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Do you have to run to get in shape? Of course not. Despite the fact that running is a very effective cardiovascular workout, there are plenty of ways to exercise without hitting the treadmill or taking a jog around the lake as the snow falls. Heck, I didn't start running until six months ago, but I'd been getting into shape for a year and a half before that just by lifting and doing other forms of exercise that were just as effective. Remember, though: You need to be able to feel your workout in order for it to be effective. No matter what you do, if you cannot feel it, then it isn't effective, in which case you might want to try something new or improve what you are already doing by adjusting your form.

Push-ups are great exercises for getting in shape. They work your chest and arm muscles, but if you want to build up endurance, they're just as effective. To do a proper push-up, remember to spread your hands shoulder width apart on the floor, straighten your back, and lower yourself until your chest touches the ground. Then, push yourself up by straightening your arms; you do not want to arch your back because this can hurt it, plus, you won't be lifting with your chest and arm muscles, now will you? If you're going for endurance, then just see how many push-ups you can do in one set; if you're looking for more of a strength base, then do sets of a set number of repetitions, for example, five sets of twenty repetitions in a workout. Each week, you should increase how many push-ups you do by about two percent; however, if you're looking just to maintain your current weight and muscle mass, then don't change the number of push-ups that you do.

Sit-ups work your abdominal muscles. I'd like to point out that you use your core when you are running, so this is an exercise that makes up for the fact that you aren't working your abs by not running, and does a little more work as well: this exercises is concentrated solely on your abdominal muscles. To do a proper sit-up, lie on the floor and cross your arms over your chest. Then, bend your knees so that your feet are flat against the floor, and curl yourself up using your abdominal muscles; very simple, really, as long as you aren't tempted to use your arms to push yourself up, which would defeat the purpose of the exercise. Make sure that you aren't lifting yourself up with your back, either, which is a less noticeable but extraordinarily common mistake. Just like with push-ups, the number of repetitions you do is

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