22 Winter Workout Ideas to Keep You Active All Season Long

Winter’s chilly temperatures and shorter days can make it difficult to find the motivation to stay active, even for the most committed fitness enthusiast. Nevertheless, exercising throughout the winter months is vital for maintaining both physical and mental health. 

The good news is that there are plenty of creative ways to work out, both indoors and outdoors, to keep you moving all season long. Whether you’re braving the frosty outdoors or staying cozy inside, these 22 winter workout ideas will help you burn calories, boost your cardiovascular fitness, and keep your exercise routine exciting. 

Check out all the ways you can stay active this winter: 

• Outdoor winter sports

• Indoor home workouts

• Indoor winter sports

• Miscellaneous winter activities

Let’s check them out!

Outdoor winter sports

Outdoor winter sports are a great way to stay active and break a sweat without having to worry about overheating in the sweltering summer. Winter sports also take advantage of the season’s natural elements like snow and ice, making for a unique way to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors. 

Check out these great options for outdoor exercise this winter: 

1. Snowshoeing

2. Skiing

3. Snowboarding

4. Cross-country skiing

5. Ice skating

6. Winter hiking

Let’s dig deeper:

1. Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is an excellent full-body workout that’s both low-impact and accessible for most fitness levels. It involves strapping snowshoes to your boots and trekking through snowy landscapes, making it a fantastic way to explore nature during the winter months. What’s great about snowshoeing is that it burns calories while improving your cardiovascular fitness and leg strength. 

Remember to wear wicking material to stay dry while you explore, use poles to keep your balance, and choose trails with good traction. 

2. Skiing

Downhill skiing is a great way to spend time on the mountains with friends, enjoy winter’s natural landscapes, and, of course, take advantage of the après ski! It combines adrenaline with muscle-strengthening benefits while improving your balance and engaging your core and legs. In fact, you’ll probably even discover muscles you never knew you had the next day! 

Skiing is a fantastic way to stay active in the winter due to its mix of aerobic and anaerobic activity. Don’t forget to warm up with dynamic stretching and dress in layers to keep warm on the slopes. 

3. Snowboarding

Similar to skiing, snowboarding strengthens your core and leg muscles while testing your balance and agility. It’s a great way to express your inner winter surfer, but instead of hanging ten, you’ll be tearing up the fresh powder. 

Snowboarding is a high-intensity sport that torches calories and strengthens your endurance. If you’ve never tried it, we recommend starting with a lesson and bringing some knee pads and a helmet.

4. Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing provides a full-body workout that combines cardiovascular exercise with muscle endurance. While it may not have the same adrenaline rush as downhill skiing, it’s still a great way to enjoy the winter wonderland and stay active.

Skiing cross-country is one of the best calorie-burning activities for winter months, engaging your legs, core, and arms as well as building endurance. If you’re new to the sport, try flatter trails and be sure your gear is fitted for comfort. 

5. Ice skating

Move over, Michelle Kwan! Ice skating isn’t just for Olympic athletes in sequined one-pieces! It’s a fun way to improve balance, coordination, and leg strength during the colder months. 

Ice skating offers a dynamic workout without the joint stress of high-impact activities. While it does require significant coordination and access to a rink or a deeply frozen body of water, ice skating is a classic way to enjoy the outdoors during winter. 

Don’t forget to check your skates for a proper fit and wear gloves to stay warm. 

6. Winter hiking

If you enjoy hiking trails in the summer, you can still take part in this sport in the winter months. Brisk walking in a snowy forest or along icy trails is invigorating and great for your mental health.Hiking can improve your cardiovascular fitness and provide an escape into nature. 

For safety, we recommend using crampons or spikes for traction to avoid slipping on ice and to carry a small medical kit.

Indoor home workouts

Maybe the great outdoors isn’t for you when it’s covered in a layer of snow. No worries! There are plenty of indoor activities that deliver a fantastic workout without having to bundle up and face the frosty air. 

Check out these great indoor options:

1. Cardio

2. Yoga and stretching

3. Dancing

4. High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

Let’s dive in:

1. Cardio

Cardio machines like a rowing machine or stationary bike are great ways to burn calories during the winter. And, when you purchase a cardio machine for your home, you don’t have to bundle up and venture out to the gym to get in a good workout. 

Rowing, in particular, offers a low-impact, total-body workout, combining strength training with cardiovascular exercise and engaging 86% of your muscles in every stroke. 

Investing in a rowing machine like Hydrow can also provide you access with immersive onscreen workouts in gorgeous virtual destinations, allowing you to escape to serene lakes or winding rivers and forget about the winter storms surging around you. 

