Are you looking for fun holiday ideas? Add “get lots of winter exercise” to your list.
Winter’s a triple threat to your waistline. We spend more time indoors due to the shorter days and colder weather, which reduces the amount of time we’re physically active. Indoors is where we keep food too, so most of us eat more than we realize—and more than we should—during the cold winter months.
And those festive holiday sweaters do more than mask your secret loathing of Christmas carols. They hide the extra pounds you’re packing, as does all winter clothing.
Staying fit over winter can be challenging. But ho ho hold on there, Scrooge. Wintertime fitness activities can help stay on top of your goals, and hit New Year’s Resolution season looking and feeling your best—and they’re a lot of fun. Let’s look at a few great winter exercise ideas.
Gear Up for Winter Fitness
First, grab your coat. Knowing how to exercise in winter means knowing how to dress for it—proper clothing is essential for wintertime outdoor activities. Fit and warmth are equally important for any winter exercise—bulky or ill-fitting outerwear can make some of these activities unpleasant, if not impossible. You want to be warm and dry and have as much freedom of movement as you need for your workout.
Dress in layers—precisely, three:
1. The layer closest to your skin keeps you dry by wicking away moisture. Materials like polypropylene or lightweight polyester are good choices here.
2. The second layer insulates. Microfiber or polyester fleece are both great options, as is wool if you’re more of a traditionalist.
3. The third layer shields you from the elements—wind, rain, and snow. You want a water-repellent, windproof outer shell appropriate for your winter exercises. While not optional, it shouldn’t be worn if it’s not wet or blustery, as it can prevent sweat from evaporating. Wet fabrics don’t insulate—they draw warmth from the body, chilling you and hindering your endurance (and your workout).
Winter Exercise On Ice
Want a low-impact, fast-paced, fun winter workout that’s great for your hard-to-work inner thigh muscles? Ice skating is one of the coolest winter exercises around. It’s great for all but the most sedentary lifestyles and will give you the “didn’t skip leg day” look you want when it’s time to put those summer shorts back on.
It’s also great for building balance by engaging many secondary stabilizing muscles, giving you an awesome all-over toning workout. If you’re new to the sport, go slow and consider taking a few classes at your local rink.
Over the River, Through the Woods
Even if it’s not to grandmother’s house you go, there’s no better way to get fantastic winter exercise than sledding with some of your favorite little ones. Pulling a kid or two through the snow on an old-fashioned sled won’t just create cherished memories, it’s a great full-body workout, too.
Pulling a weighted sled with a rope engages your legs, abs and muscles in your upper body. Best of all, you’ll be building stamina while you build strength.
If you don’t have kids of your own, go aunt or uncle mode and borrow a few from a loved one for the day. Your friends will be grateful for the break (ever been trapped in a house over winter with a few restless kids?), and you’ll attain legendary status among the little people.
Take A Hike!
Hiking may be the most accessible and one of the most often overlooked winter exercise ideas. With the right equipment, hiking is a great workout, and it’s one of the few winter exercises that let you bring snacks. A long hike burns a lot of calories, so it’s a good idea to pack a few energy bars (and plenty of water—hydration is important, even in winter).
As with any winter exercise, preparation is key. Pay special attention to your clothing (all three layers!) and invest in a good pair of hiking boots and thick socks. Always use marked and maintained trails, have maps or GPS devices with you, have a way to contact help if you should need it, and make sure someone knows where and when you’ll be hiking.
Getting the Most Out of Winter Exercise
As with any exercise, consistency and safety are key. While pulling a few kids on a sled might require a recent snowfall, ice skating and hiking are great activities accessible in almost any weather. If you can drive (safely!) to the ice rink, you can drive to your nearest nature trail. Don’t just do a one-off spontaneous winter exercise. Plan to make whatever activity you adopt part of your winter fitness routine.
And stay safe—as with any sport, winter exercise requires a certain level of preparation, proper equipment, and some realistic thinking. If the extent of your winter exercises tends to be opening presents and sipping egg nog, plan on shorter hikes, ten-minute stints out on the ice, and pulling empty sleds up local hills while the kids walk alongside you (which is great exercise for them, too).
