The weather in my area forces indoor exercise for the majority of the year.
- I live in a part of the country that experiences temperature fluctuations from negative twenty five degrees to the high eighties or low nineties.
We deal with record-breaking snowfall, dangerous windchill, downpours, hail, sleet, high winds and brutal humidity. I’ve set up a home gym that accommodates a beneficial workout. I’ve invested into kettlebells, resistance bands, medicine balls, dumbbells, an incline bench, jump rope and yoga mat. I run on the treadmill multiple times per week. While running involves hard impact on the feet, ankles and knees, it’s also a great way to utilize the whole buddy and burn a tremendous amount of calories. It gets my heart pumping at a fast rate, encourages the lungs to expand and inspires a thorough sweat. Running improves stamina, tones the muscles and helps to alleviate stress. It allows me to clear my head, get into a positive mindspace and benefit from feel-good endorphins. When I run on the treadmill, I have easy access to my water bottle. I can listen to music and adjust the thermostat to my preference. The treadmill offers a variety of programs targeting duration, speed or endurance. I can increase intensity by adding an incline or running faster. By keeping a record of my workouts, the treadmill allows me to compete against my personal best. I like that I don’t need to worry about dressing for the weather. There are no concerns with nasty dogs, traffic or uneven ground. When I am done with a run, I simply step off the machine.