What is the best outdoor winter workout?

The Question: The cold weather is finally here which often means no training outside in the fresh air. What we need is something to cool off growing tempers and more crowded gyms. What is the best outdoor winter workout? Be specific. What makes this the best workout for winter weather? What dangers exist when dealing with the extreme cold and how can you avoid injury or worse? Bonus Question: Have you used this workout and who would you recommend it to? Show off your knowledge to the world! The Winners: EAGLES56 Prizes: 1st place - 75 in store credit. 2nd place - 50 in store credit. To use your credit, e-mail Justin @ justin.podzimek@bodybuilding.com for more info. 1st Place - EAGLES56. The cold weather is finally here which often means no training outside in the fresh air. What we need is something to cool off growing tempers and more crowded gyms. dots Outdoor Winter Workout What Is The Best Outdoor Winter Workout? Be Specific. dots It's cold outside but you've had enough of the crowded gyms. You know you should exercise and are determined to stick with your training to maintain your physique and ultimately reach your fitness goals. The best outdoor workout includes both resistance training and cardio. dots arrow The Winter Workout: dots Warm Up: 5 minutes of light jogging Dynamic stretching 3-5 Rotations Of: 5 Pull ups / Chin ups 20 "reps" per side of Chopping Wood / Shoveling Snow Shovel Snow + Click To Enlarge. Shovel Snow. 20 jumping jacks Click Image To Enlarge. Jumping Jacks. Video: MPEG (755 KB) - Windows Media (191 KB) Extra: Go for a 15-minute hike through the snow. This is guaranteed to work your legs. Cool Down: 5-10 minutes walking Stretching print Click Here For A Printable Log Of The Winter Workout. *Be careful. Avoid any twisting of the spine and never put your back in a vulnerable situation. Proper shoveling technique includes a bend at the knees, scooping up the snow with the shovel, standing up and walking the snow a few steps away before dumping it. Many people injure themselves during the bent rotation while tossing the snow away. I do not recommend any rotational movements to those with pre-existing back problems. Stay safe. dots arrow Other Suggestions For Winter Activity: dots Make a Snow man / Snow woman / Snow fort - You'd be surprised how much energy it takes. It can be a good family friendly activity too. Build A Snowman + Click To Enlarge. Build A Snowman. Go tobogganing. Obviously not for everyone but the marches back uphill make for a good leg workout. Pull a weighted sled through the snow. Go skating. Make sure the ice is thick and will not break. dots The Best Workout? What Makes This The Best Workout For Winter Weather? dots This workout is best for winter weather since it includes an appropriate warm-up, resistance training and cardiovascular activity with a cool down. Related Cardio Articles: Cardio For Fat Loss. - By Darin Steen How Can One Track Their Cardio Progress? - By Topic Of The Week Cardio For Optimal Fat Loss. - By Sam Glauber Other Cardio Articles ... It's not too much to leave you stuck in a chair the next day, but it isn't too little that you feel as if you haven't done anything. After this workout you'll walk away with a sweat and a sense of accomplishment. dots Dangers What Dangers Exist When Dealing With The Extreme Cold And How Can You Avoid Injury, Or Worse? dots Always dress accordingly to the conditions - It's the winter. T-shirts and shorts are no longer an option. Opt for multiple layers, thick warm socks, gloves and a toque. You should still be able to move but you shouldn't be really cold outside. Never attempt exercise without a sufficient warm-up - Exercising stiff muscles increases the risk of injury. Think of your body as a big engine. When you first start the engine, it takes a little while to get going, after a few minutes the engine is ready to go - the same applies to your body. RELATED ARTICLE How Important Is Warming Up? How Important Is Warming Up? Much of the time you will see people stretching out their legs before a run, or stretching out any body part before they train it. It's also popular for people to begin warm-up sets before they really get into the workout. [ Click here to learn more. ] NEVER train when the weather is too rough - Considering going for a run in a blizzard is NOT an option. Don't train alone - Have someone in the area in case something goes wrong. Never train in a completely secluded area as the weather may change and jeopardize safety. Related Injury Prevention Articles: Bicep Tendon Injuries. - By Dr. David Ryan Increasing The Safety Of Sports? - By Athletes Topic Of The Week 7 Steps To Safe Workouts! - By Matt Danielsson Other Injury Prevention Articles... dots Bonus Question Have You Used This Workout And Who Would You Recommend It To? dots Living in Canada, I'm subject to a solid 4 months or more of winter weather. While most people sit inside and put on the 10 pounds they lost over the summer - or on top of the weight they tried to lose - I try to stay active. All the time indoors drives me stir crazy. I've tried this workout and other similar variations. I recommend this workout to those healthy enough to participate in outdoor activities in the cold. Consult a qualified physician before participating in winter activities.