Indoor workouts are fact of life for dedicated athletes

Jessica Kochheiser despises the thought of working out indoors.

“I feel like a hamster when I’m indoors, just going around and around,” she says.

Whereas when running outside, Kochheiser, 25 enjoys both sunshine and changing scenery.

Unfortunately, indoor workouts are sometimes necessary, especially in Colorado. And that adjustment often can be more mental than physical.

“It definitely takes a different type of motivation to work out inside,” Kochheiser says. “You have to be more motivated.”

That’s a problem many face when temperatures drop, days grow shorter and snow frequents the forecast. Finding the time — and inclination — to work out is more difficult.

But even elite athletes who prefer to train outside see the benefits of moving indoors.

Matt Carpenter, 12-time winner of the Pikes Peak Marathon and six-time champion of the Pikes Peak Ascent, is one of those workout warriors who fight the winter elements for their daily dose of the outdoors.

“I find inside stuff boring,” the Manitou Springs resident says.

But Carpenter, 48, can’t help but run indoors sometimes. “I believe in using the treadmill for hard stuff, for speed workouts in the winter,” he says. “I want consistency and you don’t get that at the track in the winter with snow, wind and cold.”

Paul Eckstein, 68, a retired heart surgeon, has a gym in his basement and a bike trainer, which keeps his bike stationary while riding indoors.

“I’m sitting on my bike all winter,” he says. “When you’re indoors, it’s important to get your mind off of it. I listen to podcasts, watch football, movies, reruns. I’m watching ‘Modern Family’ now.

“Most people buy exercise equipment and never use it. Most people join a gym and don’t go. It’s a different mind-set than being outdoors.”

Fred Smith, 63, said he’s hiked the Manitou Incline more than 70 times since moving to Colorado Springs 2 1/2 years ago but doesn’t mind working out indoors.

“It’s a temperature thing for me,” said Smith, who was stationed in Alaska while in the Army. “When I was in Fairbanks, I ran outside if it was warmer than 20 below. I ran three miles once when it was 36 below.”

When it’s cold outside, Smith often rides a stationary bike and swims at the YMCA.

“It affects me emotionally if I miss several workouts,” he says. “I’m not myself, in a way.”

Kyle Kelly, 50, runs about five days a week but feels it’s OK to take days off.

Kelly and his wife, Judi, have a treadmill at home.

“I love running on the treadmill,” he says. “We open the window so it stays cool in that room — and then we pretend we’re outside.”

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