Winter sucks

There’s no denying it. It can really suck to leave your house and work out in the winter.

You know what also sucks? Working out when it’s 95 degrees and humid.

The point is there’s always going to be reasons not to work out. Don’t let the weather be one of them.

“Just don’t make excuses,” says Lonnie Watts, program manager for group exercise with the Milwaukee YMCA. “If you are serious, be serious.”

You can find more on this topic in (ahem) the new issue of Milwaukee Magazine. In the meantime, here’s some tips and ideas from Lonnie to get you started.

Q: Workout facilities are getting increasingly sophisticated and creative. It’s no longer just about parking yourself on a treadmill or taking basic step aerobics. What kind of new workouts, technologies do you offer?
A: We have a new belly dancing, hip hop dance, contact kick boxing and advanced yoga classes that are really popular. Based on the needs of our population we’ve also developed a class base that has a shorter time frame. The classes are focused on taking away the frills and focusing on movements that will produce results. This is still in the development stage, but we are looking at introducing a trampoline class in January.

Q: What are some ways to get going if you’re just starting a workout plan?
A: In the group exercise department we introduce a great deal of starter fitness classes geared more toward beginners in January for the rush of people with new goals for the new year. We also really push our community passes, which allows people who are not members an opportunity to buy a pass to individual classes.

Q: Can you think of any advantages to starting a workout routine during the winter?
A: Most or our participants start their workout plans in the late fall/winter. Some of the obvious advantages are that people spend most time indoors, so they might as well be in the gym. There aren’t as many summertime distractions like festivals, amusement parks, fairs, block parties, etc. People usually slow their life pace down in the winter, which really gives them the opportunity to customize their schedule around their workouts.

Q: Any other advice?
A: The gym will be full when you go in the winter, but don’t let that be a deterrent. Find a workout partner to hold you accountable. Join a group exercise class. That way if you miss people will be looking for you.