The cool temperatures of winter, paired with great technical outdoor active wear, make winter workouts some of the most enjoyable of the year.
Beat back those extra calories that come with holiday celebrations, be adventurous, enjoy the beautiful winter landscape, and head out. Here are some great options:
Paddle Tennis
You will still break a sweat in this fast-paced game of agility, teamwork and strategy. With new courts in Wilmette and Glenview, paddle’s popularity is at an all-time high. Sign up for a drill to improve your game, then pair up with a friend or your spouse for a weekly league.
Paddle is a great cardiovascular workout, working your leg muscles as you move in all directions and challenging your hand-eye coordination. Plus it’s weight bearing for your bone health. The social aspect of the sport makes it a fun way to connect with others. Check out your local park district for drill and league options.
Snowshoe
Too much snow to walk? Use it to your advantage. Strap on a pair of snowshoes as you traverse the woods or parallel the river. Several local sporting-goods stores rent snowshoes to try. Snowshoes stay on top of the snow and work your walking muscles in a different way. Throw in a little running for a lower-impact version. Couple the good buzz from endorphins with the euphoric feeling of communing with nature for a great workout.
Cross-Country Ski
Borrow a friend’s cross-country skis and hit your local golf course for a loop (or two) around 18 holes. Cross country skiing is a great way to get your heart rate up, using all your major muscles groups as you enjoy the beautiful white snow. The more you ski, the more accomplished you will feel as the rhythm comes more naturally. Cross-country skiing is as good a workout as running—without the pounding. Consider purchasing your own pair so you can strap up each time it snows…before it melts.
Ice Skate
If you haven’t skated since you were a kid, it’s time to try it again. Like riding a bike, skating will come back to you quickly. Recruit a friend for a skate around the oval. Engage in 30 minutes of leisurely skating while you catch up with your friend, and feel your legs working with each glide. Skating works your heart and the big muscles in your lower body. Skate on the perfect ice indoors, or take advantage of the many outdoor rinks in beautiful locales, along the lake or under the evergreens in the park.
Walk
Keep your walking workouts going all season with the addition of ice cleats on days when the pavement is treacherous. Available at sporting-goods and even hardware stores, these cleats easily pull on over the bottom of your shoes and give just enough traction to keep you safe on the ice without inhibiting your stride. Add variety to your routine, and avoid the cold wind, by doing hill repeats in the ravines or up from the beaches. Work the hills, starting with three and working up to eight. Listen for the change in your breathing as you go anaerobic near the top.
Stretch or Swim
Winter is the perfect time to take up something new, like yoga or swimming. Without the pull of warm weather outdoors, you can enjoy the warmth of the indoor yoga studio, learn the sun salutations, and improve your flexibility. Promised yourself you’d learn to swim for a summer triathlon? Sign up for lessons and be ready to swim by summer.
Outdoor workouts require a thorough warm up to help prevent injuries and enable muscles to work at their optimal level. Consider some indoor warm ups before you head out. Keep in mind, your body requires lots of calories to keep you warm as you move in the cold air, which is a great way to offset your holiday meals. So pull on that bright-red breathable jacket and matching beanie and head out for a great winter workout.
