5 Winter Exercises Outside the Gym

Winter is right around the corner, and for some that means the lost desire to work out. Some of us will be confined to our couches, snuggies, and hot cocoa, while others will still seek to find their adrenaline rush in the coldest of days.  Regardless of which bucket you belong to, below is a list of some exercise activities you can still do in the winter to keep yourself in shape.

Staying in shape, especially keeping your leg muscles and abdominal area in top condition is the best thing you can do before and during the winter season. Nothing is worse than having your legs fail on you halfway down a run.

Go Downhill skiing/snowboarding/sledding

Well this one was obvious. If you’re not snowboarding during the season on a regular basis, then we need to talk. If you have decided to go to a ski resort, that’s even better! 60 minutes of riding or skiing burns about 500 calories (slightly less or more if you weigh less or more than 150 lbs).

If you are a naturally fit individual, none of these activities should be too difficult for you. Snowboarding and skiing rely a lot on abdominal and leg strength, along with flexibility. If you want to tone up your abs and leg muscles before your trip do some exercises in your home gym. Check out these other exercises you can do to improve your new winter hobby in snowboarding and skiing (in addition to keeping in shape during the winter time)

Snowshoeing

Trekking through the depths of snow, works your leg muscles as well as gets your heart rate up. If you want to get a serious workout in, bring a partner along so you can motivate each other to keep a steady pace going (highly effective). A 30 minute hike is a great way to get your cardio in for the day.

Snow Shoeing doesn’t have to be an intense workout though, it can also be a great activity for a group of people; bring your friends or family along to check out the winter-y sites in your local park.

Go to your local parks and recreation center to see if there are trails around that you can rent snowshoes at.

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross Country skiing is one of the most demanding winter sports that anyone can do. Heck, it’s an Olympic sport! Whatever you put into your workout – no matter what it is – is what you are going to get out of it. If you want to train for a winter cross-country skiing race, all power to you. I am sure you can find these races all over the country. However, just like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing is also a great way to just get outside and venture out to your local parks and check out the scenery.

Run Outdoors

Now that it is the winter, going to the gym can be a hassle because all of the treadmills, or ellipticals will be taken up, so why not run outdoors. If you want to time yourself or run a certain distance, map out a path first with your car. If that’s not your cup of tea, just do a search on your smartphone’s application market for a number of cardio timing and tracking applications.

Find a nice area that you can run and be safe in. Big neighborhoods are always my personal choice. The elaborate houses decorated to the 9s with their seasonal cheer always put me in the winter spirit. Also, most of the time the roads and sidewalks will be shoveled, plowed and even salted for your running needs. You should aim to do 20-30 minutes. Also make sure you are dressed to stay warm.

If you don’t want to run through the neighborhoods, go on your town’s main roads or “over the river and thru the woods.” I’m sure the path to grandmas house is always a nice journey!

Shoveling

It is a necessary evil. Do you realize how much shoveling can help tone your body? Please use your legs! Don’t just use your upper body and back. If you shovel incorrectly (just like if you are at the gym and throwing up 500 pound weights to show the 95 pound teenage boy next to you how it’s done) there is a high percent that you will throw out your back! And then in that case, you really won’t be able to stay in shape for the rest of the winter season and will be stuck on the couch in your snuggie drinking hot cocoa and baileys just like the rest of us lazy humans out there.

Shoveling is also a great way to get on your neighbors good side, and will make you feel good about helping those around you, especially during the holiday season.

I cannot stress enough the importance of careful exercising, warming up, and stretching before a workout. And as always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask in the comments section of this post.