Beach cricket, outdoor yoga, surfing, hiking in the sunshine – before moving to Australia, you’d be forgiven for thinking that these are the activities the locals are participating in all year round, and in some northern parts of the country, it is pretty accurate.
But for those of us living somewhere with actual seasons, winter can get pretty chilly, and finding ways to move your body can feel like a marathon in itself.
Winter doesn’t have to mean putting your exercise routines or goals on hold, though, nor should it stop you from enjoying the social aspect of fitness. In fact, it’s probably more important to prioritise movement in the colder months where your mood may already be feeling a little lower due to less sun exposure and lack of Vitamin D.
Here are some realistic, student-friendly ways to move your body in the Aussie winter.
Romanticise your exercise routine
When it’s freezing outside, and the sun is already slipping down the horizon at barely 3 o’clock, a walk can sound incredibly unappealing. But (and this goes for exercise in general, not just in the wintertime) one of the easiest ways to stay active in the winter is to make everyday movement something you really look forward to.
Most Australian cities have plenty of walking tracks, waterfront paths and even markets that are honestly way more enjoyable to stroll through on a 10C day compared to a 35C one. Rug up, grab a warm cup of something to keep your hands warm and put on your favourite podcast or music, and let yourself wander for the sake of it. It still counts as movement, trust us.
If you are someone who prefers to track their exercise in some sort of measurable form, but your step goal just isn’t enough to get you out the door, why not try adding some whimsy to your analytics?
Instead of aiming for a 5km walk or a certain amount of steps, try walking until you see 10 people wearing Kathmandu puffer jackets, until you pass your fifth Starbucks cafe, or you count 20 dogs (if you live in Melbourne I’m afraid your walk might be over before you get around the corner, so adjust your list accordingly). If you’re a competitive person, why not set a challenge with a friend? Aim to meet them at a local cafe and whoever spots the least amount of dogs has to buy the coffees.
Find winter activities that suit your personality
If you’re a really social person, look into indoor group-fitness classes, indoor rock-climbing/bouldering, or a sport like squash or badminton. A lot of these places offer discounted student memberships, and they can be a great spot to meet people with similar interests outside of your classes.
If you're someone who prefers to exercise alone, but you really don’t want to venture outside, maybe look at investing in a walking pad. They’re much smaller and easier to tuck away than a typical treadmill, making them ideal for student living, as well as being a lot more affordable (around $150-$300, depending on how much incline/speed you’re after). You could even try the TikTok trending ‘cosy cardio’, where you set up your space in the cosiest way possible (think candles, dim lighting, a fun drink) and powerwalk your way through your favourite cosy movie.
@hope_zuckerbrow Cozy Cardio movie marathon🚶🏻♀️#cozyathome #homeworkout #cardio #cozycardio ♬ vlog, chill out, calm daily life(1370843) - SUNNY HOOD STUDIO
A lot of staying active in winter comes down to making movement something you really look forward to. Whether that’s the act of exercising itself, or the hot shower and cup of tea you know is waiting for you back home. Either way, you know yourself best, so make exercise work for you, not the other way around.
Try geocaching
If you’ve never heard of geocaching before, it’s essentially a real-world treasure hunt using your phone. People hide small containers (called geocaches) in parks, around cities, along walking tracks, etc, and you use GPS coordinates to try and find them. Similarly to the Pokémon Go phase of 2016 (which is still going and another great way to get out and about), the whole idea is about getting people out of the house and exploring the world around them.
@dangitalicia (Part 1) Special guest joining me #geocache #geocacher #geocaches #geocachingadventures #geocacheing ♬ Copacabana Princesinha do Mar - Hebert Soul
Going for a run in the winter, only to come home cold, wet and empty-handed? No thanks. Becoming a modern-day Indiana Jones and discovering hidden trinkets in your local area? Pass us the umbrella and point the way.
Volunteer your way out of the house
You might be thinking, ‘that doesn’t sound like exercise’, but that’s just society conditioning you to think that movement only ‘counts’ if you log it in an app. In actual fact, volunteering can be a great way to stay active without even having to think about it.
Working in a community garden, walking dogs at an animal shelter, or helping out at a foodbank all involve a lot of moving around, often carrying things and spending time outdoors. It’s also a really good way to break up the routine of classes and study while giving back to your local community and meeting people outside your usual social circle.
