5 Outdoor Winter Workouts That Don’t Feel Like Exercise
It’s cold, you’re going out of town, you don't feel like wearing running tights; there is a thing called wine. It can be tough to summon the enterprise needed to exercise in winter—so this year, why not try something that feels less like a workout and more like seasonal fun? From gliding through Central Park on skates to the most scenic hike on the California coast, here are five stealth workouts that will boost your heart rate, energy levels, and your mood.
Fatbiking in Jackson Hole
With a light frame and extra-wide tires (almost four inches), fatbikes make it easy to pedal over snowy terrain, allowing you to explore places faster than you would on cross-country skis, but not zip by them completely on a snowmobile. In Jackson Hole, a guided bike tour through Grand Teton National Park means that since your view will be of the Grand Teton Mountain Range (instead of your sweaty indoor spin instructor), even the tough moments of pedaling will feel inspiring.
Ice Skating at Central Park's Wollman Rink
A casual trip to the skating rink may reveal who in your social circle has a history with the Ice Capades—but even if you don’t know what you're doing and you mostly slide around the ice, you're still working the large and small muscle groups in your hips, knees, and ankles, as well as your core, which will help stabilize you on the frozen surface. If you’re moving at a moderate pace, thirty minutes spent gliding across this picturesque rink with views of the New York City skyline can burn as many as 230 calories.
Hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore in California
The devastation of California's deadly wildfires is still being felt by much of the state, but solace can still be found in the Golden State by way of the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County with over 150 miles of hiking trails to help you work up a sweat. One of the most popular trails is Tomales Point, which is not only home to the majestic tule elk reserve, but offers brilliant, panoramic views of the Pacific blue ocean.
Cutting Down Your Own Christmas Tree in Vermont
Break up a sedentary stay in a cozy Vermont cabin (if you're not on the slopes at nearby Killington, that is) with a trek to cut down your own Christmas tree. In the state's Green Mountain National Forest, a Christmas tree permit (purchased beforehand at one of the organization’s offices) will run you $5, but the vast, fir-lined wilderness—and the cardio workout of trudging through the snow, sawing down the tree, and lugging it to the car—is free.
Making Snow Angels in the Rocky Mountains
Building snowmen, shoveling fresh powder, plodding through drifts, and (yes) making snow angels are all winter activities that make your heart rate go up, while engaging your arm, ab, and leg muscles. Instead of making one angel, make five—or ten! And remember that the deeper the snow, the better. Extending your limbs as long and straight as possible will also up the movement from playful to challenging. For a place that's rife with both views and flakes? Take the Gondola to the top of Aspen Highlands mountain, play for an hour, then head inside for Raclette and fondue at the area's beloved Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro.
