Indoor Sports To Play In Winter

Let’s face it, not all of us are built for winter. And that’s okay! 

There are plenty of wintertime outdoor activities out there, but for those of us who don’t enjoy the cold there are still many opportunities for fun and exercise. 

Here are some cool individual and team activities that will keep you entertained all winter long. And the best part? They’re all indoors where it’s warm and cozy!

Indoor sports to keep you moving in the winter

Individual indoor activities

Indoor cycling

We’re talking about indoor track cycling here, not stationary cycling (although that’s also a great activity!).

Track cycling is a little less common because it requires a special indoor track — called a velodrome — with certain specifications for cyclists to ride on. If you have a velodrome nearby, however, track cycling is the kind of fast-paced cycling you’ve been dreaming of!

Track bikes are built for speed and resilience and are equipped with aerodynamic frames and ultra-light equipment. Cyclists can either train as a recreational activity or for competition, and velodrome races are quite the sight to behold! Either way, it’s a fun activity that can transfer well to regular cycling or mountain biking come spring.

Swimming

Swimming as a physical activity does wonders for our bodies. It’s a cardio sport that keeps your heart rate nice and high without putting your body through some of the more vigorous stress that running or walking will, and it utilizes muscles all over the body that are otherwise not used together in other cardio activities.

Whether you’re swimming for exercise or swimming for fun, the activity has a certain meditative side to it that many find relaxing. Lap swimming doesn’t require much concentration and allows your mind to rest even while your body is working, and if you’re not much of a people person, then swimming gives you all the isolation you’re looking for! Plus there’s always a nice, hot shower to look forward to before heading back out into the cold outdoors

Many gyms have indoor swimming pools, and there’s likely one not too far from where you live! 

Bowling

As The Dude once so famously said, “Strikes and gutters, ups and downs.” Winter is an obstacle we may have to deal with, but it doesn’t mean it’s all gutters and no strikes. There are some bright spots to every season, and bowling can certainly be one during those cold, dreary days. 

Bowling may not be a tough physical workout, per se, but heading out for a game or getting involved with a league is a great way to be out and about during the winter months! It’s a sport you can play alone, too, if you want to catch up on some podcasts or playlists. 

Trampolining

Whether you’re attempting triple-flips or just bouncing for fun, trampolining is an exhilarating activity that’s suited for a wide range of ages and experience levels. As a workout it puts your body through strenuous cardio activity without the physical impact force that jogging or running does, and as a recreational activity it brings out that inner child that once spent hours jumping on a trampoline at all hours of the day. 

Find more information on the physical and mental benefits of this bouncy activity here!

Team indoor activities

Squash & badminton

Both squash and badminton are exclusively played indoors with 2-4 players, making it a perfect winter activity for a small group of people. 

Squash is played in a closed box court that allows the ball to bounce off the walls, requiring players to remain light on their feet and respond with quick reflexes — a great mental and physical activity that will wear you out quicker than you can imagine!

Badminton is also a racquet sport, but it’s played by hitting a light, net-like ball called a shuttlecock over a net suspended in the middle of a court. This sport has been around for over a century and is a popular activity for players of all levels of experience!

Badminton and squash courts can usually be found at gyms, community centers or fitness clubs, so check in your area to try one out this winter!

Futsal

Futsal is the indoor sport for all us die-hard soccer enthusiasts who want to keep our skills up during the chillier months. 

Played on a hard court with a slightly less-bouncy ball than regular soccer calls for, futsal is a ten-player sport (five players per team) that follows similar rules to soccer, with inspiration drawn from sports like basketball, water polo and handball mixed in. It’s fast-paced and high-speed, too, with plenty of focus on footwork and dexterity.

Finding a futsal league during the winter months is a great way to keep busy, social and active!

Dodgeball

Dodgeball is a classic indoor activity that’s not just easy to play, but also easy to set up. After all, if our P.E. teachers could set up some awesome dodgeball games in the gym on a whim, then we can, too!

Find a gym (get permission to play, of course), acquire some balls, gather some willing participants (this isn’t middle school anymore, you CAN choose to not play), and go crazy!

Martial arts

Whether you’re brushing up on the karate you took as a kid or are learning some pertinent self-defense skills, martial arts is an activity that has a wealth of mental and physical benefits. Plus, classes are widely available all over metropolitan areas, so it’s easy to find a class time that fits with your schedule.  

Climbing/bouldering

Climbing and bouldering can be done both indoors and outdoors, but climbing in the winter months can be great preparation for potential outdoor climbing in the summer! 

The climbing community is a tight-knit and adventurous one, and getting involved in the sport can be a great way to make new friends. It’s also an activity you can do on your own at the climbing gym, though, so don’t feel like you need to be a social butterfly to send it up that wall.

Have fun, and good luck!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/Kai_NITEandDAY