Winter Work Out: Turn Your Hoboken Apartment into a Dance Studio
Forget working out outside in this weather. Just Dance! - with the Wii
It's been snowing. It's been cold. As someone who works from home, I have no real reason to go out there. I also hate the idea of walking home from the gym, sweating but at the same time freezing, which is an easy way to get sick.
So how are you supposed to get in a winter-time exercise? My answer to the constant barrage of storms and below-zero temps: Dancing. In your living room.
You might remember my post a few months ago about the fitness benefits of dancing, although this time I'm not doing it in bars with friends. I'm alone, in front of my television.
Ever since my cousins got them for Christmas, I've been completely addicted to the Wii games Just Dance and Just Dance 2. We spent the entire week between Christmas and New Year's Eve dancing around my parents' living room. Then I went out and got my own copies for my apartment. Perfect timing, considering how often we've been snowed in lately.
The games create head-to-head competition a la Guitar Hero, but instead of rocking out, you're doing the running man (and just about every other dance move you can imagine). They're so much fun because you don't have a trainer or someone intimidatingly ripped telling you what to do or how many calories you're burning. You can literally get lost in your workout, having fun the entire time.
The first time I tried it I expected it to be fun but easy. I was wearing a sweater and corduroys. That was not smart. After two songs I was dripping in sweat. I'll never make that mistake again.
Our dance offs last more than an hour and leave me feeling more accomplished than a typical trip to the gym. The songs—old favorites, such as 1980s tunes and current hits—are ranked by difficulty and effort required. Sometimes it seems like if you get too into a song, you earn less points. Who cares, you'll burn more calories.
Playing solo? Try Just Sweat, which is included on Just Dance. Just don't forget to have a water bottle nearby. And I highly recommend inviting your downstairs neighbors up to join, they might not appreciate an hour of stomping to the beat.
