As we move into the cold and gloomy winter months, take a moment to consider how you usually spend your time. Like most people, you probably tend to hunker down and tuck in by the television.
While catching up with family is certainly important, and we all deserve a break after yet another challenging year; the premise of hibernating through the entire season isn't for everyone. This might be especially true among those who are actively inclined and looking to take part in some outdoor wintry fun.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get some fresh air and stay healthy through the chilly days. In this post, we explore four fun winter sports that will help you get fit and motivated for the year ahead.
If you're interested in an activity that addresses all aspects of fitness, ice skating is the way to go. It's great for building strength and endurance, as well as balance. Plus, you can learn to skate at any age and fitness level. What makes it even more appealing is that you can enjoy it alone or with others in a group.
Unless you plan on doing a lot of jumps and tricks, ice skating is a fairly low-impact exercise and is great for improving your agility and flexibility. All you need is a quality pair of skates and some protective gear. You can find both men's and women's ice skates online at affordable prices, making it a highly accessible sport.
A power sport that can do wonders for your balance, flexibility and core strength, downhill skiing involves short runs of between two and three minutes. For someone who weighs 150 pounds, the sport can burn off around 300 to 500 calories per hour. Of course, you'll need some equipment and a resort to ski at, but it's worth a try if you have the means.
The archetypical winter sport, snowboarding, is surprisingly new given its immense popularity. It entered the scene in the US during the 1960s and was only added to the Winter Olympics some 30 years later. Like any sport on the list, snowboarding can do wonders for your physical and mental health, improving your mood and staving off anxiety.
Regular snowboarders also enjoy cardiovascular benefits and stronger, more flexible muscles. You can rest-assured that you'll get your money's worth on the lift ticket.
An excellent option for those who enjoy being part of a team, this sport combines the finesse of ice skating with the competitive thrill of hockey. In addition to the camaraderie, ice hockey provides a highly effective workout . It's especially good for the abdominals and lower body, and is unsurprisingly an effective calorie burner.
The afore-mentioned sports are all great ways to spend your winter, but they aren't the only winter sports out there. You can also check out snow kiting, ice yachting, ice diving, ski jumping, and snowmobiling or dog sledding. There's also ice climbing, shovel racing and mountaineering, so you have plenty to choose from.