When the weather turns foul like last week and it is cold, wet and windy, indoors is the place to be.
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But that does not have to mean you are glued to the lounge and TV. You can still find plenty of variety for your health and fitness program in the great indoors.
One option is climbing. Harnessing up and scaling to new heights at an indoor facility has more benefits than just being warm and dry. It is a whole body workout.
The Forum, at the University of Newcastle, has one of the tallest climbing walls in Australia.
It springs upwards to 18.5 metres and offers over 30 climbing routes.
When I spoke to Katie McHugh from The Forum last week she told me rock climbing had plenty of benefits and you don't need to be super-fit to do it.
"Rock climbing is pretty user friendly all-year round, especially the indoor rock climbing option," Katie said.
"A lot of people enjoy the exhilaration of being in the outdoor elements but they can bring it inside and evade some of the big costs that are attached to doing the outdoor option.
"It's definitely a total body workout. Both your upper and lower body muscles are challenged. You're forced to engage through your core, your quads and your calves to stabilise while you're doing the upper body work with the climbing."
Climbing can also help increase your range of motion and flexibility.
"Unlike running, you're using muscles in a completely different way, navigating your way though the different courses," she said.
"When running you're basically doing one motion, which is great for cardiovascular fitness and fat burning. But with rock climbing there is a bit more range of motion, flexibility and agility attached, working through the different planes of the body."
While there is the obvious benefits of improving overall muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, climbing is also a workout for the mind.
"It's challenging your grey matter as well," Katie said.
"It's boosting the brain function because you've got to navigate your way through the different obstacles and every time you climb you have to navigate a new position and decide the best placement for your hands and feet without falling."
Anyone over eight years can try rock climbing at The Forum facility but you need to be 14 to belay, which is the support person at the bottom of the rope.
Staff man the climbing wall between 5.30pm and 8.30pm every Monday and Wednesday to offer advice and support but Katie suggested bringing a buddy because depending on numbers staff may not be able to belay.
There are also individual tuition and group booking options and rock climbing can be used as a team building exercise for sporting clubs, community groups or workplaces.
As with most things, the more you climb the stronger and fitter you will become.
So if you are looking for something new to try this winter or a warm and dry place to get a workout on a rainy day, indoor rock climbing might it.
Upcoming Fitness Events
Raffertys Coastal Run, Lake Macquarie, July 13: This event features 12km, 22km and 36km trail runs through Lake Macquarie and along the stunning coastline of Catherine Hill Bay and the Munmorah State Conservation Area.
Winery Running Festival, Hunter Valley, July 20-21: This annual event offers a range of distances to conquer including the kids' 2km, 6km, 10km, 21.1km and the inaugural moon marathon of 42.2km, which can also be done as a relay.
The Bloody Long Walk, Newcastle, July 28: A 35-kilometre walk from Belmont to Newcastle beach to raise funds and awareness for Mitochondrial Disease.
Winter Workouts Week #2
This high intensity workout comprises 40 seconds working then 20 seconds rest for each exercise. Repeat each set three times. So six minutes for each set and a 30-minute total workout.
Set 1: Squat with press, using kettlebell or dumbbells; bent-over rows with weight.
Set 2: Box jumps (adjust the height to suit your ability); kettlebell swings.
Set 3: Mountain climbers; skipping (this could be rowing, cycling, running at the gym).
Set 4: Walking lunges with overhead weight; medicine ball slams.
Set 5: Ab rotation with weight; glute bridge.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Renee Valentine is a writer, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.