2. Yoga and stretching

Yoga promotes flexibility, balance, and mental relaxation, making it ideal for the cold winter months. It also improves blood flow and helps prevent injury, especially during more intense exercises. 

We recommend finding a dedicated quiet space and using a quality yoga mat for support. 

3. Dancing

Turn on your favorite playlist and dance for a fun, heart-pumping cardio workout! Dancing is great, as it can lift your mood during the gloomy winter months and it burns calories without feeling like exercise.

There are plenty of Zumba routines on YouTube as well, and you’ll likely find one to your favorite song or genre. We recommend trying it with a friend! 

Be sure that you have a wide space set up so that you don’t crash into anything with your vigorous dance moves. 

4. High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by rest or low-intensity recovery periods. This type of exercise maximizes calorie burn in a short amount of time. You can even mix rowing with bodyweight exercises like push-ups or squats for a full-body HIIT session. 

Indoor winter sports

Indoor sports keep the thrill of competition and exercise alive while sheltering you from the cold. 

1. Indoor rock climbing

2. Indoor swimming

3. Indoor tennis, squash, or pickleball

4. Indoor basketball

Let’s check them out:

1. Indoor rock climbing

Checking out a climbing gym can be a great activity to enjoy with friends this winter. Climbing walls challenges your strength, agility, and mental focus.

This type of exercise is a total-body workout that builds endurance and problem-solving skills. We recommend starting with beginner routes or even taking a lesson from a personal trainer. 

2. Indoor swimming

If you love swimming in the summer, you can still enjoy this sport in the winter so long as you have access to a gym with a pool. Swimming is a refreshing workout that’s gentle on the joints. It improves cardiovascular fitness while providing a full-body workout. 

Be sure you swim in a pool with a lifeguard attendee and vary your strokes for a balanced routine. 

3. Indoor tennis, squash, or pickleball

These racquet sports are fast-paced and engaging, offering a great mix of cardio and coordination. They can be a great way to socialize this winter and they’re adaptable to different fitness levels. 

We recommend using courts at a local community center or sports facility and warming up before you start. 

4. Indoor basketball

Basketball is one of a few sports that can be enjoyed all year long. Check out the court at your local fitness center and join a pickup game. Alternatively, practice shooting hoops for a fun cardio session.

Basketball is great to enjoy in the winter as it improves agility, balance, and teamwork. Remember to stretch before and after you play to avoid injury. 

Miscellaneous winter activities

Not all workouts have to feel like exercise! These winter activities keep you moving in playful and practical ways, all while enjoying the outdoors this winter. 

1. Shoveling snow

2. Sledding

3. Snowball fights

4. Snowman building

Let’s check them out:

1. Shoveling snow

Okay, so it might not be the most enjoyable activity, but this chore must get done in order to provide a safe passage from your home to your vehicle or street. Clearing snow from your driveway or sidewalk is a surprising calorie-burner that builds strength and endurance while keeping you warm. 

Be sure to use proper form and avoid lifting too much snow at once in order to avoid back strain. 

2. Sledding

Sledding is a great way to enjoy a fresh snowfall and burn calories. Trekking uphill after each ride will let you get in some cardio alongside an adrenaline rush. 

Be sure to dress warmly and choose hills with safe, clear paths. 

3. Snowball fights

Engaging in a friendly, neighborhood snowball fight is another great way to enjoy a fresh blanket of snow. This can be a high-energy workout that engages multiple muscle groups by dodging, running, and throwing. 

Warm up beforehand to stay agile and be sure to avoid icy snow to prevent injuries to your friends. 

4. Snowman building

Do you want to build a snowman? Enjoy this classic winter activity in both a creative and physical way. Snowman-building is low-intensity but is great for the whole family.

Be sure to lift with your legs once you get to the torso and head and use gloves to prevent frostbitten fingers. 

You’re warmed up!

Winter doesn’t have to put your fitness routine on ice. With a mix of outdoor adventures, indoor workouts, and playful activities, you can stay active all season long. 

For those looking to bring their fitness routine indoors, consider trying Hydrow’s rowing machines and our extensive library of workouts. Hydrow is an indoor rower that offers engaging, challenging, and efficient full-body workouts to beautiful destinations worldwide, no matter how cold it is outside. Many of these engaging workouts are just 30 minutes or less and will have you crushing calories from start to finish! Stay fit, stay warm, and make the most of the winter months with your Hydrow rower. 

Learn more about the benefits of a Hydrow rowing machine today!