Time to get those resolutions going and we bet that exercising is on your list! The team at Canyon Ranch, Lenox in Massachusetts wants to make winter workouts fun. Here's some advice:
-Because calories are a measure of energy (heat), winter offers the perfect calorie-burning environment. When you're out in the cold, your body uses energy just staying warm. As a result, you'll burn more calories for the amount of time and effort expended than when you exercise in warm weather.
-Each winter sport provides a different kind of conditioning. Snowshoeing is a true endurance sport, and is an ideal way for hikers to step up their fitness routines because it uses many of the same muscles as hiking, but is heavier work.
-Downhill skiing requires a strong core and legs, plus great agility. If you plan to ski and you're not in shape, you'd be well-advised to hit the gym for a few weeks before hitting the slopes. A long afternoon on the slopes can be a strenuous lower-body workout, and you'll burn calories just being outside.
-For those who want a full-body workout in the outdoors, there's nothing better than cross-country skiing, which builds endurance while working all the major muscle groups. You burn more calories than on an indoor ski machine at the gym, plus you get to enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors.
-Whichever sport you pick; dress in layers. Winter temperatures fluctuate throughout the day and your need for insulation varies with your level of activity. Avoid wearing cotton because it absorbs moisture and keeps you wet. Stick with multiple layers of high-tech, moisture-wicking fabrics such as capilene, polypropylene and fleece.
Have fun, snow bunnies! Debra
Recent Comments