How To Exercise In Winter

By: Jacky Gamble

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Knowing how to exercise in winter not only can keep you fit through the winter months, but can also boost your mood during the cold, dark days. There are a number of ways to exercise in winter. Some can be done indoors, while others are done outdoors. If you engage in winter exercise outdoors, be sure to dress for the elements.

Purchase exercise DVDs: There are videos for virtually any exercise you can think of, so finding one that you may enjoy should be easy. Whether you enjoy walking, strength training, or something unconventional, such as belly dancing, exercise DVDs are a great way to exercise in winter.
Mall walking: You've probably seen mall walkers numerous times, but never really thought about doing this yourself. However, mall walking can be a fun way to exercise in winter. For even more fun, and a bit of motivation, call a buddy to join you. Some malls post the length of the building from one end to the other, which makes it easy to calculate how far you have walked. If your mall doesn't have this posted, invest in a pedometer to help you keep track.
Winter sports: If you live in an area where it snows, what better way is there to exercise in winter than to learn a winter sport? Some popular choices are skiing, snow boarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding.
Shovel snow: Forget about hiring someone to plow your driveway and shovel it yourself! Shoveling snow burns a lot of calories, making it an excellent way to exercise in winter.
Join a gym: Gyms offer equipment for both cardiovascular and strength training. If winter sports or mall walking are not your thing, a gym membership will provide you with access to this equipment, as well as an opportunity to exercise in winter.