BoomerGirl Diary

During the winter months, Molly Roth would like to hibernate.

"I think of sitting by the fireplace, sipping a chai latte," Roth says. "It's unhealthy for me, physically and mentally. When I workout, I feel much better about myself."

Roth exercises three times a week at Body Boutique, a women-only gym. Indoor classes allow the mother of three to workout even when she doesn't want to leave the house.

"I have to fight off those winter blues," Roth says. "I dislike the cold, but going to Body Boutique helps keep that strong mental well-being."

A change in season, a change in routine

During the summer, Roth will hit the bike trail, run and go to the park. In the winter, she says it's even harder to get the kids off to school and out the door to the gym. Roth takes fitness classes in the winter including Pilates, Boot Camp Cardio and Ball Blast, a medicine ball workout.

Other classes offered in the winter at this and other fitness centers include step, conditioning, aerobics and kickboxing. Don Booth, of Premier Martial Arts, says because of a combination of movements, boxing and kickboxing can be good indoor cardiovascular workouts.

"[Martial arts] is something you can do year round," Booth says. "When you're getting into a program like this, not only are you getting in shape, but you're also learning some practical self-defense too."

Booth recommends martial arts courses for those looking to increase strength, conditioning and flexibility. Separate classes are available for adults and children, so for someone like Roth, who brings her children to the gym, they can have an activity as well.

"We try to keep our classes exciting," Booth says. "If fitness isn't fun, you're not going to stick with it."

Calming choices

For indoor activities, some people prefer a more restful pastime such as yoga or Pilates. Molly Roth says her Pilates class is very calming compared with other activities.

"The Boot Camp [cardio class] is very uppity with louder music and activity," Roth says. "The Pilates slows my heart rate down and focuses more on me."

Staci Wittenberg is the owner of BodyWise Stott Pilates. Most of Wittenberg's classes are private or small groups. This, she says, helps people in the winter overcome the urge to stay inside and skip an appointment.

"If they didn't have a one-on-one appointment, they might blow it off." Wittenberg adds, "even though they know they're seeing results, it is hard to get motivated to workout, especially when it's cold outside."

But most people don't blow off their appointments, in fact Wittenberg says she sees a sharp increase in her clientele during the winter months.

"I find that in the summertime they have more to do with the kids," Wittenberg says. "I have a lot of walkers and swimmers who enjoy their times outside and they tell me, 'I'm not as concerned about working out, but you'll see me again in October'."

Tracey English, director of marketing and wellness for Body Boutique and an instructor, says their membership base also grows in the wintertime.

"It's too cold to run; it's too cold to bike," English says. "Going to the gym is kind of an escape because it gets your heart pumping and your adrenaline going."

English's business also offers less intense, winter-friendly treatments such as a eucalyptus steam room, a dry sauna and a whirlpool spa.

These kinds of services and more also are available at spas and therapeutic massage clinics. Brenda Lehman, the owner and an esthetician at Body and Soles, says it's especially important in the winter to have good dermal health.

"Our seaweed wraps help moisturize when it's really dry in the wintertime," Lehman says. "Same with the body peels. You can get rid of the dead skin and stimulate the cell metabolism."

Lehman says this detoxification is an important part of health in the winter.

There are plenty of reasons for exercising and staying fit in the winter, but nobody promises that it will be easy. Roth continues her winter workout routine despite all the dreams of just sitting by the fire, but she sympathizes with anyone who might have trouble being motivated.

"When I workout I feel much better about myself," Roth says. "But in the winter I'd rather kick my feet up."