The cold season usually means lots of snow days as well as lots of snowed-in days! While a break from school or work may be nice it may feel like you’re cramped indoors without much room to exercise.

Winter months can contribute to increases in inactivity and days of sedentary activity, which also increase health risks. Remaining sedentary for an extended period of time can lead to increased blood pressure, hypertension, obesity, and other risk factors for chronic diseases.

Exercise is a highly effective way to keep your health in tip-top shape but may be increasingly difficult as it becomes harder to traverse through those big piles of snow and cold temperatures.

Here’s a list of some bonafide exercise tips that keep your physical activity up during winter!

Enroll in a local gym or fitness class at a nearby location

Local gyms, community centers, and similar locations offer a great outlet to maintain healthy physical activity during the winter.

A gym offers an indoor area where you can perform your exercises with ample space and the right equipment, regardless of the weather! However, you may want to use this opportunity to enroll in a fitness class that you’re interested in. Like to dance? Then find an aerobics class that uses dance moves to encourage exercise? Want to become more flexible and gain cardio? Try a Pilates course or a form of yoga.

Take the time to look around for a gym or a similar facility to find the perfect exercise environment for the winter season!  

Use the outside weather to engage in physical activity!

Sometimes, the heavy snowfall can help make the outdoors one giant playground for both adults and children.

If there are large piles of snow, try making a snowman, doing snow angels, or going sledding with your children. In addition, heavy snow makes for a good ski or snowboard trip at a nearby ski resort.

However, it is important to remember to pace yourself if you are shoveling snow. You may experience increased cardiovascular risks as your blood pressure becomes higher and the cold air outside constricts your blood vessels. Just remember to take it easy when going outside and getting active during a snow day!

Have a backup plan in your home for extreme weather conditions

If the weather becomes increasingly dangerous or cold, it always helps to have a backup exercise plan just in case.

Try stocking up on personal and inexpensive exercise equipment such as free weights so you can exercise in the house. Individual exercises such as stretching, push ups, sit ups, jogging in place, Pilates, and yoga can easily be done in a personal area.

Ask a friend, personal trainer, or a family member about how you can feasibly maintain a high-quality exercise regimen in your household! They may be able to help personalize your indoor exercise plan to meet your healthcare needs!