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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
I have been showing my treadmill lots of love in the cold! Great winter ideas!
It’s a great option to have when its cold and icy outside!
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…
It’s so nice to be able to do workouts at home!
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.
It’s definitely nice to have indoor options for those days when the weather is really bad!
I like to put my bike in the trainer and do a YouTube spin class–that’s always a way to sweat!
Some of those online classes can really give you a great workout!
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.
So true! And I forgot about hot yoga. I used to love doing that on really cold days.
I still like to get outside and run in the winter. It’s especially nice when there is snow out!
I like running in fresh snow! Not so much when it starts to melt and then freezes over to ice…
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.
There are so many reasons why it’s nice to have the treadmill as an option during the winter!
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!
Our weather has really been all over the place this year! Im hoping to run outside this weekend since its been awhile.
I’m saving this for future cold days!! I never know what to do when it’s so cold, so I get lazy.
It really can be hard to get motivated when it’s super cold out!
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.
I do the same thing with treadmill runs! I usually start out slow and then get faster just to get it done.
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!
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!
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!
Winter is a great time of year to try some different workouts!
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!
It’s definitely nice to do faster workouts when its cold out! But like you said, only if there is no ice.
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?!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
Cycling is always my back up on a bad weather day! I am very grateful to have options
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!
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.