Top 10 Indoor Exercise Ideas for Winter

Winter is upon us and it's not a good time to venture out in the cold to get fit so we have to make adjustments in our workout routine. The routines I'm about to share with you are good the year throughout, but especially essential for winter, as you are now barricaded indoors. When performing your exercise, count only to five reps at a time, and then start your count over...only up to five. It's easier to count to five and do it three times. After you've counted to five three times you've done fifteen reps! Psychologically it's easier to count to five...you have to trick your brain.

1) Edge of the Bed Sit Ups: No one likes to do sit ups for a number of reasons; they are uncomfortable, you don't see the results for a while and...well, they are uncomfortable! I found that it's much easier to sit on the edge of the bed to do sit ups. It's less (almost none) strain on your back, and in time, you will see the results in the mirror. I do my sit ups right after I wake up and before my brain can figure out that I'm doing something painful...heh, heh....silly brain.

2) Lean on the Sink Push Ups: It's much easier to lean on the sink in the bathroom and do push ups than to get down on the floor and do them. Use the five count method here as well.

3) Small Dumbbell Curls: If you don't already own a pair of 5 lb or 10 lb dumbbells, now's the time to get some. These are easy to use and easy to store. Dumbbell curls will give your biceps a nice tone and fit look when you do a lot of reps....no five counts here. Do as many reps as you can on each arm, feel the burn...then do it again.

4) Walking/Marching in Place: This can be done while watching TV and it's a great way to burn off a lot of calories. You can also do this to music but the music is actually more suited for #5 below.

5) Dancing: Whether you dance by yourself or with a partner, this is a great way to stay fit and shed some calories while indoors. Turn up the music and get your groove on!

6) Hula Hoop: I recent bought a Hula Hoop by Hoopnotica and let me tell you...what a work out! This can be done in the living room or family room, as a little more space is needed. I Hula Hoop in my garage, have to pull one car out when using the garage, but it's totally worth it.

7) Wii Fit Plus: This is the next generation gaming console by Nintendo which encourages players to get active by playing motion-based games and toning exercises in their living rooms. This will improve everything from your core strength to your athletic ability and coordination. I enjoyed the bowling tremendously. Afterwards it felt like I had a real work out, and guess what...I did!

8) Windmills: This can be done with a stick or broom placed behind your head; with your arms up and draped over the stick or broom, rotate your torso by turning your upper body in a twisting manner. This works your external oblique muscles to the max.

9) Stretching: I find that stretching is very important and often overlooked. Stretching can be done easily on your floor or on your bed. Stretching while standing helps relax the leg and back muscles. Not much space is needed to stretch.

10) Yoga: Here's a form of stretching and meditation combined. Various methods of yoga exist, find one that suits you best and add this to the top 10 exercises the can be done indoors during the winter.