Top 10 Indoor Exercises to Try This Winter

When winter rolls around and the stress of the holidays set in, it's no wonder why many of us (especially in colder climates) tend to become seasonally depressed. However, just because you cannot hit the pool with the kids or take your morning jog around the neighborhood does not mean that you should give up on your exercise routine. There are many fun ways to stay fit while staying indoors and who knows you may even make some friends along the way!

1.) Mall Rat- Yes, I said it, become a mall rat. No, it does not have to involve hanging out with surly teenagers who get dropped off by their parents or a large amount of money, but rather a great aerobic exercise. Many malls even have a walking group that meets several of times per week to get their walk on while engaging in conversation. The best part of walking at the mall instead of outdoors? Restrooms and water are always just steps away. In addition, if by the end of your walk, mall businesses have opened for the day you can visit health retailers to check up on your weight or blood pressure without ever stepping foot in a doctor's office. What's even better? You and your new friends can enjoy a nice low calorie frozen yogurt from the food court without ever leaving the mall. How's that for an indoor workout?

2.) Zumba- If you like to spice things up, Zumba may be the answer to your winter blues. Many people from all walks of life are getting into this aerobic dance craze, not only because it's a fun and beneficial one hour workout, but also because it's offered practically everywhere. From health clubs, to schools, to employers, it seems like wherever there is a building someone is teaching Zumba there these days. If getting your groove on infront of others is not your thing, they also offer DVDs for purchase so you can learn in the privacy of your own home.

3.) Spinning- Spinning is so much more than just sweating it out on a stationary bike, it is a total experience. It involves varying paces and challenges that you simply may not be able to convince yourself to do on your own. Your instructor may even give you a glimpse back into your childhood by motivating you with statements like "You're racing your older sister, she's yards ahead of you, faster, faster...she's going to win". Okay or maybe not, but you get the picture. Spinning is a great workout and if you're extra motivated you can do it at home using your own stationary bike and DVD.

4.) Swim- Swimming isn't just for summer, most gyms, community centers and public schools have indoor pools available for public use. Typically there are designated "lap times" where you can go and swim laps in the pool for a calorie burning workout. If you like swimming to be a little more interactive, a family swim night may be more of your thing where the entire family can have fun and get some exercise. Lastly, water aerobics are a great way to get a total body workout, especially if you have underlying health conditions or injuries that make traditional exercise difficult.

5.) Indoor Sports- Most of us have atleast one sport that we like or um, er, can tolerate participating in and that's where indoor gymnasiums come into the picture. Many gyms, community centers and even schools have open hours in their gymanisum, where you can freely play whatever game you'd like. Whether you want to teach your kids to play basketball or engage in a fun game of thirty-something kickball, indoor sports are a great way to have fun, decrease stress and burn some of those extra holiday calories.

6.) Pilates-You've probably seen the infomercials, and it's no wonder, pilates is becoming more popular by the minue. Like Zumba, pilates seems to be offered in many locations in most cities so finding a convenient time slot is quite easy. Even though, it may not make you sweat like spinning, it provides overall toning and flexibility that nothing can match. You can even order DVDs and a yoga mat and you have an instant pilates studio right in your living room. Voila! Enjoy your dancer like body!

7.) Exercise TV- Whenever you're channel surfing, you probably come across a fitness channel or two along the way. Luckily, these channels offer 24/7 workouts that range from Yoga to Kickboxing so you'll never get bored. You can even find these workouts on many popular video sharing websites if you happen to not have cable or want to redo your last workout. The best part? All you need to do is get up and do it, this cost is minimial and after some trial and error, you'll probably find something that you enjoy! See, television is not just for couch potatoes after all.

8.) Stairs- This one's pretty practical and especially beneficial for people who simply don't have time to workout. Take a moment and think about how many times you use the elevator at work or school per day. Now, simply take the stairs instead of using the elevator and you've instantly burned hundreds or even thousands more calories a week without even setting time aside to work out!

9.) Clean- Face it, visitors love to drop by during the winter months and nothing is more embarrassing than having an untidy house so keep it clean! By vacuuming, dusting, mopping, scrubbing, etc. several times a week you can really burn a lot of calories while also making your home look even more welcoming.

10.) Second job- With the economic downturn, many of us have experienced cuts in our pay and benefits so a part-time job can be a big help. Try looking for a part-time job where you will not only earn some extra cash for the holidays but also get a good workout. Whether you decide to stock during the evenings at your local grocery store or waitress on the weekends at your favorite italian restaurant, getting a part-time job can really help your figure.

Phew! If that did not give you an idea or two, I do not know what will! Whether you're a stay at home mom or a busy professional, there's no excuse to become as thick as your favorite wool sweater this winter. Follow one, two or maybe even three of my suggestions and there will be no reason to get "swim suit ready" in the spring!