How to Stay Active in Michigan Winter: Indoor Workouts & Activities

The winter season in Michigan can feel long and relentless, with snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and shorter days often keeping people indoors for weeks at a time.

However, staying active during Michigan’s coldest months is essential not only for your physical health but also for your mental health. While outdoor activities like skiing, and ice skating are popular options, sometimes you simply do not want to stay outside.

Fortunately, Michigan offers plenty of indoor activities and fitness options to help you stay fit and energized all winter long.

Here are some of the best ways to stay active indoors during the Michigan winter season.

Find Your Zen In the Snow

Yoga can be an indoor activity to maintain your physical and mental health during winter. Many Michigan yoga studios offer a variety of classes, from relaxing gentle flows to intense power yoga sessions.

Some popular yoga studios to check out around Michigan include:

• Detroit: Detroit Yoga Lab offers a mix of traditional and modern yoga practices, with heated and non-heated options.
• Grand Rapids: Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse is known for its welcoming environment and various classes for all skill levels.

Many studios also offer virtual classes, so you can practice yoga at home if you’re not in the mood to venture out into the cold.

Gym Options

If you prefer a more traditional workout, Michigan’s gyms and fitness centers offer ample opportunities to stay in shape indoors.

Here are a few Michigan gym chains and local options:

• Planet Fitness: With locations throughout Michigan, Planet Fitness is an affordable option with 24/7 access. You can get a full-body workout on their cardio and strength machines or join a group fitness class.
• Life-Time Fitness: This luxury gym offers a variety of amenities such as indoor swimming pools, racquetball courts, and fitness classes.
• MVP Metro Club: This gym offers more than personal training. You can take tennis or pickleball lessons, among other things.

Many gyms offer trial memberships or online options for working out from home, which is perfect for when it's too cold to leave the house.

Indoor Swimming Pools

If you’re looking for a low-impact workout, swimming is a fantastic option to stay active during Michigan’s winter months. Many community centers and gyms in Michigan offer indoor pools that are open year-round, where you can swim laps or take water aerobics classes.

Popular indoor swimming pool options include:

• Detroit’s Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) Aquatics Center offers lap swimming and water fitness classes.
• The City of Grand Rapids offers year-round swimming classes and water aerobics.

Indoor Ice Skating Rinks

While ice skating is often associated with outdoor rinks like Rosa Parks Circle, several indoor rinks around Michigan remain open year-round.

Here are some indoor ice skating rinks that stay open throughout the winter:

• Griff's Icehouse at Belknap Park

• Patterson Ice Center

Indoor Climbing

Climbing is another great way to stay active indoors during Michigan’s long winters.

Check out these indoor climbing gyms:

• Higher Ground Rock Climbing Centre (Grand Rapids)
• Planet Rock (Madison Heights, and Ann Arbor): Offers bouldering and roped climbing, as well as yoga classes to improve flexibility and strength for climbing.

Dance Studios

If you prefer something more rhythmic, Michigan’s dance studios provide a fun way to burn calories and stay in shape during winter. Whether it’s ballroom, hip-hop, or jazz, dancing is an energetic way to get your body moving while having a great time. Many dance studios also offer virtual classes, allowing you to stay active without leaving the warmth of your home.

Michigan dance studios to check out include:

• Dance Detroit: Known for its variety of dance styles and fitness-focused classes.
• Over The Top Academy of Dance: From classes for your little ones to classes that express your femininity, there is a dance class for you.

Winter in Michigan doesn’t have to mean hibernating on the couch. There are plenty of ways to stay active indoors and keep your fitness goals on track, from yoga studios to swimming pools, climbing gyms, and dance studios.