FitSugar

Make Snowmageddon Work For You

Michele Foley — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:00:38 PST

The East Coast is knee-deep in a snowpocalypse - or as some call it, snowmageddon. While some people are understandably pissed off at the headache that all of this snow presents, there are others who are making the most it by turning their city into a ski resort. I've seen pics of cross-country skiers making their way through Central Park, people snowshoeing in Philly, and others snowboarding their way through DC. My favorite has to be all the sledding and snowball fights that are going on. I admit that I have no idea what it's like to deal with a blizzard: temperatures at Sugar HQ are in the 50s.

If you're stuck in the snow this week, give yourself a snow day pass and burn some calories, too. Sledding burns over 300 calories an hour, snowshoeing over 400, and a hike through the snow will definitely get your blood pumping. And while a little fun in the snow might not take away all of the burn of the snow storms - think: school closures, airplane delays, and just getting to the grocery store - it might kill a little time until things can get back to normal.

Baby It's Cold Outside: Winter Activities to Warm You Up

Michele Foley — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:50:37 PST

I'm freezing, literally. In the last few weeks, the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees - a chilly reminder that Winter is only a few weeks away. Under the circumstances it's easy to want to bring workouts indoors, but there's a lot of fitness fun to be had, even in the chill of Winter. Here are my favorite ways to warm up and burn calories this season.

Glide across the ice - Lace up your skates for a session at the nearest ice rink or frozen over pond. An hour of ice skating will burn 414 calories.
Get on board and catch some air - You don't have to be Gretchen Bleiler to get the benefits of snowboarding. For every hour you spend on the slopes, you'll burn upwards of 250 calories.
Strap on some snowshoes - Whether it's a walk, run, or afternoon hike, snowshoeing is a major workout; in one hour, you'll burn over 400 calories.
Head to the mountains for a ski session - Nothing says Winter like some hot cocoa at the lodge after skiing. And since a couple hours of skiing burns 827 calories, you can easily go for seconds of hot cocoa.
You have to go up to get down - Sledding may seem effortless as you're whizzing down the hill, but getting back up it will work your backside. Spending 30 minutes sledding will burn 198 calories.

Calorie burn based on a 130-pound woman that's 5'5". Calculate a more accurate burn stat for your weight and height with our Calorie Burn tool.

Source: Flickr user stevendepolo

Get Fit For 2010: A Reader's Favorite Workout

Fit Community — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:30:13 PST

This week's challenge for the Get Fit For 2010 giveaway is to share a workout that works for you. Read why FitSugar member benheld's favorite workout doesn't feel like work at all.

I really love downhill skiing and snowshoeing, although I don't get to go out too often. Usually I'm having sooo much fun, it's not until the next day when my whole body is sore that I realize I got quite a workout!

I live in Chicago so I patiently wait for snow to go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing - it's too flat for any good downhill slopes here. I'm originally from Montana, and when I get a chance to go back I love skiing at Discovery; Great Divide is also really close to my hometown.

Here's a fun pic of me snowshoeing in Chicago this year - I'm in the green coat.

I'd love to hear about more readers' workouts, so join our Get Fit For 2010 community group and write a blog post about your favorite workouts. By participating, you'll not only be on your way to a healthier you, but you'll also be entered into the drawing for our weekly giveaway of a $100 Nike gift card as well as an awesome grand prize.

Winterize Your Workout: Snowshoe Running

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:00:09 PST

If you vowed to have a treadmill-free Winter, you're not alone - many die-hard runners bundle up and continue to run outside, even when it's below 30° F. The challenge isn't so much the cold and the wind since there's gear for that, but issues arise when you live in a Winter wonderland covered in snow. You can't exactly put on your waterproof sneaks and run in a foot or more of white stuff without ending up with soaked feet. That's where snowshoe running comes into play. Just like regular snowshoeing, the special flat shoes you wear over your sneakers allow you to stomp on top of snow. The metal cleats on the bottom give you traction on slippery ice and hills.

Snowshoe running is much more challenging than regular running because of the added resistance of the snow and the slightly increased weight of your feet. Just like when you first started running, ease into snowshoe running. Walk at first and gradually add intervals of running. As your body becomes stronger, you'll be able to run in the snow for 30 minutes or whatever your goal time is. I would not recommend running with regular snowshoes, though, as these are bigger and more likely to break under the added pressure. Many companies make snowshoes specifically designed for running, so check out my picks below.

