What Are Great Workouts in the Snow?

Workouts in the snow are much easier than you think! Read on for a few creative workouts you can do in the snow without trying to drive to the gym. 

Keeping active can be fruitful during warmer weather, and some people may think that your workouts must grind to a halt when it gets cold. It may be hazardous to drive through snow and ice to get to the gym, and it can be difficult to drag yourself from the warmth and comfort of your home. 

Don’t let the snow discourage you from remaining active! By dressing in layers and covering your hands, feet, and head, you and your family can have plenty of fun while working out in the winter. Plus, being active in the snow is a great way to build your core muscles—just in time to get in shape for spring. 

Fun Exercises You Can Do in the Snow

Just because it’s snowing outside, it doesn’t mean you have to remain indoors. 

In fact, snow is a great way to get fit and a perfect opportunity for you to switch your routine up and challenge your body in new, fun ways. 

If your part of the country is snow-covered, you can enjoy any of the standard fitness options, including:

1. Snowboarding: Snowboarding builds your body strength and stability while building muscles!
2. Skiing: Did you know that just 30 minutes of skiing can burn around 200 calories, depending on how much you weigh?
3. Ice-skating: One hour of ice-skating can burn more fat than a game of hockey. Depending on how long and how fast you skate, you could really burn a ton of calories, plus this can be a free activity for your family
4. Snowshoeing: This workout burns around 500 calories an hour, even more than swimming laps or using the elliptical machine. This low-cost activity is a full body workout that doesn’t take a lot of gear to enjoy
5. Sledding: Sledding is actually quite a bit of a workout, considering that you have to schlep the sled up the hill!
6. Snow tubing: It doesn’t have to take a lot to have a blast. Add this fun activity to your workouts in the snow routine, and you and your loved ones can barrel down hills on rubber tubes. Plus, you don’t need a whole lot of coordination, so anyone can join

Additionally, you can get quite a workout doing things like building a snowman. Any opportunity to move your body outdoors is a better alternative than sitting on the couch with holiday-themed sweets. 

If you don’t have time or access to any of the above activities, then clear your driveway of snow for 45 minutes, and it’s a solid and valuable workout. 

The Benefits of Work Outs in the Snow

Exercising in the snow has a lot of benefits, one of them being breathing in the fresh air and being surrounded by nature.

The crisp cold air can immediately make you feel pumped up and ready to go. Few things make you feel like a kid again than seeing the first few snowflakes that indicate snow adventures are on the way.

If you’ve ever suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you know that it is synced to the changes in seasons. You may feel drained of energy, listless, moody, and prone to unhealthy weight gains.

If you are affected easily by SAD, you could benefit significantly from working out in the snow. In general, exercising reduces these symptoms by keeping you active. Plus, being outside in the sunlight can help you beat the winter blues.

Don’t forget to layer up, drink plenty of water, enjoy the colder temps, and get that Vitamin D your body needs.

For more witness fitness ideas and workouts in the snow, click here.