Cold-weather Workouts

Exercising in a Winter Wonderland

By Teri Brown

The wind is whipping, the snow is blowing and you and your family feel stuck in the house. How can you get a decent workout in the wintertime when you are sick of the gym and intimidated by the cold?

Stacy Berman, certified fitness instructor and founder of Stacy's Boot Camp, a back to basics alternative to the traditional gym, believes many people just hibernate in the winter instead of taking advantage of the natural opportunities the season presents.

"People often don't think about exercising outside in the winter time because it is so much easier to cuddle up with a cup of hot cocoa and watch your favorite movie than it is to plan and get motivated enough to endure the cold weather," Berman says. "If you already have motivational problems with exercising, the cold becomes just another excuse."

Exercising in the winter can be a blast, especially when done as a family. One idea is a brisk walk through your favorite park. It gives your children a much different view of a place they thought they knew well and you generally have the place to yourself! Berman says there are many activities that can only be done in the winter such as skiing, snowboarding, building a snowman, having a snowball fight and sledding.

"Although you don't typically think of these as exercises, your muscles are working and your heart rate elevates, and what's more enjoyable than having a snowball fight with your family on a Sunday afternoon?" Berman says.

The key to working out safely in the wintertime is preparation. Berman says exercise can absolutely be done safely outside in the winter if you keep a few factorsin mind.

"In the winter months, warming the muscles up is essential prior to engaging in outdoor activities because it will help make the muscles more elastic and reduce the risk of injury," Berman says. "Make sure you and your children are wearing proper clothing. Layering is great because once you start heating up you can take something off. Also, wear fabrics that pull the moisture away from the body."

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