Stay Sexy Even on a Rainy Day!

Jogging is definitely one of the most preferred modes of exercise these days, but with this weather and coconut trees bending over 90 degrees…maybe not. The howling wind and the pouring rain can instantly change your mind about working out. Excuses start forming in your head such as, “Oh, I’d rather sleep in” or “Maybe I’ll just jog on a sunny day.” But that’s no excuse to settle for being a couch potato! Despite the only workout space you have being indoors, there is still a lot you can do to keep your blood running and your muscles pumping!

Groove to the Hottest Beats

Dancing is one of the most fun ways to break a sweat, and a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to let loose, let your hair down, and let the music carry you away! Not only will you have the time of your life, but you also get to burn down those calories.

The music you listen to while working out directly affects your performance! This is the main reason why you need a great playlist filled with upbeat tones or calming ones, depending on your workout of choice. But if we’re on the subject of dancing—or cardio in general—here are some tunes that can get your heels kicking!

Hip-Hop

Get your Catdaddy on and tune in to the beats of Hip Hop music. Groove to the sounds of Wiz Kalifa, KanyeWest, Far East Movement, Jay Sean, and Flo Rida. This music is perfect for slow abdominal workouts such as crunches. Push-ups and squats would also go pretty well with this music.

Pop

If you’re in the mood for a full-blast workout, then a pop playlist is the best option for you. Break a sweat as you sail to the sounds of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Beyonce, and maybe even a bit of Nicki Minaj. Their lively beats and melodies are sure to uplift the spirit and give you the much-needed energy you need to combat this sleepy weather.

Rock

For hardcore workouts, rock music is probably the best to have in your playlist. Pump it up with a bit of Rage Against the Machine, Dubstep, KISS, and other forms of loud, electric guitar laden music. This is the perfect set of beats to sweat it out with your punching bag, or for hardcore jumping rope training. This playlist is also the perfect accompaniment to weight lifting and other routines that demand a lot of strength and endurance.

Resistance Training

Another way to keep the calories burning while indoors is through resistance training. This form of exercise demands a single position, but with most of your ligaments working; meaning, you put your arm and leg muscles to good use while maintaining a single position.

The equipment needed for this kind of exercise can come in different forms, but most of them contain an elastic or hydraulic form of tension to provide the resistance needed. The focus of this training is mainly for muscular purposes, so it is recommended to engage in this after your cardio exercise.

Strength training is another term used for resistance training, and in this form of exercise, each exerted effort is performed against a certain force that is opposing the general direction. If performed properly, this can yield to highly satisfactory results and significantly improve one’s entire well-being.

According to the American Sports Medicine Institute or ASMI, resistance training is usually performed in order to “gradually and progressively overload the musculature system so that it gets stronger.” Apart from this, further research also tells us that even the simplest form of resistance training can tone and strengthen your muscles, and also increase your bone mass.

The recommended equipment for this sort of training is the resistance band, which is an elastic band that you can use in different positions for a more dynamic training session. Though this should not be confused with weightlifting, which is more of a sport, resistance training is for those who simply want to get a body that is more toned and not really bulk up on the muscle.

Fitness Apps

Smartphone users also are in luck! There are also a number of fitness applications available for you to download and exploit. These are pretty nifty to have if you are on the go, and would like to do some simple exercises right at the comfort of your home. Perfect for those rainy days when jogging is not an option. These applications will surely keep your health in check, and not give you an excuse to lounge around and break your exercise routine.

My Fitness Pal

This application is perhaps the most popular fitness app because it is an amalgamation of everything related to health and fitness. My Fitness Pal takes note of the calories you consume, and also gives you the number of calories you burn after every exercise.

A workout selection is also provided with the respective number of calories each one burns, ensuring that you know what you are consuming and what you are sweating out. It’s a brilliant application that is perfect for the health-conscious.

Nike Training Club

What better way to get fit than by the fitness brand itself? Nike Training Club is one of the best workout apps there is. It comes with a variety of exercises determined by your objective—do you want to get lean, toned, strong, or focused? There are also instructions on how to do each workout the proper way, with visual representations that allow you to monitor your positions and your performance.

What’s cool about this application is that there is a win-win strategy employed by Nike for those who are serious about getting fit. Aside from receiving encouraging notes from fitness celebrities, you also get a chance to win exclusive Nike merchandise.

Pocket Yoga

For those who prefer a chill round of yoga, Pocket Yoga is the perfect application. With over a hundred workouts complete with voice-over and peaceful music, you’ll surely reach a level of Zen with this unrivaled application. Perfect for a rainy day if getting in touch with your inner chi is the best way to break a sweat for you.

Household Items for Toning/Strength Training

If you are in need of some equipment such as weights but the weather is preventing you from getting hold of any, then you can make use of some household items that will work to the same effect!

One of the most common ways of making “instant” weights or dumbbells is to fill up an empty 1.5 liter soda bottle to the weight you desire. Do the number of reps you need, and you can be assured of the same results you would expect from the usual dumbbells.

Another way to make use of some existing household space is by using the stairs. Run up and down for 5-10 reps while pumping your arms, and you’ll feel the effect on your arms and legs. This form of training not only adds to strength, but also to endurance. It’s hitting two birds with one stone.

Long Stretching

Stretching is also very important before any workout because it loosens your muscles and keeps your blood flowing. During a rainy day, it is essential to keep your body fit despite the weather, and stretching is one of the simplest ways of ensuring that your body is working the way it should be.

A scientific explanation will tell us that the benefits of stretching involve the improved circulation of both blood and oxygen in our body. Apart from this, stretching also helps prevent most musculoskeletal injuries by making most of our body’s soft tissue less likely to tear and overstretch.