The winter months are approaching fast, and with the mounds of snow and sub-zero temps that are about to bombard us Michiganders, a “beloved” hobby of many college students is about to become a thousand times harder: working out.
The tricky business of finding what to do and where to do it and which outfit now revolves around the freezing temperatures and potentially icy/snowy/otherwise dangerous streets and outdoor spaces.
So how to navigate this challenge? Give up working out altogether? Maybe… just kidding, of course not (even though it’s really tempting)… Here are the insider tricks on how to make your winter workout as smooth and painless as possible (at least getting to the workout).
1. Invest in a drawstring bag – Although this purchase could hardly be considered an “investment,” it will truly change your winter workout. When en route to whatever yoga class, pick-up basketball tournament, or indoor soccer game you have planned, stick all your essentials in the drawstring bag while you trollop over in your parka and snow boots.
2. Under Armour is your friend – For the brave souls who find the motivation to pound the pavement (or snow, rather) during the winter months, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with Under Armor. It’ll be the best winter-weather performance shirt in order to protect yourself from the harsh wind.
3. Hit the gym at off hours – Now that students are confined mainly to indoor workout spaces, spots on treadmills, tracks, elipticals and so on are prime real estate. In order to maximize your workout time, aim to hit the gym at low-traffic hours. For example, plan to workout at say 9 am, before your first class, or at 1 pm, just before you have lunch. In general, the gym tends to fill up around 4 pm, when students are finishing class, but be sure to test it out yourself! Each gym’s busy hours vary, and aligning your ideal workout schedule with these hours will take some trial and error.
4. Seek out new spaces – A good deal of cool workout spaces go largely unused across campus. Take a moment to consider using these overlooked spaces such as: dance studios in university residences and apartment complexes, yoga studios, local rock-climbing spots, and tracks/running paths/football fields at local parks.
5. Pick up a new sport – With a snowy new terrain at your disposal, now is a good a time as ever to try out a new sport, such as skiing, snowboarding, or ice-skating – a fantastic way to develop new talents and ramp up a workout that was all-too predictable in the summer months.