One of the woes of many bike owners is the onset of winter, which can put a pause into your cycling routine. If you live in an area that’s too cold or snowy to continue cycling, you have several fitness alternatives you can turn to if you want to keep fit. Here are five ways you can stay active this winter:
Running
Running may be the bane of many cyclists’ lives, but it’s an incredibly beneficial and convenient workout that you can do almost anywhere. You can easily control the length and intensity of the workout, getting in a quick leg dominant cardiovascular workout whenever you please. If you’re new to running, make sure to start out with a higher number of shorter runs to prevent injuries and build up stamina.
Hiking/Snowshoeing
If you’re looking for a low-intensity cardio workout, hiking is an excellent option that allows you to be active outdoors. Even if the weather is cold and snowy, you can easily bundle on a few layers and visit the nearest trail. If the weather is too snowy for you to hike in regular boots, you can even strap on a pair of snowshoes. This will help you maintain your leg strength through the winter months until you can cycle again.
Strength Training
Strength training is a great way to build muscle and core strength during the cold winter months when you can’t cycle. Whether you choose to go all out and work out in a gym or simply do bodyweight exercises in the comfort of your own home, you can incorporate strength training into your daily routine whenever you choose. If you’re new to lifting weights, you should definitely begin with high volume sets that have a higher number of reps but lower weight. This will help you avoid injury and ensure proper form during the exercises.
Indoor Cycling Trainers
Just because you can’t cycle outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t cycle indoors. Stationary bikes or trainers can allow you to continue cycling during all months of the year. You can either use a stationary bike from a gym or buy a stationary trainer to connect to your bike and hold it in place while you pedal. There are even certain smart trainers you can use to connect to sensors on your bike and control the resistance.
Swimming
Swimming is another alternative to cycling in the winter that you can do no matter what kind of weather you’re experiencing. It’s great in that it’s a full-body exercise, so you can work many different muscles at once instead of just your lower body. It’s also a low-impact cardio workout, so you don’t have to work as much about injuring yourself as you might with strength training.
Just because you can’t cycle doesn’t mean that you have to spend the whole winter sitting on the couch. Any of these activities can help you stay active until you and your bike are reunited.