January can be a tough month for runners. You feel motivated and pumped about the new year, but a lot of us are waking up to icy sidewalks and frigid temperatures. Sometimes this translates to a gym membership and a lot of time staring at a treadmill monitor.
Don’t end up in a rut. If you’ve joined a gym, remember that there are tons of activities available beyond the treadmill. Get the most for your money by mixing it up with these alternative workouts.
- Hit the weights. You don’t need to be a body-builder to benefit form a little weight work. Squats and lunges with light dumbbells are a great place to start.
- Run some laps. Lots of gyms have a nice, synthetic track that you can run on. It’s a closer simulation of outdoor running than a treadmill and can be surprisingly fun.
- Go for a swim. Swimming is one of the best cross-training activities there is. Even if you’ve never swam laps before, you might be surprised at how quickly you end up feeling like a pro. (A little pool work can also give you the confidence you need to tackle one of those triathlons that always catch your eye…)
- Take a class. Most gyms have all sorts of classes and organized activities taking place throughout the week. Pick something that interests you — dance, martial arts, yoga, spinning — you name it. You’re already there…might as well take advantage of everything the place has to offer!
Haven’t joined a gym? Be sure to check out our Bootcamp app for a bunch of full-body circuit exercises that can all be done right at home.
Readers, how about you? Any favorite gym activities that you’ve been enjoying lately?
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