Although we encourage all-weather running here at Great Run, we know that it can be hard to motivate yourself to get outdoors when the days are wet and cold nights start drawing in.
And if you’re injured and temporarily unable to get out for a run, it can be especially difficult to keep your fitness motivation up – never mind your strength and stamina.
For that reason, we’ve put together our best indoor workout tips, so you can stay active and motivated, even when the weather – or your body – isn’t playing ball.
Ready? Let’s go!
7-minute HIIT blast
Most of us know that HIIT (high intensity interval training) is a great option for indoor workouts, but did you know you can do a HIIT workout in just seven minutes? All you need is a chair, a wall and your own body weight, so it’s low-prep as well as quick. Just Google ‘seven minute HIIT’ and you’ll be well on your way (although psst – you really need to repeat it two or three times to get maximum impact – but that’s still only 21 minutes tops!)
Kettlebells
Kettlebells are one of our favourite bits of workout equipment here at Great Run. Unlike a bench and barbells, they don’t take up much room – you can squeeze them under your bed or into a cupboard if you need to – but they still pack a serious punch. As you use them for swings or deadlifts, their centre of gravity shifts, forcing your body to use different groups of muscles.
Workout videos
Once upon a time, in a pre-internet age, if you were looking for a workout, you were limited by your DVD collection. Today, YouTube is packed with exercise videos of all kinds – from yoga and Tao Bo, to pilates and dance. You can search according to your mood, your level of fitness and the kind of improvements you’re trying to make – looking for more flexibility? Increased strength? Better cardiovascular fitness? Or simply something fun and different? Just click.
Gym balls
Gym balls deserve a special mention for at-home workouts because their unstable nature means that even sitting on them is a fitness challenge. Your muscles are forced to constantly adjust in order to stay steady – so why not replace a chair and try watching TV or working while sitting on one? The ultimate at-home exercise: minimal effort, but super effective.
Head for the gym
You don’t need a gym membership to work out, but it can give you an extra boost when the weather’s poor or you need to go steady while you recover from an injury. Try the treadmill at a 1% incline or the cross trainer if you’re looking to avoid the pounding of the streets. There are plenty of other low-impact machines to choose from – rowers, bikes, step machines etc – if your body needs a break but you’re determined to keep your fitness up.
