As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, staying active can become a little more challenging. Spending less time outdoors can make it tempting to skip your daily movement. Incorporating indoor workouts is a simple way to keep your body moving throughout the colder months. Exercise doesn’t always have to take place in a gym or studio. Whether you prefer cardio, yoga, or bodyweight exercises, there are plenty of ways to stay active in the comfort of your own home. These workouts can be tailored to your space, schedule, and interests, making movement feel more manageable and consistent. Here are a few indoor workouts to try when you’re looking to stay active this November!
Cardio Without a Commute
For cardio at home, all you need is yourself and a little bit of space!
Some options include:
- Jumping Jacks
- Jumping Lunges
- Squat Jumps
- High Knees
- Mountain Climbers
- Lateral Shuffles
Try choosing a few of these exercises and performing each movement continuously for a set amount of time that feels comfortable for you. Take a quick rest between exercises, then repeat the circuit as desired. This creates a fun and effective workout that gets your heart pumping without having to leave home!
Get Strong, Stay In
For strength training at home, you can use your body weight to perform a variety of movements that target different muscle groups. This allows you to build strength right from home without needing a gym membership or a lot of space. Challenge yourself and your muscles with these modifiable exercises!
Upper-Body Options
- Push-Up or Knee Push-Up
- Pike Push-Up
- One-Legged Push-Up
- Elevated Pike Push-Up
Lower-Body Options
- Bridge
- Squat
- Chair Squat
- Stationary Lunge
- Kneeling Squat
- Overhead Squat
- Single-Leg Bridge with Leg Extended
Choose a few exercises from each category to create a well-rounded strength workout. Complete each exercise for a set number of repetitions that feels comfortable, take a short rest between movements, and repeat the circuit as desired. These exercises allow you to build strength while staying active in the comfort of your own home.
Core Strength, Right at Home
When it comes to core workouts, there are plenty of exercises you can try to challenge your muscles and build stability. These movements are easy to incorporate into your existing routine and require very little equipment.
- Dead Bug
- Advanced Bird Dog
- Forearm Plank
- Side Plank
- One-Leg Forearm Plank
- Crunch
- Bicycle Crunch
Select a few of these exercises and combine them into a simple, core-focused routine that works for you! Complete each movement with a focus on proper form and controlled movements, taking time to rest between exercises.
The Full-Body Burn
Looking for a workout that targets multiple muscle groups? Full-body exercises are another great way to stay active at home. Here are a few options to try:
- Superman
- Bird Dog
- Advanced Bird Dog
- Plank to Downward Dog
- Inchworm
- Bear Crawl
Combine a few of these movements to create a full-body routine that you enjoy!
Staying active throughout the year doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym. Your workout routine can be simple, flexible, and tailored to your preferences. Whether you’re completing a cardio, strength, core, or full-body circuit, there are plenty of ways to keep moving and make exercise work for your lifestyle. As the colder months approach and the holiday season gets closer, find activities you enjoy and create a routine that feels manageable and consistent. Remember, you don’t have to leave home to get moving!
Written by GUADS intern Ava with contributions from healthline.com
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