When the weather outside is frightful, the team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City doesn’t blame you for wanting to stay indoors. But remember, if you stay indoors more because you aren’t a fan of the cooler weather, you still need to ensure you are getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. Bringing Your Exercise Routine Inside Now, before you start thinking that you need to add an entire new room to your home, let us stop you right there. You don’t need to have a gym inside your home in order to have an efficient work out. Adding a few inexpensive items to your home or wardrobe can make all the difference! First, you want to make sure you have a mat. Whether your home has carpeting, tile or hardwood, a mat will allow you to be able to have a more balanced workout routine. A good mat is able to absorb the shock from your body’s routine, which helps to lower your risk of injury. Second, be sure to still select the appropriate footwear for your workout routine. Depending on the type of activity you’re doing, you may need a supportive shoe or you may only need socks. But you’ll want something on your feet to protect them from the floor. Finally, don’t forget your water and your towel. While you might not be at the gym, you are certainly creating a gym atmosphere in your home. Therefore, you need the ability to cool down with sips of water and a towel in between exercises. You Have Your Workout Gear—Now What? So now that you have all the items that you need to get started, what are you going to do to exercise at home? Some people go straight to the DVDs. Between yoga, Pilates and Zumba, there are so many options when it comes to what type of workout you want to do at home. Try out a few that you feel the most comfortable with—and don’t start at the most extreme level. Begin with a beginner’s DVD, and work your way up! Magazines can also provide different workout ideas that you can do from home. Many of these routine ideas have you repeat the exercises three times, so they can make for a great workout while cooking dinner or even during the commercial break of your favorite show! Finally, don’t be afraid to invite some of your friends over and have a group workout session at home. Instead of a potluck of food, everyone can bring one of their favorite workout routines. That way you’re able to try a number of different activities on for size! Don’t Let the Cold Weather Scare You Off Too Much While working out at home can definitely help you keep up with your exercise goals during the cold months, sometimes you just need that fresh air. Try to venture out once a week or every other week to Fountain City Park for a walk or jog with your favorite furry friend, or take a hike (literally) at Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park. Is an illness keeping you from your workout routine? Visit AFC Urgent Care Fountain City today so that we can get you back in good health again!