December begins tomorrow.  You know what that means – things are about to get chilly. Your diet is most likely headed south.  Holiday dinners and parties are slowly taking over the schedule.  This is a tough time of year for staying in shape; especially with the forthcoming New Year’s Resolution to fall back on.

In the spirit of DoGoodedness, I want to offer up some ideas on how to keep your activity level up without resorting to the obligatory gym membership.  First of all, these jokers are expensive.  Secondly, the amount of power wasted at most workout facilities is astronomical.  Between the plethora of flat screens and rows of electricity sucking machines (that utilize little or none of the human power they induce), it is tough to see the environmental good that comes from these places (note: there are some exceptions).

If you have been following my posts, then you know that I love tying the DoGoodedness ideals together with one concept.  This is why I am a big fan of turning exercise into usable power for your home.  I have assembled a few of these options below as well as some easy, effective methods to keep you going when the climate isn’t cooperating.

Bicycle Generator

The Bicycle Generator is one of those “I wish I had thought of this” products.  This is essentially a bicycle stand that uses a generator motor instead of a flywheel for resistance.  Just about any bike will attach to this device, and it is easy to store when not in use.  My bike trainer already gets plenty of use this time of year, so it would be great to actually do something with that expended energy.

Human Power Generator

The Human Power Generator is a handy contraption that adapts to a couple of different uses.  Set it up for a recumbent-bike style workout or use your upper body to crank the handles.

With any power generating device, you will have to find a battery and charge controller in order to actually harness the power you create.  The easiest way to do this is through the manufacturers of the generators.  I recommend a portable battery unit so you can use the electricity all around the house.

Non-Motorized Treadmill

For all you runners, walkers, and joggers who need to move your workout indoors, give the human-powered treadmill a look. Here is an energy-neutral device that moves entirely on your motion, saving quite a bit of electricity.  A typical treadmill uses approximately .75 kilowatt-hours worth of power during a 30 minute workout, which could light up your Christmas tree for about six hours.  If you are looking at getting a treadmill for your home, please consider a motor-less model like this one.

more traditional options…

And here are a few that have stood the test of time.  These are some cheap, simple, and effective ways to keep your activity level up.

Jumping Rope

If you want a great cardio workout without fighting the elements, let me re-introduce you to the jump rope.  This childhood staple (well, at least in my day) is a fantastic way to get the heart rate up and burn some calories.  If you want a manly upper-body challenge, get yourself a heavy rope.

The Kettlebell

This little monster may not look like much, but it is a portable and versatile way to get in a quick workout.  As Josh, at World’s Strongest Librarian, will tell you; the kettlebell is a great tool that you can use pretty much anywhere.  Turn your lunch breaks into a full body workout with these and other exercises.  Not convinced?  Check out Josh’s guest post on NerdFitnes for a little motivation.

Body Weight Circuits

If you are looking for a great cardio workout but don’t have a lot of space at your disposal, try body weight circuits.  No need to go out and buy a bunch of free weights.  By stringing together various body weight exercises with minimal time between, you can get a complete workout in minimal time.  Check out this link for some great routines.

…or just wear more clothes
If none of these options sound very enticing, then you can always tough it out and stay the course through winter.  Just make sure you have appropriate clothing for the conditions.

All the Best!

Matt

Please feel free to email me: Matt@DoGoodedness with any comments, suggestions, or ideas.

photo courtesy of mysza831 via flickr