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5 Winter Exercise Tips to Keep You Healthy This Season

Medically reviewed by Matt Scott, DPT, OCS | January 3, 2023

It’s not always easy to stay active during winter. The weather is cold, and the days are short, meaning exercising outside is less convenient. However, you still need to keep moving throughout the season so you can stay physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Therefore, we’ve compiled a few winter exercise suggestions to help you stay motivated. 

Set goals.

It’s always a great idea to set physical activity goals, but those targets become even more critical during the winter. That’s because it’s hard to stay motivated when there’s less daylight and you want to rest after sunset instead of exercise. Fortunately, goals can keep you focused.

Find indoor options. 

One of the easiest ways to get winter exercise is to explore indoor options. Of course, you can always join a gym, invest in a home gym, or subscribe to an exercise video streaming service like Daily Burn or FitOn. You could even walk laps through your local shopping mall. Treadmills and exercise bikes are also great options for burning calories inside. 

Use a buddy system.

Find a partner and plan to exercise together a few times per week. You’re more likely to stay physically active when someone relies on you for a good workout. Plus, you’ll maintain social connections, and that’s important for avoiding the winter blues. 

You could also join a local basketball league or dance class. Just look around and find nearby options for group exercise and fun.

Put extra effort into chores.

You don’t always have to pump iron or run to burn calories. Many household tasks require energy, such as shoveling snow or raking leaves. Even routine cleaning can be considered winter exercise. So, vacuum and mop as often as possible to maintain a spotless home AND a healthy body. 

Enjoy the outdoors. 

Winter might be cold, but it’s still beautiful. So bundle up and take walks whenever you can—especially after a good snow. You’ll get your blood pumping and enjoy the peace that comes from wandering through nature.