Burn Calories with Winter Workouts!
Expand your horizons beyond the gym this winter. Take your workout in the great outdoors to tone up, burn calories and stay strong. Redbook Magazine shares three of my favorite winter activities here.
- Ice skating is a great family activity that you can pursue together, challenging your balance while working inner and outer thighs, glutes and ankles. An average woman (145 pounds) will burn 230 calories in 30 minutes.
- Cross country skiing is the front runner for all-around aerobic benefits. It's a more complete workout than running or biking because it involves the upper body as well as the legs. The average woman will burn 260 calories in a half hour.
- Snow shoeing is also a high calorie burn, like cross country skiing. It's more strenuous than walking or running at the same speed. Adding poles makes it a full-body exercise as you engage the upper body.
Appropriate clothing and gear are essential to keep you safe and comfortable. Wear layers. While you’re moving you may get quite warm, but when you stop you can really feel the wind chill
Winter workouts keep you glowing! Here are a few of the health and fitness benefits of exercising outdoors:
- Exposure to fresh air and natural light – soak up some Vitamin D.
- Helps fight seasonal depression.
- Manage holiday weight gain (the average weight gain is 3-5# during holiday season).
- Maintain cardio fitness, strength, balance and coordination
- Core strength is integral to all activities – full-body strength training will improve performance in all.