Wintertime often poses a challenge to would-be exercisers. No longer is it feasible to take a bike ride up the street. However, there are plenty of things you can do outdoors to not only keep yourself in shape, but also to enjoy all that this season has to offer. When the snow is flying, the following are some tips that can have you "flying" outdoors for some physical activity:
* Go sledding. While this traditional winter amusement may not seem like a workout, it really can be. Besides being a ubiquitous rite-of-passage in snowy climates, sledding requires you to trudge back up the hill - all while carrying your sled. It offers a good opportunity for some fresh air and intense uphill exercise. Try an inflatable inner-tube sled for a safer, modern twist on this old pastime.
* Grab some skis. Downhill skiing can burn about 400 500 calories per hour in an average 150-pound person. However, if you feel downhill skiing is too expensive (lift tickets, equipment), too fast, or too dangerous, consider cross-country skiing. Cross country allows you to view the snow-covered landscape in all its beauty, and it allows you to do so at your own pace. Calories burned are similar, if not a little more than downhill skiing.
* Ice skating is also a great winter workout. And a nice thing about ice skating: if you find it enjoyable, it's a workout you can carry with you through all seasons. Indoor ice rinks abound for the warmer months, or you can transition to inline skating when the rink melts.
* Try snowshoeing. This relatively unheard of winter sport is similar to cross-country skiing, but can actually burn more calories per hour. Snow shoes allow you to "hike" across and enjoy winter landscapes at your own pace.
* Take a walk. If you live in an urban or semi-urban area with sidewalks (assuming they're shoveled), getting out for a walk, or even a jog, is not unheard of in wintertime. Personally, this is my favorite way to exercise, even during the cold months! A good pair of hiking boots with deep treads and a spray of waterproofing usually does the trick. Bundle up accordingly, and you can enjoy a pleasant winter stroll or jog around town!
While opinions differ among experts, there may be days when it's just too cold to exercise outdoors. Or perhaps a blizzard is raging. Or maybe the sun is shining, but the minus-20 degrees wind chill makes extended outdoor jaunts a little less appealing. For those days, there's plenty you can do to stay fit inside.
* Keep a reserve of exercise videos/DVDs handy, or checkout a few from the local library. Many people find working out in front of the TV to be a chore. Not to mention, if you use the same video(s) over-and-over, you plateau in no time. But using this method as an occasional supplement, such as on extremely cold days, can be beneficial.
* Gyms, health clubs, and the YMCA have a myriad of options for keeping in shape. From top-notch equipment, to classes, to swimming pools - these places are packed with ways to stay in shape! But the memberships can be pricey. This is a good option if you plan to exercise indoors more often than outdoors during the winter.
* Live with gamers? Consider some newer, get-up-off-the-couch type video games. Dance, Dance Revolution is available for most systems. It features a dance pad that you step on while following prompted moves on the screen. Not only is this great exercise, but it makes a fantastic party game! (Think "Twister" for the 21st Century!) Or the Nintendo Wii Fit can keep you motivated by not only featuring workouts, but also digitized personal trainers, and exercise logbooks.
The icy winter months often times become an excuse for exercisers to break their routines. However, this need not be so. A little creativity and planning can go a long way in designing an indoors/outdoors exercise routine that complements all that the cold-weather months have to offer.