6 Healthy (And Fun!) Winter Workouts

By Hanna Brooks Olsen for Blisstree.com

Winter weather may make you want to huddle up and drink yourself into an egg nog-induced stupor, but chilly temperatures also offer awesome new workouts. With the cold air comes some of the most exciting, beautiful ways to get outside get moving, while burning more calories that you would in a climate-controlled gym.

From cross-country skiing to snowboarding, outdoor activities really hit their stride in December. And even if you live in an area where the thermometer doesn't go south of 70, there are still ways to enjoy the cooler days -- whether you're up on the mountain, or zipping around a skating rink.

Regardless of whether or not you decide to take it outside, incorporating at least one fun, seasonal workout into your regular routine will fend off the winter blues -- and the holiday weight gain -- without seeming like a chore.

Comments

[HerrMonk]

05:16 PM on 12/06/2011

You missed all the "hard" ones that actually condition you...

Most of what you've shown here is little more than NEPA.

I know HuffPost is obsessed with running. Enough said. Snowboarding is moderately aerobic, for short spurts. Try telemarking instead. It will work your legs, and push you past your anaerobic threshold (assuming you don't take a breather every other turn).

Snowshowing as physical activity is the lazy-man's cross-country skiing. It's NEPA: a nice stroll through the woods.

Iceskating at the local park = NEPA. Doing laps for speed = exercise.

Why does everyone seem to be afraid to recommend workouts with WORK in them?

[odyssey58]

08:18 PM on 12/05/2011

I can't wait for snow, but I guess I'll have to. I love winter and I look forward to cross country skiing. I also downhill ski but that's not really a workout. Snow shoeing looks fun, too.

[HerrMonk]

05:17 PM on 12/06/2011

Snow showing is like cross-country skiing in slow motion.

ZZZzzzzzzz.......

Cut the difference between x-country and downhill and try telemarking.

[Warren Yuill]

06:51 AM on 12/05/2011

I do the chainsaw workout from mid-Dec to the end of Feb. Then I do the woodsplitter/ woodpile work-out till the end of March. How many calories that burns, I have no idea. Keeps you warm though.

[Carl Caroli]

03:37 PM on 12/04/2011

I cross country ski in a few local state parks. Many exercise paths are ideal for x-c, especially when someones been there before you and laid down some tracks. Ideal conditions are 6-12".

[frank day]

01:02 PM on 12/04/2011

The only one of these I might be able to do is snowshoeing.

Running on ice and snow with my iffy knee is a no go.

Am nowhere near slopes.

I do enjoy walking in the fresh snow.

[HerrMonk]

05:18 PM on 12/06/2011

Cross country skiing > snow showing.

[Bob Deloge]

08:40 AM on 12/04/2011

All those excersises are in the snow we live in Fl.Bob

[zannamar]

10:22 AM on 12/04/2011

While I agree with you, our options for how we exercise aren't really affected in the south in the wintertime. However we would do well with "6 healthy(and fun) workouts during the hot sweltering summer"

[frank day]

01:03 PM on 12/04/2011

Beach or bust.

[drumsing]

03:38 PM on 12/03/2011

Huge typo! "that running burns around 100 calories per hour..." NOT! more like 500-800 calories/hr.

[zannamar]

10:25 AM on 12/04/2011

actually running burns about 100 calories average

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304-311-8402-0,00.html

[frank day]

01:04 PM on 12/04/2011

That's PER MILE, if you run a 10 min. mile you'll burn 718 calories for a man.

[zannamar]

10:28 AM on 12/04/2011

yup about 100 calories per mile...not hour

[hattie54]

01:27 PM on 12/03/2011

Ahh the first pix is the famous Wolman rink.I was there walking around a few weeks ago.It was fun to see the little kids taking lessons.

[rumurphy]

11:44 AM on 12/03/2011

"Running burns 100 calories an hour" .. what?? You burn more calories than that walking.