Spring at Northwestern is like an on-again, off-again fling: one week we love it, next week we’re done with it. After months of being stuck in a stuffy gym hiding from the cold, most of us are itching to get outside to workout again. While we flip-fop between working out in the gym and kicking it outdoors, here are some tips to make the struggle bus of springtime at NU run a little smoother.
For those days when it’s just too cold outside/weather stinks…
- Machine hop!
Instead of trudging away on only the elliptical for 30 minutes, try 10 minutes on the bike, 10 minutes on the elliptical and then 10 minutes on the treadmill.
- Listen to podcasts!
Spotify is my life-saver at the gym, but sometimes I like to switch it up. If you’re an iPhone user, swipe over to the Podcast app and browse around! Podcasts are educational, fun to listen to and make the time fly by. Personally, I love listening to “This American Life” and “Death, Sex & Money.”
- Bring a friend and DIY!
Sometimes the thought of just using machines at the gym makes me not want to go. Grab a friend and go on Pinterest or look at Manon’s article for a fun workout — then DO IT! It’s much more interactive and it spruces up your gym routine!
For when it’s nice out, go on a run! Bring a mat and do yoga on the Lakefill! Or even download a fun app like Zombies, Run! (it’s a game where you have to run away from zombies. How cool is that? It’s complete with narration, music and works at any fitness level!) If you are venturing outdoors, just make sure to bundle up. It’s not quite “spring” yet in Evanston – but will be soon!
Photos courtesy of istockphoto.com, giphy.com, thisamericanlife.org, and play.google.com.