5 Places to Run Indoors That Aren’t a Treadmill

By Na’Tasha Jones, Co-founder and Chief Content Officer, RUNGRL

As fall fades into winter, cooler temperatures and less-than-ideal running weather are upon us. While proper gear can protect during frigid outdoor miles, sometimes, you just need to run inside. For many, that means hitting the treadmill for safe, dry and warm indoor running workouts. However, if you’re like me and really struggle with treadmill workouts, you’ll appreciate these five ideas on where ELSE you can run indoors.

Hit Up an Indoor Track

Check local community and recreation centers, as well as universities for open hours to the public. Some facilities will let you purchase a day pass as well, without needing a full membership.

Test Your Toughness in a Parking Garage

Shout out to The Speed Project for this idea! Marjorie Jean-Louis from Montreal on team Yamajo in Montreal recently shared with RUNGRL that while training for the crazy, 340-mile desert relay, she and her team would use an underground parking garage for some of their training runs. It challenged in many ways, including elevation. If you want to give this a try, choose one that is well-lit and be sure to bring a friend or two for safety. (We do NOT recommend doing this alone, ladies!) Ask the parking attendant if it’s okay and go for early mornings before most cars arrive. Additionally, an above-ground deck may not offer the best shelter from the cold but can still protect from wind and rain if it’s pretty nasty out.

Run Laps on a Basketball Court

Does your gym, school or local rec center have a basketball court? Get in some laps around the court to warm up for your workout, or as a way to get out of the harsh weather. Challenge yourself to sprints, alternate which direction you’re running or race the clock to keep things interesting.

Try Indoor Bleachers or Stadium Stairs

Students will have an easier time accessing indoor areas like stadiums, but many local recreation centers have similar bleachers set up indoors. Don’t be afraid to call up and ask about availability, dates and times for public access.

Indoor Pool Running is a Thing

Ok, so it’s not RUNNING, running. But it’s an excellent way to switch things up, stay low impact, work different muscles and still get a crazy good workout. The next time you need a new, indoor place to run, try going for a few “running” intervals in the pool. For example, try one minute running, followed by 30 seconds resting, for 10 intervals. Rest 2 minutes and repeat 3 times. Swimming has been proven to make you a better runner, as it helps you build endurance and work on your breathing while also working on different muscle groups than your traditional run.

Have other ideas on where to run indoors? Share with us your favorite spots in the comments below!