside for a workout. Cold weather doesn’t mean you have to skip your winter workouts. You just have to make sure you are doing workouts that will get you warm quickly. No need to spend an hour plugging away on the elliptical; there are other fun ways to burn some calories in a shorter amount of time. 

Looking for a quick but efficient workout to warm you up during the cold winter months? Here are some ways to change up your workouts to get nice and sweaty even when it's cold outside.

Winter Workouts to Keep You Warm When It’s Cold Outside

1. Treadmill Run

I know some of you may cringe at the thought of a run on the treadmill, but it doesn’t have to be so bad! Follow this Tempo Run to make the time pass quickly. You can also just play around with the speed and incline.

A treadmill tempo run to help you get used to running various paces on the treadmill!

2. Spinning Workouts

If you have access to a spin bike, it’s a great way to break a sweat and you won’t be cold for long. If you can’t take a class, you can either find a workout to follow on YouTube or try this 90s Playlist Workout. 

Try this 30 minute 90s music themed spinning workout to get your heart pumping! These sounds will have you dancing in your bike seat while you get in a good workout #spinning #workout

3. Plyometric Strength Workout

Sometimes it can be hard to strength train in the winter when you really want a workout that will warm you up quickly. This plyometric strength workout will start you off with 10 burpees, which are sure to get you nice and warm! 

Plyometric Strength for Runners

Another option is to try this Cardio and Strength Interval Workout. 

4. Short Outdoor Winter Run

If you are going to run outside in the cold, you might want to make it short and intense by doing some intervals. Try one of these workouts, or just run at an easy pace with short bursts of a hard effort once in a while. 

Time-Based Pyramid Workout
Base-Building Fartlek Run
45 Minute Fartlek Workout

5. Bosu Workout

The Bosu (affiliate link) is a great tool for both cardio and strength training, as well as balance. This Total Body Bosu Workout involves 3 circuits of 5 exercises that can be completed 1-3 times. 

bosu exercises

See? There’s really no excuse for getting in your winter workouts even when it’s cold outside. Winter is a great time of year to try something new, and it’s always nice to get a workout done quickly! 

What is your favorite winter workout?
Do you run outside all winter?
Do you try different activities when it’s cold out?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    January 19, 2018 at 5:08 am

    I have been showing my treadmill lots of love in the cold! Great winter ideas!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:48 pm

      It’s a great option to have when its cold and icy outside!

  2. Megan @ Meg Go Run says

    January 19, 2018 at 5:24 am

    My favorite thing to do when it is frigid or I don’t feel like running is lift. In fact, I’m about to do that right now in my nice warm house…

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:48 pm

      It’s so nice to be able to do workouts at home!

  3. AmyC says

    January 19, 2018 at 6:53 am

    I love being outside for my workouts as much as possible, but NH winters could be brutal. My treadmill and at-home workouts kept me moving all season when going out was too much for me.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      It’s definitely nice to have indoor options for those days when the weather is really bad!

  4. Wendy says

    January 19, 2018 at 7:02 am

    I like to put my bike in the trainer and do a YouTube spin class–that’s always a way to sweat!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:51 pm

      Some of those online classes can really give you a great workout!

  5. Marcia says

    January 19, 2018 at 7:04 am

    Like anything else, working out in winter is a habit. The more you do it, the more naturally it comes. I like speedwork on the mill. Or some nice hot yoga.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      So true! And I forgot about hot yoga. I used to love doing that on really cold days.

  6. Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says

    January 19, 2018 at 8:16 am

    I still like to get outside and run in the winter. It’s especially nice when there is snow out!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      I like running in fresh snow! Not so much when it starts to melt and then freezes over to ice…

  7. Lesley says

    January 19, 2018 at 10:08 am

    I’m definitely using my treadmill. If it’s nice out, it’s still getting dark quite quickly in the evenings, though the sun is setting later. I need to be able to see where I’m going, otherwise I will trip. I have geese in the neighborhood too right now, and I’d like to avoid them as well.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:53 pm

      There are so many reasons why it’s nice to have the treadmill as an option during the winter!

  8. Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says

    January 19, 2018 at 10:51 am

    I try to get outside to run all winter long, even when it’s cold and rainy. If it’s icy, I usually opt for the treadmill, although this year I think I’ll stick to a shorter treadmill interval workout and weights rather than longer runs on the treadmill. But so far this January has been so warm that there hasn’t been any ice!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:54 pm

      Our weather has really been all over the place this year! Im hoping to run outside this weekend since its been awhile.

