Bad Weather Workouts To Keep You On Your Toes

When the winter weather gets bad, it can mess up your training schedule. All those marathons and runs planned for Spring can end up being put off for yet another year. Slippery roads, snowy hills, and cold rain can turn your favorite pastime into torture. But don’t be put off. There are plenty of great ways you can keep your body in peak condition, no matter what the weather is like outside with some bad weather workout.

If you don’t have a home gym, a serious runner like you should certainly consider one. You don’t need state of the art equipment or even a lot of space. But a good treadmill means you can keep adding the miles to your legs each day. Look at reviews of models like this Proform Pro 2000 review to get to grips with the options available. You don’t need much room, although most manufacturers recommend space for safety.

Beyond a good treadmill, you should also have a high-quality workout mat. Yoga mats are excellent for stretching because they are nonslip and won’t breed bacteria. They roll up and can be taken from place to place easily. When you’re stuck indoors, use your mat for extended stretches. This will keep your muscles toned and flexible. Best of all, you’re still ensuring they receive a healthy blood supply each day. Concentrate on the quads, but give your calves plenty of attention too.

If you have a high ceiling space like a garage, a skipping rope can be a fantastic alternative to a run. It will push your muscles, ankles, and knees harder than a regular light jog. Most importantly it will push your cardiovascular system hard too. Some trainers suggest you should aim for half the time skipping that you would put into running. It’s best to let your body gauge the right amount of time for you.

When the ground is slippery, you could be at risk of injuring ankles, knees, and muscles. If you’re building up for a race, it’s best to avoid this kind of surface. However, there are many running tracks around the country that are kept clear and safe even in winter. If you’re lucky enough to live near one, it’s always worth booking some time in. Track running may be boring compared to a cross country run, but it can be a useful space to clock up some miles.

If you’re looking to develop your strength for hill runs, ascents and descents can be hard to find in winter. If you live in a house with stairs, however, you have the option of training here for a few minutes each day. Carpeted stairs may be quite dangerous without due care and attention. Using a workout step block could be a better option.

What’re Your Thoughts?

It can be heartbreaking to see ice and snow on your regular run day. But there are plenty of other workouts you can put in its place. And if you’re up to the challenge, a snowy hike can certainly be just as exhilarating and fun!