As winter sets in, bringing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, many people feel the urge to stay indoors wrapped in a warm blanket. Yet, for others, the season offers unique opportunities for activities that aren’t available during the rest of the year. Whether you love or loathe the cold, staying active in winter is possible.
For those who enjoy being active but dislike the chill, it can be a challenge to keep moving. If snow isn’t your thing but you still want to stay fit, consider embracing winter sports, exploring outdoor hobbies, adapting summer activities, or finding ways to stay active indoors.
Start by thinking about what you enjoy in the summer. If hiking, canoeing, or swimming are your go-to activities, try winter alternatives like snowshoeing, skiing, or ice skating. These not only keep you moving but also help break the winter monotony with fun and excitement.
Instead of cranking up the heat and hibernating, try a new sport to stay engaged with the outdoors. While some winter activities are more intense than others, even low-impact hobbies can help you stay active.
Making snow angels, building snowmen, and sledding are playful ways to get outside and move. You might also try metal detecting in the snow, which offers gentle exercise and a sense of adventure. Ice fishing, bird watching, and photography are other outdoor hobbies that keep you moving, even if they’re not high-intensity workouts.
If you’re someone who usually hikes or walks daily, these lighter activities might not feel as fulfilling, but they still offer a chance to get outside and stay active.
Cold weather doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite summer sports. With a few adjustments, you can continue camping, jogging, biking, or even rock climbing. Winter surfing is also possible with the right wetsuit.
Modify your routine by snowshoeing to a campsite, jogging in thermal gear, using wider tires for biking, or finding a winter-friendly climbing spot. These tweaks let you enjoy your favorite activities year-round.
For those who can’t or won’t brave the cold, indoor options are just as effective. Join a gym, invest in home workout equipment, try a fitness video game, or focus on simple at-home exercises.
While outdoor winter fun is great, it’s not always practical for daily workouts. That’s why many people prefer indoor routines like crunches, pushups, lunges, or yoga to stay fit and warm.
The most important thing is to keep moving during these challenging months. If you prefer activities over gym sessions, it’s easy to lose motivation. But with options like winter sports, outdoor hobbies, modified summer activities, and indoor workouts, staying active in winter is entirely doable—even if it just means getting up and doing something instead of binge-watching shows under a blanket.
