If there is one thing that I absolutely despise, it’s having to force myself out of bed in the morning, especially when it’s cold outside. But as a self-proclaimed fitness freak, morning workouts are an absolute must. So, when I heard there was a way that I could get in my morning workout without having to compromise my sleep, I had to give it a try.
Previous to starting “Cozy Cardio”, the idea of at-home workouts took me back to 2020, when I spent my early mornings sweating on my bedroom floor while a Chloe Ting video played in front of me. Now, rather than being fueled by insecurity and self-hatred, my home workouts provide me with a much-needed break in my busy schedule whilst still allowing me to stay active. “Cozy Cardio”, a fitness trend that originated on TikTok, essentially allows you to ease yourself into a workout routine by utilizing everyday objects in your home to make your workouts more enjoyable.
Rather than having to gather up the courage to head over to your laughably packed college gym and pray that you find a treadmill to get in your thirty minutes of cardio, save yourself the trouble and do it at home! “Cozy Cardio” enthusiasts have made fantastic use of walking pads and even stairways or hallways in their home to get their steps in while they pop on their favorite comfort show. Not only does this method save you an immense amount of time (and money), but it also allows you to wake up comfortably to avoid drastic cortisol spikes.
For me, this meant starting my day with soft stretching and yoga in my living room and then transitioning to some sit-to-stand squats (using my couch as a base) as well as some cardio in my backyard. During this, I’d put on one of my favorite podcasts and allow myself to comfortably ease into my day. Some other fun elements to implement into your “Cozy Cardio” routine could be to light a candle and keep your house lights dimmed to maintain a softer atmosphere or even provide yourself with some healthy snacks to keep yourself fueled during your workout!
Still not ready to fully dive into your fitness journey? That’s okay! Why not try implementing even smaller aspects of fitness into your routine? With many people working on a hybrid schedule, think about investing in a standing desk to keep you on your feet for most of the day. You could also join in on the iconic “hot girl walk” trend in which people use their free time to take a little stroll around their neighborhood (while wearing a cute matching set, of course!).
Unlike the majority of fitness trends and diets, something unique about “Cozy Cardio” is that it doesn’t advocate for extreme and unattainable intensity. This trend is extremely doable and can provide health benefits for any person, no matter where they are in their fitness journey. Starting your days with “Cozy Cardio” can also help you gain more confidence in yourself if you have been too intimidated to join a gym. But most importantly, this trend reminds us that exercise is supposed to be enjoyable! Allow your movement and sweat to remind you of the gratitude you hold for your body and all that it does for you everyday. I promise you, with “Cozy Cardio”, fitness has never been this fun!