Embracing fall fitness despite the Knoxville cold 

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How to stay active while keeping warm.

Plummeting temperatures and shorter days can cause even the most resolute athletes to hibernate. Yet while motivation may wane, there are still plenty of opportunities to get a successful workout in. Sometimes switching up a fitness routine calls for creative approaches, and in Knoxville the community offers diverse indoor options. 

Fitness Classes 

HYLO Fitness

HYLO Fitness, located on Kingston Pike, offers a variety of classes and a dynamic range of intensity levels. It’s all in the name. “Hy” High intensity classes here include challenging weight-lifting and cardio-heavy H.I.I.T workouts while “lo” low intensity classes include hot yoga and pilates movement-centered activities. 

UT student Bridget Sevec, avid HYLO H.I.I.T. workout enjoyer, shares her positive experience.

“I started HYLO once running outside became unbearable for me. Overall, I’ve had a great experience. The trainers really do push me. I am also able to meet other UT students, I know a bunch of them also workout there. The classes make me feel accomplished,” Sevec said. 

 

TRECS

In the spirit of sharing the fitness community with your peers, there are cheaper and more inclusive activities students can partake in. On campus, TRECS offers a diverse range of classes. If you're a cardio enthusiast, you can choose from kickboxing or cycling. For a more relaxed and enjoyable workout, consider joining a TRECS dance class! There are also options focused on strength training and mind-body wellness for group sessions. Plus, TRECS provides access to personal trainers, who can be easily scheduled through their website. Be sure to check out the fitness center’s fall schedule, now available online for students to explore!

 

HotWorx 

Heat up and zone out with a solo HotWorx yoga session! Located conveniently in the UT Commons shopping center, this hot yoga studio offers a perfect escape from school stress, just a short walk away for students.At HotWorx, you can follow guided pilates or yoga workout videos in your own personal sauna, enhancing relaxation and detoxification. Plus, members can also enjoy heated cycling and H.I.I.T. classes.With a monthly membership, you'll have access to these invigorating sessions, making it an excellent choice for staying active and healthy during the colder months. Embrace the heat and find your zen!

HotWorx member and UT sophomore Ella Renk provides some insight into these workouts. 

“I think working out in the sauna alone is the best way to reconnect with and ground myself before a tough school week - as cheesy as it sounds. I really like the ‘Hot Pilates’ and ‘Hot Core’ classes,” Renk said.

She is quick to add in the most important part of working out here in the colder months: the satisfying warmth. 

“And it is perfect when it’s freezing. It’s like the cold motivates me to go to these sauna classes more.” Renk said. 

 

Get creative!

Reconnect with your inner child and ignite your holiday spirit with good old-fashioned ice skating. This fun-filled activity may leave you feeling tired and more sore than you anticipated after a day on the rink with friends. In fact, ice skating makes a fantastic workout. 

In an interview with Vogue, Peter Zapalo, director of Sports Medicine for U.S. Figure Skating, flaunts the benefits of ice skating. 

“It has cardiovascular benefits as it trains both your aerobic and anaerobic systems, and it’s a fantastic overall body challenge to your core, your balance, your coordination, and your posterior chain,” Zapalo said.

Head to Ice Chalet, an ice rink off of Kingston Pike, and enjoy a fun full-body workout. 

For another non-tradition workout, check out Kickboxing! Let out your fall semester frustration whilst trying something new at Bullman’s Kickboxing on Kingston Pike. Attend Kickfit programs for any fitness level and maybe you will find your new favorite workout…or at least learn some self defense. 

The National Institute of Health performed a five week study on kickboxing, finding that it improves upper-body strength, aerobic ability, anaerobic fitness, flexibility, speed and agility. This is an exciting twist on getting active that many students may find beneficial for their overall physical health. 

 

The benefits of indoor workouts

Convenience and concentration can be expected when taking time for yourself indoors. Transferring your exercise inside can eliminate distractions — whether it’s the weather that pulls your attention away or outside interferences from other students. In a controlled environment, you can fully immerse yourself in your workout, allowing for deeper focus on your form and technique. The serene atmosphere of an indoor studio also fosters mindfulness, helping you connect with your body.

Consistency, the key to maintaining perfect physical health, goes hand in hand with indoor workouts. Students may find themselves setting aside more time for a workout class or kickboxing session as they seek an energizing escape from the cold weather. Not to mention consistency reinforces motivation, making it easier to stay committed. Simply put: once you start, you can’t stop. Maintaining a successful workout regimen that is also enjoyable can improve even the coldest of the fall-winter months. 

Curate and keep up a successful routine utilizing these options this fall. Stay warm and in shape while pursuing local activities that elevate your fitness journey!