Winter Wonderland Workouts

It is time to face the inevitable: Another Minnesota winter is upon us. Many of you will justify the extra few pounds you put on with the inaccessibility of exercise during the cold winter months. But the piles of snow, frozen lakes, and freezing weather (literally) are hardly excuses to burrow in your cozy home. The cold season brings new and exciting ways to exercise. And, as appealing as it sounds, your favorite reality television show and cup of cocoa are not helping your physique. Now is the perfect time to get outside, explore the beauty of Minnesota, and better your health.

Happy Trails

When the first snow falls, step into a pair of cross-country skis, and get ready to use muscles you didn’t think you had. According to Johnathan Finnoff, DO, sports medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, the rhythmic motion of kicking and gliding will engage core muscle groups in your arms and legs as well as your trunk. “The caloric output would be extremely high compared to almost anything else you can do this winter,” Finnoff notes. What’s more: Minnesota's state parks are at your fingertips, providing miles of freshly groomed trails. C. J. Johnson, outdoor media representative for Explore Minnesota Tourism, suggests you head northeast and trek the North Shore Ski Trail, which is along Lake Superior and boasts 100 inches of annual snowfall. Or, for a closer but equally stunning workout, check out the Theodore Wirth Park trails in Golden Valley or the Pike Island Loop in St. Paul. Just make sure to purchase a ski pass. All skiers sixteen years old or older must carry one. You can purchase them here.

Need for Speed

If speed is what you are after, click into some downhill skis, and hit the slopes at any one of the twenty ski areas in the state. Finnoff says the exercise benefits of both skiing and snowboarding “allow brief but explosive periods of activity, so different metabolic systems are used.” And according to Johnson, lack of powder is no excuse because in most places, they are already making it. Check out the Explore Minnesota Tourism website for steals and deals, such as $15 nights at Powder Ridge.

Another way to get your heart rate up—and also enjoy the great outdoors—is by strapping on a pair of snowshoes. Finnoff suggests supplementing the workout with poles, which “will increase your arm use as opposed to just having your arms at your side.” The scenic Gunflint Trail up in Grand Marais is an ideal spot. You can follow the trail or up the extremity by venturing your own path. And, with plenty of outfitters in the area, you don't have to worry about splurging for the equipment and breaking the bank. For something a little more local, try the Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve. You will be surprised to find almost 3,000 acres of untamed territory waiting for you just twenty minutes outside of the Twin Cities.

Ice, Ice Baby

If ice is what you crave, round up the troops, and head to a nearby frozen lake or pond for a boisterous game of ice hockey. Or, mix it up and raid the closet for a game of friendly broomball. "Almost every community has an outdoor rink and they are fairly easy to access,” Johnson says. And the mixture of power and aerobic endurance, Finnoff explains, makes it a great form of exercise.

Give your excuses a rest. Get up, invest in some microfleece, and explore some of these exciting winter endeavors. All of those beautiful lakes and woodlands should not merely be for summer use. But before you journey out into the winter wonderland, Finnoff advises two simple rules for safety: layer up, and drink plenty of water.