Fun Winter Activities to Help You Get Out of the House

You’ve heard it before—the best way to keep seeing results from your workouts is to mix it up. Sure, ‘mixing it up’ in the middle of winter can be a glass of wine by the fireplace (what a good tricep stretch, right?) but a fantastic workout might be easier to squeeze in than you think. Here are some activities to help you get out of the house (and even burn a few calories) this winter.

Go Sledding, Ice Skating or Cross Country Skiing

If this isn’t already a winter tradition, it needs to become one. I mean, I live in LA and I’ve managed to make 2 of them happen this year! You may not think of sledding as a workout, but all that trudging up and down a hill in the snow can actually burn around 400 to 600 calories per hour. Each of these activities is super fun with family, friends, or your significant other.

Hot Yoga or Snow-ga

Who doesn’t love a good hot yoga class in the winter? It’s warm and cozy and gives you a break from the cooler temps outside. If you want to try something new (and very ‘gram-worthy), opt for snowga (check out #snowga for inspo). It’s a great way to soak up some vitamin D and enjoy the scenery around you. Not to mention, if you are going skiing or snowboarding, this serves as a great warm-up before you hit the slopes.

Take a Hike or Go On a Trail Run

If the sun happens to peek through, grab your hiking or trail running shoes and head out on an adventure. Be sure to dress for warmth and dryness if you live in a cold, wet climate. Moisture-wicking and water-repelling fabric can be critical to staying warm. If this is something that you do in your normal workout routine, try to switch up your route to keep things fresh and exciting.

Plant a Garden

Find space near you—in your yard or in a community garden—and plant some winter fruits and vegetables. Gardening can actually burn 200-400 calories per hour so you can really work up an appetite while you harvest some yummy and truly local veggies for your next winter soup.