5 unique winter exercise ideas (that don’t require a gym membership)

Don’t let cold weather drag you into inertia. Here are five winter exercise ideas to keep you moving!

During the cold winter months, it’s easy to let our good intentions for daily physical activity go into hibernation. Often the most appealing idea is curling up on the couch with a warm blanket, watching a favorite movie.

Here are five winter exercise ideas for staying active during the winter, even if you don’t own exercise equipment and feel no love for the gym.

1. Clean your room — or any part of the house.

Your new winter workout doesn’t have to be a traditional exercise. Vacuuming, dusting, changing sheets, hanging up clothes and putting dishes away will raise your heart rate and keep your arms and legs moving. You might even work up a sweat.

2. When the weather turns snowy, shovel the driveway.

Shoveling snow is very physical work and will get your heart rate up – it’s a good strategy unless you have a medical condition that limits strenuous activity. If not, you can even offer to shovel your neighbors’ drives as well, especially if they are not physically up to the job. Of course, if the weather is mild, getting outside for a walk most days is an invigorating break. It doesn’t have to be a long hike. A 10-minute lap around the block will perk you up, stretch your legs and get your blood flowing.

3. Don’t forget about games and sports.

Take part in the ones you already love, or perhaps loved when you were a kid. Winter exercise doesn’t have to be cold — basketball, roller skating and bowling are all great ways to be active without being outside. So is laser tag, and it’s fun to do with your children.

4. Try something new.

Sign up for a boot camp class, try yoga with a friend or go ice skating. Is there anything you ever thought looked like fun but never tried? A new physical skill challenges the brain as well as the body. The new year is a great time to mix things up.

5. Dust off those DVDs and activity game consoles.

A dance DVD or the Wii game console help make exercise fun, and they’re good for a solo sweat session or to enjoy with children.