It’s easy to fall into a sedentary lifestyle during the winter. The cold weather makes the great outdoors less inviting, and you may feel that all you want to do is cuddle up on the couch after work. However, keeping active during the winter is important for your mental and physical health. If exercise has been sporadic so far this winter, now is a great time to reset! Figure out a form of exercise that you enjoy, and that will be achievable for you to keep up with through rest of the winter.
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Need some fresh ideas? The Front Royal area has some great options for indoor and winter-friendly activities that will get you up and moving. Read on for tips for staying active through the winter in Front Royal.

1. Join a Gym
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With unpredictable weather conditions making it difficult to maintain an outdoor exercise routine, winter is a good time to join a gym. Going to a fresh new place to work out can help with motivation. So can working with a trainer, or signing up for an exercise class. Paying a gym membership gives you an additional motivational boost. If you’re money’s going towards your membership every month, you’re more likely to get out the door and use it.
 
You’ll find several fitness gyms in Front Royal. If you’re interested in CrossFit, try Battlegrounds Fitness or Rugged Terrain CrossFit. Both are conveniently located right in Front Royal, and offer the camaraderie and exceptional training that have made CrossFit popular across America.
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Fitness Evolution and Anytime Fitness are traditional gyms with a range of standard gym equipment. Classes and individual training are available at both.
 
If you can’t fit in frequent trips to the gym, a membership could still be a good fit. Front Royal’s gyms offer virtual training. On the days you can’t make it to the gym, you can have the convenience of working out at home with the accountability and expertise of a professional coach. The best of both worlds!
 

2. Play an Indoor Sport
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​Some people find that working out is just . . . too boring! If playing a sport is more up your alley, winter can be a great time to explore indoor sports. Front Royal’s Dominion Health & Fitness Center is worth checking out. In addition to standard gym facilities, the center has an indoor pool, racquetball, and indoor tennis courts, as well as wallyball and basketball. Get involved in a sport you can play all year round!

3. Add Exercise into Your Normal Routine
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If you’re not interested in structured gym workouts or sports, it’s still important to make some exercise a part of your life. For winter exercise success, look for ways to weave exercise into your normal activities. For example, when shopping, you might park at the far end of the parking lot. This article has some great tips for incorporating more exercise – even if you don’t have much time and money to dedicate to it.
 
One advantage of a small town like Front Royal is that many stores and restaurants are within walking distance of each other, especially in the historic downtown area. Next time you’re planning to run errands, see if you can’t figure out a route that minimizes driving, and increases walking. Getting outside and moving, even for a short time, can improve your health and your mood! In inclement weather, even walking around an indoor location such as a grocery store can be helpful.

"Functional Yoga can improve your daily life" - Wildfire Yoga. You can become calm, centered, and rejuvenated with yoga. Don't worry if you've never tried it, it's good for all levels of fitness and ages. It can improve your balance, flexibility, and strength. This practice can also improve pain levels among seniors, menopausal symptoms and more! The increase in energy and relaxation might be just what you need after a stressful 2020.

Wildfire Yoga offers in studio classes, private lessons, and online classes. 

5. Reward yourself!
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For some of us, the enjoyment that we get from exercising combined with the health benefits, is enough of an incentive to keep us going through a long winter. For others, getting motivated in winter is just . . . hard. If you fall into this second category, why not give yourself some kind of a reward to help make it through those tough days.

Set your own standards to challenge yourself and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. For example, you could treat yourself to a coffee on Main Street on Fridays if you have completed three workouts during the week. Or promise yourself a fun movie night at home if you’ve met your exercise goals.

For home bakers, consider patting yourself on the back by trying out a recipe for a healthy treat. You can indulge a little bit without undoing all of your hard work! Front Royal’s own Rugged Terrain Crossfit has a page with recipe ideas that you can enjoy without bringing on a sugar crash!

With the COVID-19 crisis, many kids have suddenly found themselves doing school from home for the first time. If your family is in this situation, enrolling the kids in some programming outside the home is a great way to help them make this tough adjustment. You’ll find several great youth programs in Front Royal, ranging from fine arts to swing dancing!
 
Whether you’re looking for ways to help your children navigate COVID-19, or simply hoping to help them develop new skills and interests, Front Royal has something for you. Your children can develop new skills and make some new friends at the same time! Here’s our list of all the things kids can do in Front Royal!
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1. Bust a move in Front Royal!
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Have some dancers tapping their toes at home? Jig n Jive is a dance studio in Front Royal that offers dance classes in a variety of styles, including Irish, swing, and flamenco. With program offerings for ages 2-99, there’s something for every member of the family here!
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2. Get Artsy in Front Royal!
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For kids seeking a chance to develop artistic talent, there are two great options in Front Royal. The Studio on Main Street offers weekly art classes for ages 5-12. All abilities welcome! Budding sculptors should check out the regular Kids Clay Camps at Explore Art and Clay.

3. Get Fit in Front Royal!
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Getting up and moving around is especially important for growing young bodies. If school has been unexpectedly cancelled, you’ll want to make sure that your kids still get a chance to run around and use their energy (for your own sanity as well as theirs!).
 
If you’re looking for a kids’ fitness program in the Front Royal area, Battlegrounds Fitness is a great place to start. This CrossFit gym provides kids with a fun introduction to fitness that will keep them coming back for more. They have a super winter camp this is packed with exciting fun and fitness, perfect for children ages 5 - 12 to enjoy their winter break and to stay active and fit! Get your kids moving their climbing wall, obstacle course, fit and fun activities, and more! It will fill up fast, so don't miss out - sign up today!
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4. Become a Team Player in Front Royal!
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If your child is wants to play a team sport, they should have a chance to get involved in Front Royal. You’ll find a variety of youth sports leagues going on in town. Check this page to see the range of sports available and get started. COVID policies vary by sport, so you’ll need to contact the organizers of each sport for fully updated information.

Your kids can flourish in Front Royal! With a wide variety of exciting youth programming options, you should be able to find something to match their interests. Don’t wait to check out these fantastic local opportunities. Many offer one-off sessions, so you can make sure the program is a good fit before committing. There’s really nothing to lose by giving it a try!