Originally published on washingtonindependent.org.
For those who love cardio, staying fit can be a challenge during winter. It’s so taxing, in fact, that fitness expert and licensed trainer Eugene Pallisco often sees people abandoning their fitness goals altogether around the end of the year.
The thing is, that kind of withdrawal usually occurs because people aren’t sure how to keep their heart pumping and burning calories even when it’s freezing outside. In response, Eugene Pallisco is eager to help you stay on task with these incredibly effective indoor cardio workouts that you can take on at any time of year and in any kind of weather!
Treadmill Intervals
It’s not surprising that treadmills see a lot more traction during colder months. They’re an easy way for you to control your workout environment, and they still provide you with a good amount of cardio.
Nevertheless, if you really want to maximize your sessions, Eugene Pallisco recommends incorporating interval training, which involves alternating between high-intensity activity and lower-intensity moments of recovery. An example would be warming up with a five-minute walk, then alternating between one minute of sprinting and another two minutes of walking for roughly twenty minutes in total.
Stair Climbing
Fewer people have access to a stair machine at home, but you can still get in some stair climbing if you have stairs in your home. Climbing any set of stairs engages multiple muscle groups, including your glutes, quads, and calves, which makes it an effective calorie-burning exercise.
Approach stair climbing as you would treadmill intervals. Start by climbing at a steady pace for five minutes as a warm-up. Then, increase the intensity by sprinting up the stairs for thirty seconds, and follow that up with one minute of recovery. It’s an exercise that builds both strength and endurance, which is why Eugene Pallisco recommends it for staying active during winter.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope is an often overlooked cardio workout that is not only enjoyable and effective but has a low barrier of entry as well. All you need is one piece of equipment, and you’ll have access to full-body cardio workouts that can improve both your coordination and agility. Jump-roping is also an ideal cardio workout for those in smaller homes or apartments.
Challenge yourself with jump rope intervals, jumping at a fast pace for thirty seconds, then taking 30 seconds to rest. Rinse and repeat for another fifteen minutes or so, and you’ll have done an intense workout.
Circuit Training
Circuit training combines various indoor workouts to target different muscle groups and build strength. Eugene Pallisco even believes it’s wise to set up a circuit with the first three exercises, alternating between jumping rope, stair climbing, and using the treadmill. You can also add jumping jacks, push-ups, or squat jumps, whatever you’d like to break up the monotony that can set in with indoor workouts.
Winter Workouts to Can Keep You on Track to Reach Fitness Goals
Just because it’s snowy and dreary out doesn’t mean you can’t still feel the burn. Eugene Pallisco believes that incorporating these indoor workouts into your fitness regimen can help you stay healthy throughout the winter season. You might even find that you enjoy some of them more than you do your summer cardio!
About Eugene Pallisco
Eugene Pallisco works in Dallas, Texas. Pallisco is dedicated to assisting people in discovering joy and freedom in the movement of their bodies, whether through high-intensity or long-distance cardio, weightlifting, or sports training. He believes that everyone can change their body into a strong, healthy physique with the appropriate mindset, patience, and effort.