Remember that brand-new, perfectly matching snow jacket, hat, and boots ensemble you purchased last winter (that still has the tags still on it)? It’s time to break that stuff out! It can be difficult to stay motivated and remain active in the cold winter months. The days are shorter and darker, and the comfort food always seems to be readily available. However, keeping yourself motivated to get outside for some exercise will ensure you won’t have to work nearly as hard to get that winter weight off come spring. You’ll also have a leg up on those January winter blues that come every year like clockwork.
If the drive to get out in the chilly conditions is lacking, there are several unbelievably enjoyable yet underrated activities to keep off that winter weight, keep up your heart rate, and keep those endorphins flowing to persevere through the winter blues. You can do the majority of these activities solo, but they may be more fun with a couple of friends. Motivating yourself to get outside this winter may be more inspiring to the people around you than you think. Here are some of the best ways to exercise outdoors this winter. They’ll be great for cardio and building stamina!
Cross-Country Skiing
Compared to downhill skiing, cross-country skiing is more exerting, as you travel on mostly flat ground rather than on a decline. Propelling your own body weight without the assistance of the slope and gravity is a true test in cardio, working your core and your upper body.
Ice Skating
This may seem like an activity best left to the professionals, but it’s beneficial in so many ways. It gets your heart rate elevated and blood pumping, assists in achieving better balance through core strength, and gives you the freedom to be creative and individual in your routines.
Ice Hockey
Providing the same core strengthening that comes with ice skating, ice hockey also increases the difficulty. The safety gear adds weight, and carrying and swinging the hockey stick while you’re skating is an additional level of effort. Imagine running while wearing a weighted vest and holding light dumbbells in warmer weather—that’s what ice hockey is like!
Running
Always a wonderful way to exercise, running will get that heart rate up—which means you’ll build endurance. Avoiding ice and running through the snow will make the exercise a little more challenging. Keep the running gear light and trendy, and let your body heat keep you comfortable.
Sledding
Commonly considered an activity for children, sledding offers a lot of health benefits. Climbing the hills with the sled and perhaps a passenger in tow is an excellent dose of cardio, and it will work those gluteus muscles. You’re also working your upper body, core, and legs when you pull the sled. Cruising down a slope at speeds you haven’t hit without a motor in years will be exhilarating, and the exercise is more fun with such a rewarding finish.
Here we’ve provided you with some of the best ways to exercise outdoors this winter. There are many variations to activities people often forget about. Be sure to dress appropriately, be aware of the temperature, and be cautious of any inclement weather conditions—follow these tips for safe outdoor exercise! Know your limits and listen to your body. With any exercise, begin slowly and build your endurance before pushing your limits. Now go enroll other people in your activities, and have fun!
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