  9. Ana says

    January 19, 2018 at 11:16 am

    I’m saving this for future cold days!! I never know what to do when it’s so cold, so I get lazy.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:55 pm

      It really can be hard to get motivated when it’s super cold out!

  10. Kim Hatting says

    January 19, 2018 at 11:18 am

    As I have said before, I don’t mind intervals on the treadmill because they break up the monotony…and most of my treadmill runs wind up morphing into progressive runs just to get them done 😉 I have not done any serious plyo training for a long time (other than the burpees of recent), that’s something I should add back into my routine.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:55 pm

      I do the same thing with treadmill runs! I usually start out slow and then get faster just to get it done.

  11. Erinn says

    January 19, 2018 at 11:29 am

    I love to do circuit workouts inside when it’s too cold/icy for me to run outside. I will usually get out for at least a walk – even when it’s really cold!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      I tend to avoid being outside (other for running) in the winter but I know its good to get some fresh air and sunshine even when it’s cold!

  12. Teresa says

    January 19, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    I actually love hitting the gym in the winter for a variety of workouts. Will definitely check out the Bosu ball workout! Great ideas Lisa!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 20, 2018 at 5:43 am

      Winter is a great time of year to try some different workouts!

  13. Nicola @ Running Happy says

    January 20, 2018 at 3:41 am

    Some great tips.

    I keep running outside even in the cold, as long as there’s no ice on the ground. But I tend to do more speed work in the winter, it’s quick and gets you warm!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 20, 2018 at 5:44 am

      It’s definitely nice to do faster workouts when its cold out! But like you said, only if there is no ice.

  14. meredith @ cookie chrunicles says

    January 20, 2018 at 9:25 am

    I think ive lost my ability to run outside all winter! I used to be good at dealing with the cold but below 30 this year and I’m totally not interested. Hopefully the super cold is behind us?!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 21, 2018 at 6:01 am

      Yea this winter seemed pretty bad for awhile there! Now that I can run on the treadmill I will probably be avoiding most of those super cold days or any snow/ice. But it does feel good to get outside for a run, so I hope we can continue with some of these above freezing temps!

  15. Renée says

    January 20, 2018 at 12:05 pm

    I’m digging #3 and #5 !!

    I haven’t run much so far this winter. I’m not training (yet) for anything so I’m just trying to keep up my fitness and run when I can. I admit though I’m ready to have a regular running schedule again. I do hope my running will be outside and not on the treadmill though! I’ve mostly been doing spinning as an alternative, and other body weight exercises. I also made a commitment to myself to get 10,000 steps a day. So, no matter the weather, I’m still getting outside.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 21, 2018 at 6:02 am

      It sounds like you have a great plan! I know what you mean about hoping to do your runs outside. It’s good to have the treadmill and other fitness activities as options though!

  16. San says

    January 23, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    It doesn’t go below freezing here in Northern California where I live and so I guess this question was more aimed at people who live in places where it snows 😉
    I do run outside in the winter but only on the weekends, because I refuse to run alone in the dark. So, gym workouts it is for me during the week.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      January 24, 2018 at 5:14 am

      Now that I have a treadmill Ive bene using it on weekday mornings when its dark. I cant wait for it to be lighter out in the mornings but I guess that won’t be for a few months!

  17. Catrina says

    December 13, 2023 at 1:15 am

    While we do escape to South Africa to avoid the European winter, I always used to run outdoors in Switzerland throughout the winter.
    I made sure to get some hills in to keep the body nice and warm throughout the run. It had a similar effect like the intervals that you suggest! Great advice!

  18. Deborah Brooks says

    December 13, 2023 at 8:18 am

    Cycling is always my back up on a bad weather day! I am very grateful to have options

  19. Rachel says

    December 13, 2023 at 2:59 pm

    I’m trying to run outside as much as possible this winter. I typically tend to choose the treadmill and lifts/bootcamp during the winter, which are great, but my mileage usually takes a nosedive! When it gets icy I’ll definitely try some of these workouts!

  20. Jenn says

    December 13, 2023 at 8:46 pm

    You know, a good Bosu workout sounds amazing. I have access to one now and might need to adjust my gym session.

    Personally, I am able to run outside all winter. For us, it’s almost worse in the summer with heat and humidity.

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This morning’s run was an adventure with bugs ev This morning’s run was an adventure with bugs everywhere, lots of mud from all the rain we’ve had, overgrown trees blocking the sidewalks, and 93% humidity. Better than wind and ice I guess! Did you deal with anything annoying on your run today?

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