How To Stay Active and Healthy During a Minnesota Winter
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With temperatures that dip below freezing and frequent flurries of snowfall, the long Minnesota winters may make you want to stay hunkered down inside with a cozy blanket and cup of cocoa. However, staying active and healthy during this frigid time of year is essential to ensure your fitness goals don’t freeze over.
While your winter workout may be cold initially, you can easily stay fit, healthy, and energized during the winter by adopting the right mindset and investing in the proper gear. As Minnesota natives ourselves, the pros at Acorn Mini Storage® are here to help you understand how to work out in the winter, including suggestions for apparel and the best exercises for cold weather.
Best Outdoor Winter Workout Clothes To Stay Warm
When it comes to outdoor exercise during winter, wearing the proper winter clothing is essential. Investing in quality winter workout clothes will make outdoor winter workouts much more enjoyable, allowing you to stay active without getting sick. Here are some tips to keep in mind before your next winter workout:
- Layering is important. You must wear multiple layers of clothing during the winter to stay warm. Remember, you can always remove a layer if you get too hot.
- Look for moisture-wicking materials. These will keep sweat off your skin and help regulate the base layer of your outfit.
- Add an insulating layer. Wear a fleece, sherpa-lined coat, or down jacket to trap your body heat inside your clothing.
- Wear a windproof and waterproof coat. Invest in a warm winter coat that protects from harsh winter winds and moisture from snow.
- Don’t forget gloves, socks, and a hat. You must keep your fingers and toes warm to prevent frostbite, and a hat will keep valuable body warmth from escaping.
Outdoor Exercise During Winter
While the cold may discourage you from venturing outside, Minnesota winters offer unique and fun outdoor exercise opportunities. With the right gear and proper preparation, you can enjoy these outdoor workouts in winter without worry.
Ice Skating for Winter Cardio
Ice skating is a fantastic winter cardio workout that helps build balance and coordination. Whether you skate at a local rink or find a frozen lake nearby, ice skating engages your legs, core, and cardiovascular system. It’s also a ton of fun, whether alone or with a partner!
Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking
Snowshoeing and winter hiking are great ways to stay active and explore Minnesota’s beautiful snowy landscapes. Both activities provide a full-body workout, helping to build strength and endurance. Snowshoeing, in particular, makes walking on deep snow easier, while winter hiking trails that remain open year-round allow you to trek around in your regular boots.
Fat Tire Biking Through Snow
Fat tire biking is an excellent way to fit in your winter exercise outdoors. The oversized tires make it easier to ride over snow, providing an invigorating workout that combines cardio and strength training. Many Minnesota trails are open for fat tire biking in winter, allowing you to explore the great outdoors while taking in breathtaking views.
Indoor Winter Exercise Ideas
Plenty of winter exercise ideas can be done inside a well-organized home if you’re not keen on braving the elements. Try some of these fun and effective indoor workouts to see why staying active during the winter months doesn’t have to mean staying outside.
Join a Gym for Winter Exercise
A gym membership can be the perfect way to ensure you stay active through the colder months. With various equipment and classes, getting in a full-body workout is easy regardless of the weather. Whether you prefer strength training, group fitness classes, or using cardio machines, a gym gives you the flexibility to mix up your routine and stay engaged during the winter.
Walk Indoors for Winter Cardio
If you enjoy walking but don’t want to face the harsh Minnesota winter temperatures, consider walking indoors at a mall or on a treadmill. Indoor walking is an excellent form of winter cardio that gets your heart pumping without fighting through the elements. If you’re looking to make it more challenging, try walking at an incline or adding intervals of faster-paced speed walking.
Find Winter Workouts You Can Do From Home
Stuck at home but still want to get your heart rate up? Plenty of exercises for cold weather can be done from the comfort of your abode. Bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks require no equipment and are perfect for staying strong during the winter. You can also try online workout videos or apps for variety, with everything from yoga and pilates to HIIT and dance classes.
Rent Climate Controlled Storage in Minnesota From Acorn Mini Storage®
You can depend on Acorn Mini Storage® as a trusted resource as you try to stay active. For instance, you can move your extra furniture and items into one of our winter storage units to create room for a home gym setup or rotate out summer clothes to make room for warm winter workout gear. Once spring comes around, you can store things like snowshoes or ice skates at one of our storage facilities instead of stuffing them in your hall closet.
Whether you’re looking for a small storage locker or a full-sized storage unit, we have multiple sizes available to ensure you can find something that suits your needs.
Ready to get started? Find an Acorn Mini Storage® facility near you or browse our FAQ and storage tips today to learn more!
