How to Stay Active in the Cold Winter Weather

Once the cold winter weather hits the air, many no longer want to spend extended periods of time outside. Unfortunately, some tend to get their necessary exercise through outdoor physical activity, so when the air gets too cold, they can’t get that exercise anymore.  

The cold winter season is longer than you think, so quitting exercise throughout the entire winter can lead to lack of energy, decrease in heart health, or weight gain over time. Also, the American Heart Association recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week to improve overall well-being.  

There are some ways to keep up with that recommended exercise in the winter, no matter how cold it gets outside. If your exercise routines have been foiled due to the winter season, keep reading for some easy ways to exercise indoors—and a few ways to still exercise outside. 

Ideas for Staying Active During Winter 

Don’t want to walk around outside? Using a local gym’s treadmill—or buying one for yourself—may be the perfect way for you to stay active indoors. Walking as a form of aerobic exercise can improve your mood, help maintain a healthy weight, improve balance, strengthen muscles, and so much more. You can set up your laptop on the treadmill to complete work or watch a movie while exercising as well.  

Make sure to bring your water bottle as well to replace the fluids you lose while you sweat and maintain performance levels while exercising. For some added fun flavor to your water, try SweetLeaf’s Water Drops that are all natural, sugar-free, and heart-healthy! 

Used to spending time with your family or friends by taking walks together? A great way to still get that exercise and spend time together is by swimming together at a local recreation center pool. Swimming, just like walking, can strengthen your muscles and boost your mood, but it also builds endurance and works your entire body. Splash around and have fun with your loved ones while keeping your body active. 

Don’t have any fancy exercise equipment like a treadmill or access to a pool? There are so many ways to exercise in your own living room without any equipment. Create your own home workout routine using exercises such as squats, planks, lunges, pushups, burpees, and more depending on your body and amount of workout experience. Home workouts can save time and money while allowing you privacy as you exercise. 

You could also buy some dumbbells for added strength exercises which can be a much cheaper investment than a treadmill. A small set of lightweight dumbbells could cost as little as $25 depending on the seller. This, combined with your new exercise routine, can help strengthen your muscles and burn calories faster. 

Make sure your workout routine challenges you physically without being too difficult on your body. You know your body the best and therefore know which exercises will work best for you. You can search the Internet or YouTube for workout routines to follow if you don’t know where to start. 

The winter weather doesn’t just take away outdoor exercises—it adds new fun ways to burn those calories in the snow. If you live somewhere really cold, an outdoor skating rink may be the perfect way to spend time with your loved ones this winter. Ice skating can boost heart health, strengthen the joints in your body, and improve balance. 

Other forms of good outdoor workouts that are only available in the snow include skiing or snowboarding. Hit the slopes with your loved ones this winter for a fun, great workout that can improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, and boost your heart health! Plus, it’s always good to get some vitamin D from the sun, and why not have fun exercising with your loved ones at the same time? 

When exercising outdoors in the cold, make sure to bundle up and wear multiple layers of clothing. Clothing layers can help keep you insulated so that the cold won’t steal your body heat over time. This will also make sure you have enough energy to complete these outdoor exercises.