Winter workouts that burn a lot of calories

Some people feel like winter is for bundling up and hiding from the cold, crisp air. Others look forward to the refreshing combination of a brisk workout with little chance of overheating.

Of course, you need to take appropriate precautions and dress for the weather conditions so you don't end up hypothermic or at risk of frostbite. But presuming you do your due diligence in that regard, there is no reason to go on hiatus from fitness.

Skiing

There are a variety of skiing options, from cross-country to downhill skiing. They all give you a serious workout and can burn upwards of 500 calories per hour.

Cross-Country skiing has been known to burn more than 1000 calories per hour for serious devotees. That's why skiing tops our list. If you really want to feel the burn, checking the snow forecast and strapping on some skis may be the single best way to feed the need for calorie-burning speed.

Snowboarding

If skiing is not your cup of tea, but you would love to be out there in the snow, consider snowboarding. It's a little less intense and more on the fun side. That's no doubt part of why it's so popular. The sport burns 300 to 450 calories per hour while giving you easier thrills than downhill skiing.

Hockey

If solo sports aren't your cup of tea and you really need a team thing, hockey is a great way to burn 400 to 600 calories per hour. Find an ice rink and join a team or get your own gear and gather up some like-minded friends.

Snowshoeing

This is another great alternative to skiing and is a terrific introductory winter sport for people new to winter sports. Like skiing, it's a serious workout that lets you enjoy the great outdoors, but it costs less and is more beginner-friendly. You can just put the gear on over your winter boots and start hiking to burn an estimated 400 to 600 calories per hour.

Running

Running is always a good way to burn some calories. It lets you burn them up at a rate of 600 to 1,200 per hour at any time of the year.

You may need to do a little extra planning to avoid icy patches and similar potential drama along the way. You may also want to think about the best time of day, both in terms of temperature and visibility. Still, if running is your thing, simply check the forecast, throw on some breathable layers, and hit the pavement, just like you would at other times of the year.

Ice Skating

If you love ice skating but aren't into hockey, the good news is that you actually burn calories simply skating than playing hockey. If you go at like you really mean it, you can burn up to 700 calories per hour.

Hiking or Walking

If you hike or regularly walk for exercise at other times of the year, there is no reason to give it up just because it's cold outside. Hiking burns between 430 and 650 calories per hour and walking burns between 200 and 470.

Bonus points: You can get in a workout doing regular chores, such as walking the dog or running errands on foot. If you choose to run errands on foot to get in some exercise instead of driving everywhere, you can also feel good about protecting the environment and combating climate change.

Winter Chores

You might be inclined to hire the neighbor kid to rake your leaves, but hold up and run some numbers first. Not only can you save a few bucks by doing it yourself, but you can also burn 250 to 400 calories at the same time. Win-win!

If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace that you use for heat or as backup heat for emergencies, you can burn 400 to 500 calories per hour chopping wood. This can also save you a few bucks over purchasing the wood. What's not to like about that?

Shoveling snow at a vigorous pace can burn up to 500 calories per hour. So the next time you need to shovel snow, just time it and count it as a workout. It still needs to be done, but maybe you can find it less groan-worthy.

Cold weather is no reason to skimp on fitness. It involves a little extra planning, but it's worth it!

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