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5 ideas for winter exercise
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Find your motivation to exercise in winter with winter fitness tips and advice from a fitness professional.
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By Sarah Snowdon
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Winter fitness strategy 3: Cross-country or downhill skiing
Head to your local ski resort on weekends with friends or family. Cross-country skiing is a total body workout that works your heart without placing stress on your joints. Downhill skiing is a high-intensity activity that builds endurance and muscle strength.
"Outdoor winter sports provide a great cardio workout," explains Hagan. "Both skating and skiing require you to work at moderate to high intensity with equipment that forces you to use your whole body, therefore exerting more effort, energy and calories."
Winter fitness strategy 4: Walking in a winter wonderland
Although initially intimidating for some, snowshoeing can quickly tone up your thighs (quadriceps) and butt (glutes). With an extra few pounds to lift for each step (provided by your equipment and layers of clothing), long walks are an excellent way to burn calories. Remember to throw on several layers of clothing so you can peel them off as you get warmer while exercising.
Feeling adventurous? Pick up a pair of poles and try Nordic walking. Also known as poling, this sport has gained popularity in Europe. Much like cross-country skiing, this sport incorporates arm movements into your workout, burning 20 to 46 per cent more calories.
Winter fitness strategy 5: Sign up for class
Signing up for lessons -- whether it's snowboarding, curling, swimming, rock-climbing or dance -- helps you commit to staying physically active. It may also give you a chance to learn new skills or even maintain your game during the off-season.
Motivation to stay fit during winter
Maintaining your health during winter not only keeps you looking great but it boosts your mood, too. "Exercising regularly keeps those happy hormones or endorphins, which are produced during exercise, circulating throughout the body," says Hagan.
And while exercising outside keeps you fit, it also directly improves your health and overall sense of well-being. "The most important reason for continuing to exercise outdoors is to ensure that your brain receives enough vitamin D from sunlight to stay healthy, alert and happy. There is less sunlight exposure during our Canadian winters and many people suffer symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)," says Hagan.
Winter is the best time to get outside and experience the sun and fresh air while you get fit. While enjoying your outdoor activities, you can take in beautiful scenery that many Canadians miss out on while they're stuck inside playing with the remote.
Page 2 of 2
Find out how to make your fitness resolution work this year.
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