20 easy ways to stay physically active this winter

Parking far away from your destination is one of the oldest tricks in the book to sneak in a little more physical activity, and that doesn’t change during the winter. In fact, if it’s cold outside, you might be more motivated to move faster from your car to your destination. 

On particularly cold and snowy days when you don’t want to leave your home at all, walk around inside. Listen to a podcast or turn on a playlist to keep you occupied while you walk in and out of different rooms. If you have them, put on some ankle or wrist weights for a little extra intensity. 

If walking around your home gets monotonous, walk around a nearby mall. It might feel a little silly, but it’s a great way to get your steps in. And you’re in the perfect place to find yourself a treat when you’re finished. 

This might drive you crazy, but it will definitely help you get your steps in. When you’re putting away laundry, fold it in a different room than where it goes and put away one item at a time. 

Winter is the perfect time to set up that home gym you’ve been thinking about for all those years. It can be as simple as a corner in one room where you keep some free weights and a Pilates ball. Just get some tools to help switch up your exercise options. 

Getting an exercise machine is another great way to stay active in the winter. There are tons of options, so choose something within your budget and space restraints that you’ll use and enjoy and doesn’t become a place to hang clothes. 

Winter is a great time to try new forms of exercise that don’t rely on equipment. Yoga, Pilates, and barre are three good options that use body weight for intensity, and they can all be done at home. There are lots of free videos online to help beginners. 

If a gym really is your jam, find one that’s nearby. You'll be much more inclined to go if it’s only a short distance away from your home. Bonus points if it’s in your building, and you don’t even have to go outside to access it. 

Commit this winter to make your workout something you can only do indoors, like aerial fitness, and switch it up when spring returns. Having a workout that’s designated to a certain time of year will excite you and encourage you to make the most of it while it’s in season. 

Cooking is an active activity. You have to stand, and you have to move around. It’s not the most intense activity, but it will at least get you onto your feet for an extended period of time. Plus, you get to eat tasty food when you’re finished. 

Sign up as a volunteer for an activity that forces you to move, like moving something or walking door-to-door. You’ll be more likely to follow through on your commitment if it’s volunteer-based, and you’ll be forced to move your body if it’s activity-based. 

There’s no reason you can’t go outside during the winter. Take necessary precautions, of course, but if you enjoy the cold, walk outside. If you hate the cold, walk outside and use the temperature as motivation to finish your walk faster. 

If you live somewhere where it snows a lot, get into a winter sport. There are loads of winter sports that require physicality, like skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. If you don’t know how to do any of these activities, you may want to have a lesson. 

Shoveling snow might seem like a silly suggestion, but anyone who’s done it before knows how physically taxing it can be, especially if there’s a lot of snow on the ground. If you want to get some movement in after a snowstorm, volunteer to shovel. 

Signing up for an exercise class is always a good way to stay active, especially in the winter. Use the opportunity to discover new ways to move your body. You might find something you want to stick with even when it warms up. 

Dance classes are always a treat, and they’re good ways to get active. You’ll be surprised at all the different muscles you’re working. You can take a dance class with a partner to get some social interaction or go on a date, too. 

Depending on your level of physical activity, bowling might not be the best option for a workout, but it’s still a fun way to get your body moving. At the very least, it’ll force you to stand up and walk a little bit.

Unless they’re covered in snow and ice, any time you have the option to take the stairs in the winter, take them. Climbing stairs is an underrated form of physical activity that is surprisingly intense and gets your heart rate going.  

If you can afford it, go shopping for your workout. Shopping in person requires lots of standing and walking, both of which are good for your body. Shopping also ensures you get a reward, so it’s a win-win. 

If nothing else, just stand up. Even on the coldest of days, when all you want is to be snuggled on your couch with a blanket and a movie, stand up. Take a quick lap around your living room. Set alarms to remind yourself to move your body.