Your Ultimate Snow Day Workout

Remember when snow days were fun? You’d hear on the radio that the buses were shut down or that school was closed. You most likely then scampered back off to bed for a few hours before waking up and jumping into that fresh powder! Ah - the glory days.

Unfortunately, it might echo differently into your adult years. A snow day often means a hectic and stressful commute and after all that, the last thing you want to do is make that extra stop at the gym on the way home (Trust me, I feel ya).

Yet, there’s a way you can still get that fitness workout in - minus the additional stop - and take advantage of the snow. We’ve got you. Let’s dig up a little fitness inspiration and throw some fun back into snow days. How? With your ultimate snow workout!

Get ready… We’ve got more than one idea so no excuses. Pick one and go with it and please make sure to protect your skin with the proper precautions before heading out into the cold.

The Best Winter Workouts

Now, let’s dive in! It’s time to move your body.

1. Sledding

Sledding as a workout? Heck yes. Grab the kids, find a hill - and it better be a steep one. Here’s the deal: Your kids can go up and down as much as they want, but for you, this is your workout time.

... And yes, you still get to slide down the hill, so get your snow pants on and find your inner child!

Take it to the Hill

1. Step 1: Climb up the hill.
2. Step 2: Slide down the hill.
3. Step 3: Find a spot close by with the most snow in it and try to run back and forth through it five times or challenge yourself by running back up the hill. (Don’t kid yourself here, it’s going to be tough work).

OR

Take it to the Mat

Get your sledding done from the warm comfort of your home.

1. Plank it out. Start in a high plank. Then drag your feet up as close as you can get them to your hands.
2. Stand up. Plant your hands down into the snow again (make sure you have gloves on).
3. Walk your hands out into a high plank and repeat for 8 repetitions.

Either way, your inner child will have fun and you will get your workout in. It’s a win-win.

Related Article: Consistency: Your Way to the Body You Want

2. Snow Ball Targets

This one is only really good if it’s packable snow, so when the snow is just right… Pick a tree - any tree!

Get your snowball ready. Pack it tight. Aim! And fire! Make sure to alternate arms. Do 5 per side, then why not throw in some snow burpees to get your heart rate up? Then, do 5 throws per side again. How close can you get to your target?

This is also a fun activity for the whole family! Make it a challenge to see who can hit closest to a target you create.

3. The Snow Shovel HIIT Workout

Got snow to shovel? Good. Here’s your workout for the day.

Note: Watch your back when shoveling. The last thing we want here is back pain for the next few weeks (then you won’t be getting in any workout for a while). Activate that core and move carefully!

1. Start with a few dynamic stretches. Try some arm swings, a few lunges, some squats… get your blood flowing.
2. Perform 5 shovels (make them good ones!) while being conscious of your back.
3. Then get down into a plank and perform 10 mountain climbers. If the area you are in is too slippery or you can’t get down into a plank, the modified version is to do 10 jumping jacks or false jacks (which involves walking on the spot while moving your arms like a jumping jack). It might work best to even do this part on the snow that you haven’t shoveled yet.
4. Then, get back to shoveling and repeat whecan.

Continue alternating between the two until you’ve shoveled the entire area. You may even choose to do a different exercise in between shoveling intervals. You could do push-ups, snow sprints, plank holds, and more! Get creative.

4. Your Backyard Snow Workout

The key to staying warm in the cold is to move. And this workout won’t leave you freezing. If anything, you might be taking off a few layers. This is a 20-minute interval workout you can do in your snowy backyard or even a park. Grab a timer and perform each exercise for 1 minute.

Exercise #1: Burpees

Jump up as high as you can. Jump down into a plank. Perform a quick push-up. Then, jump back up. Do as many as you can in a minute.

Exercise #2: Boat Hold

Sit with your legs in front of you. Find a spot that you won’t slide from. Lift your legs up and off the ground. At the same time, lift your back up and off the ground. Extend your arms alongside your body in front of you. Hold here for the whole minute.

Exercise #3: Lunge Foot Drags

Stand in fairly deep snow (enough that it will add resistance). Step your right foot out wide to the side. Bend your right knee, then slowly drag your left foot toward your right foot. Repeat this 5 times on one side, then 5 times on the other side.

Exercise #4: Snow Angels with Ab Crunch

Lie on your back in the snow. Perform 2 snow angels, then extend your arms forward, lift your shoulder blades off the ground, and crunch! Do 2 of these, then 2 snow angels. Continue to alternate.

Exercise #5: Snow Jump Squats

Squat down and then push off and jump! Leap forward so that you land in fresh snow each time. Continue to do as many as you can for the full minute.

Do 3-4 rounds of these 5 exercises! Feel the burn.

Turn Your Snow Day Around!

Snow can still be fun - even as an adult. And it can create a great excuse to get in a great workout. No need to stop at the gym! Get outside and have some fun. And hey, why not get the kids involved too? Snow doesn’t mean you need to be stuck instead. In fact, you should take this as an opportunity to truly enjoy winter and all it has to offer.

If you’re still struggling to enjoy winter, check out this article on making your own sunshine during those colder months.

Read this next: Self-Care Sunday: Move Your Body