03/11/2025 by Taylor Holston
We all know that staying active is essential for both physical and mental health. However, it isn’t always possible — or ideal — to spend time outside. Staying indoors doesn’t have to mean staying sedentary, though. There are plenty of fun and creative ways to keep your body moving inside the comfort of your own home!
At North Country HealthCare, we encourage our community to prioritize movement in ways that feel enjoyable and sustainable. Here are some ways you can stay active indoors and keep your energy going strong all year long:
Dancing is one of the most enjoyable ways to get your heart rate up; it doesn’t even feel like you’re exercising! Whether you follow along with a YouTube video or just freestyle to your favorite songs, dancing improves cardiovascular health, boosts your mood, and helps relieve stress. Video games like Just Dance can provide some fun structured routines if that’s something you crave or you can just let your body move how it wants to move!
Finding it hard to dedicate a chunk of time toward a workout? Start using commercial breaks to your advantage! Get your body moving by marching in place or taking laps around the house (bonus points if you put stuff away while you’re doing this). If that doesn’t feel like enough of a workout, you could do jumping jacks, squats, or planks while you wait — it might not seem like much, but a few minutes here and there can add up quickly!
Stretching first thing in the morning helps to loosen up stiff muscles and improves flexibility, making the rest of your daily movements feel easier. Try a simple five-minute routine with toe touches, side stretches, and spinal twists. You don’t have to do anything too complicated or push yourself too hard; just incorporate slow, gentle movements. Adding in some deep breathing can also set a calm, energized tone for the day ahead.
If you have a mini trampoline, bouncing for just a few minutes a day can boost your energy, improve circulation, and strengthen your leg muscles. Rebounding (the official name for this type of workout) is also great for your lymphatic system and can help with balance and coordination; two very important things to focus on as you age. Try alternating between high knees, jumping jacks, and side-to-side bounces for a full-body workout.
Video games aren’t just for sitting on the couch anymore! We mentioned Just Dance above, but there are lots of other games designed to get you up and moving! Interactive fitness games like Nintendo Switch’s Ring Fit Adventure, Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Sports, or Knockout Home Fitness are designed to turn movement into a fun challenge. These games can be surprisingly effective at getting your heart pumping!
As you have probably realized, housework can easily double as a workout! Activities like vacuuming, scrubbing floors, rearranging furniture, and even cooking involve movement that burns calories. Take your chores to the next level by putting on some upbeat music and treating your “to do” list as a workout session. Yes, you might get a little sweaty but you can praise yourself for a job well done… times two!
No equipment needed for this one, just throw some punches in the air! Shadow boxing is a great way to work up a sweat while improving your coordination and endurance. Once you get the hang of it, you can add in some footwork and uppercuts to make it a bit more challenging. If you prefer to follow a structured workout, there are plenty of free videos online that can guide you through basic boxing moves.
For a lower-impact option, try doing some chair workouts! Simple moves like seated leg lifts, chair squats, and arm circles help improve strength and mobility, especially for those who need a gentler approach to exercise. Resistance bands or small hand weights can add an extra challenge if you want to step things up a notch.
Hula hooping isn’t just for kids! It’s an excellent way to engage your core, improve coordination, and get your heart rate up. All you need is a hoop and an open area away from any breakable items. To start, try setting a timer to see how long you can keep the hoop going. Then, challenge yourself every day to try to break the previous day’s record! There are also hula hooping videos on YouTube that you could watch to learn new tricks and techniques.
The internet is full of free or affordable workout classes to suit every interest, like Pilates, kickboxing, barre, and more. Trying something new can keep indoor exercises from feeling boring and it can help you stay engaged. North Country HealthCare encourages movement that feels enjoyable, so experiment with different activities until you find one that excites you!
Staying active indoors doesn’t have to be a challenge — it just takes a little creativity. The key is to find activities that you enjoy so that movement becomes a regular and rewarding part of your day. We are here to support you with resources to keep you and your family healthy.
If you’re looking for additional ways to improve your health this year, consider scheduling a checkup with North Country HealthCare. Our providers can help you set achievable health goals and develop a plan that fits your lifestyle. Let’s move toward better health, together!
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