Keeping It Moving: 8 Ways to Make Indoor Workouts Social During Cooler

As temperatures drop and daylight hours dwindle, staying active can feel like an uphill battle. The cozy couch, a warm blanket, and binge-watching your favorite series might seem like the best ways to spend chilly evenings. But there’s a way to stay fit, energized, and connected with friends—even in the colder months! With a little creativity and the right tools, you can turn your indoor workouts into social, energizing sessions that keep you moving all winter long. And one of the most engaging ways to do this? Fitness games like BoardGains, designed specifically for social workouts.

So, let’s dive into some fantastic ways to keep workouts fun, social, and sustainable when the weather keeps you indoors!

1. Host a Fitness Game Night with BoardGains

Why not turn your workout into game night? BoardGains is a fitness board game that combines fun, fitness, and friends into one activity. Each player rolls the dice and completes exercises that vary in intensity, making it ideal for different fitness levels. It's an interactive way to bond, get moving, and keep each other motivated.

What’s great about BoardGains?

It’s versatile, offering both high and low-impact options.
Encourages friendly competition with your workout buddies.
Keeps things fresh and unpredictable, so you don’t get bored.

Whether you’re gathering with family or friends, BoardGains offers a fun, unique approach to fitness that makes the winter months fly by.

2. Join (or Start) a Virtual Workout Group

Not everyone lives close enough to meet up for regular workouts, but virtual workout groups solve that problem! Thanks to apps like Zoom, Google Meet, and specific fitness apps, you can work out together without needing to be in the same room.

Tips for a successful virtual workout group:

Schedule weekly or bi-weekly meetups to stay consistent.
Try themed sessions, like "Abs & Arms Mondays" or "Stretch It Out Sundays."
Use shared playlists or work out videos to keep everyone in sync.

When you see friendly faces pushing through the same workouts as you, it’s a lot easier to stay motivated!

3. Create a Monthly Challenge with Friends

Friendly competition is one of the best ways to stay motivated! Set up a monthly challenge with your friends, like a squat challenge, push-up challenge, or even a steps challenge.

How to set up a monthly challenge:

Decide on a goal (e.g., 100 squats a day, 10,000 steps a day).
Use a tracking app like Strava or MyFitnessPal to record progress.
Check in on each other, share tips, and celebrate small victories.

You could even award small prizes at the end of each month to the person who sticks with it the best. It’s a great way to stay connected and accountable.

4. Try Group Fitness Classes – Even from Home!

Group fitness classes are an excellent way to socialize and stay motivated. Many fitness studios now offer online classes, so you can join in from the comfort of your living room. From HIIT and Zumba to yoga and pilates, there’s something for everyone.

Why online group classes work:

You still get the group energy and instruction.
Classes are usually scheduled, which helps with consistency.
It’s easy to invite friends to join, even if they live far away.

If you want to keep things extra social, join a class with a friend and keep each other accountable!

5. Go for Indoor Walking Meetups at Malls or Gyms

Mall walking groups may sound a bit retro, but they’re a great way to stay active and social. Many malls and large buildings even open early just for walkers! And if you have a gym with an indoor track, you and your friends can walk or jog there together.

Benefits of indoor walking meetups:

You get a good dose of movement without the cold.
Walking at a mall can turn into a coffee hangout afterward.
It’s easy to chat while you walk, making it both social and active.

Sometimes, simply moving together in a comfortable environment can be the perfect mix of social and fitness.

6. Make It a Friendly Competition with Fitness Apps

If you and your friends are on the competitive side, fitness apps that allow you to compare stats and set challenges are a fantastic option. Apps like Fitbit, Apple Health, or Strava let you track each other’s progress, create leaderboards, and set weekly or monthly goals.

How to keep it engaging with fitness apps:

Set a shared step count goal for the week.
Compete for the most calories burned or distance covered.
Send each other encouragement (or light-hearted smack talk) through app messages.

Using fitness apps keeps everyone connected and committed, even if they’re working out solo.

7. Try Partner or Small Group Workouts

If you’ve got a workout buddy or small group of friends, partner workouts can make exercise a lot more fun. You can motivate each other, try new routines, and even make a plan to rotate who leads the workout each week.

Fun partner workout ideas:

Bodyweight exercises like planks, squats, and lunges.
Partner stretches to end your session with some relaxation.
Circuit workouts where each person completes a different station and then rotates.

By adding a social element, you’ll be far more likely to stick to your routine. Plus, you can laugh through the hard parts together!

8. Embrace the “Workout Buddy” System with Accountability Partners

Sometimes, just having someone check in on you is all it takes to stay consistent. Find a workout buddy, whether they live close by or are in another city, and set up a schedule to check in on each other. Share your goals, updates, and even frustrations to keep one another motivated.

Accountability partner tips:

Set a regular check-in day each week.
Send each other workout selfies for extra motivation.
Plan to celebrate your milestones together, even virtually.

This simple system keeps you connected and accountable to your goals, making it harder to skip a workout.

Wrapping Up: Winter Workouts Don’t Have to Be a Solo Journey

Just because it’s chilly outside doesn’t mean you have to hibernate until spring! By turning workouts into a social experience, you’re more likely to stay active, have fun, and maybe even form closer bonds with friends. Whether you’re using BoardGains to bring a game element to your workout, setting up virtual groups, or challenging friends with fitness apps, staying social is the key to sticking with your fitness goals—even in the depths of winter.

So grab a friend, roll the dice, and keep moving! After all, fitness is more fun when you do it together.

FAQs

Q: Is BoardGains suitable for all fitness levels?
A: Yes! BoardGains is designed to be adaptable, so you can adjust the intensity of exercises based on your fitness level, making it perfect for beginners and advanced users alike.

Q: How often should I do these social workouts?
A: Aim for at least 2-3 times a week, but you can adjust based on your schedule and fitness goals.

Q: Can I do virtual workouts with people in different time zones?
A: Absolutely! Just find a time that works for everyone or record the session so others can join in later.