New England winters are no stranger to snow and ice, so why not take the opportunity to get active in the winter wonderland while burning calories in a fun way?
According to ShapeFit.com, a 155-pound person who ice skates at a moderate speed can burn 493 calories in an hour. Obviously, the faster you go, the more you’ll burn. So, grabbing your friends and family and hitting the ice not only can be beneficial socially; it can also help burn calories in a fun way! Even if you can’t do a triple Salchow, you can enjoy a hot chocolate post-skate without feeling guilty because ice skating is not only a good cardio workout, but it also helps build your leg and core muscles as you glide while staying balanced.
Sledding may seem like kid’s play, but how often do you want to jump in on the fun? Sledding isn’t just for children; it’s got the same projected calorie burn per hour as moderate ice skating. And, the bonus of sledding is that you can usually find a free spot, like a local hill, park or golf course where you can get in on the fun. Climbing up the hill can obviously work your calves, but as you try not to slip, you are also engaging your core. And what’s not to love about the built-in “breaks” you get when sliding down the hill.
Another activity you can do while breathing in the fresh, winter air is snowshoeing. This burns an average of 563 calories for a 155-pound person in an hour, but vigorous snowshoeing may result in a burn of more than 600 calories an hour!
Since its inception thousands of years ago, snowshoeing has evolved from wood-frames to aluminum models, offering a casual and pleasant stroll in the open snow. A huge perk of snowshoeing is that you can scorch calories with little risk of injury.
Dusting off those old skis and heading up to Vermont or New Hampshire is another wonderful way to exercise during the winter months. No matter if you prefer cross-country or downhill, both offer a nice full-body workout. Moderate downhill skiing burns about 422 calories an hour and the average cross-country run burns about 563 calories an hour. Cross-country skiing has the added benefit of building your endurance because you’re constantly moving and gravity doesn’t play a role in your body’s movement. Cross-country skiing is great for anyone who is used to the movement on an elliptical. Downhill skiing requires smaller bursts of energy, so you don’t work as hard continuously, but you engage your core more actively as you balance on the slope.
Snowboarding has gained a fair amount of popularity over the younger generations in the past decade, and it’s another fabulous winter workout. Again, this movement shapes your lower body and midsection, while burning about 480 calories an hour according to WebMD.com. Focused for the adventurous, snowboarding offers thrill and excitement. It’s best suited for those in good health who frequently work out. Most importantly, helmets, as well as wrist and elbow guards should always be worn to ensure safety on the hill.
Safety and dressing properly should always be taken into account when exercising in the winter. You should dress in layers, so as you get warm, you can remove the top one, but still stay temperate underneath to keep your body heat from escaping. Your sweat should be absorbed in your bottom layer, and moisture-wicked clothing can be ideal in keeping you dry and comfortable. Also, make sure to hydrate with sufficient amounts of water and to use reflective clothing if it is dark outside.
Clearly, there are a slew of winter sports you can partake in, but here’s the most shockingly high way to burn calories: shoveling your driveway, which can earn you a burn of 422 calories in an hour. That’s right, the same as downhill skiing! So, if your spouse volunteers to do it and you skipped the gym, it might be a good idea for you to get out there and sneak in a workout for something that has to be done anyway.