Atlas Run Snowshoes ($200)	Atlas Race Snowshoes ($310)
Tubbs Velocity 22 Snowshoe ($200)	Kahtoola FLIGHTdeck TS23 Snowshoe ($269)	Redfeather Race 25 Running Snowshoe ($200)

Strap on Snowshoes and Burn More Than 400 Calories!

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:18 PST

Winter can be brutal for sun-loving people who love to exercise outdoors. When the snow falls and the temperature drops, sunshiny forms of exercise may be tough, if not impossible. That doesn't mean you can't burn it up outside though - you just have to learn to love a Winter sport. One of my favorites is snowshoeing because it's fairly inexpensive, as easy as walking, as challenging as running, and it's a way to appreciate the beauty of Old Man Winter. In an hour of stomping around in the snow, you'll burn 433 calories. Here's how to get started.

Rent a pair of snowshoes from a nearby gear shop, which will probably cost less than $20 a day. Bring along the Winter boots you plan on wearing, so you can get a proper fit. You may want to rent poles as well to help you navigate up and down steep terrain.
When you head out, dress in layers. Wear wicking baselayers close to your skin, waterproof snowpants, a fleece midweight layer on top, and a waterproof softshell over that. Mittens, warm socks, and a hat are a must. Don't wear too much because snowshoeing is tough work and you don't want to overheat.
If you have woods in your area or a hike you're used to doing in the Summer, you can snowshoe there. If you don't know where to go, ask around for good spots. You may want to go to a resort that offers cross-country trails, which are perfect for beginner snowshoers.

For the rest of the tips keep reading

Know Snow Conditions for Trails Nationwide

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:00:00 PST

Nothing is worse than getting all geared up for a fun day of cross country skiing or snowshoeing only to find out there are hardly any trails with snow on them. Spare yourself the heartache by checking current snow conditions before you go. All you have to do is search by region or state/province and you'll get current snow conditions for any resort or trail system in the U.S. and Canada! Pretty cool, eh? So if you're going to be hitting the trails alone or with your honey, be sure to check it out here.

Happy skiing or snowshoeing!

Top Winter Sport Calorie Burners

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:38:06 PST

Since snow has finally fallen in many parts of the country, Winter sports are in high demand for their fun factor. Lucky for us, they're also great ways to burn some serious calories. Check out which burn the most.

Tips on Choosing Snowshoes

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:30:00 PST

If hiking is your favorite Summer pastime then you're going to love snowshoeing in the Winter. Hiking on snow-covered trails is incredibly peaceful, but requires more than just boots for footwear. Snowshoes slip over your boots and allow you to step on top of the snow, even when it's more than a foot deep. They have grippers on the bottom, and some even have metal spikes on the toes (called crampons), that allow you to dig into snow and ice and get up steeper trails.

Before buying a pair, it's a great idea to rent snowshoes first. Check out the activity before investing in the gear. If you love to snowshoe buying a pair will not only save you money in the long run, but also you'll be motivated to go if you own your own pair.

Here are some tips on choosing snowshoes:

Know that they can be pretty expensive, ranging in price from $100 to $250.
Deciding what kind to buy depends on where you'll be tromping. You can get snowshoes for easy and flat trails, steep and icy inclines, back country, and ones to run in.
Snowshoes are also made with different materials. Most are made with light-weight aluminum, but you can also get traditional ones made out of wood and rawhide.

To see the other tips

There are also different bindings. Some are made with durable fabric straps that adjust easily to any boot size. You can also find bindings made out of plastic, that mold to your toes and heels for even more of a custom fit. Some have buckles and some have cinches for easy entrance and exit. The easier they are to get on and off, the more expensive they'll be.
Snowshoe size is based on your total weight (you and your gear).
Whatever snowshoes you choose, make sure you have really supportive, warm boots to wear with them. Bring those boots to the store and try on all types of snowshoes so you can get a feel for what you like.
Some popular brands to choose from are Tubbs and Atlas.

Snowshoeing is one of the best cardio workouts I've ever done. All that snow makes for great resistance, kind of like when you walk in waist-deep water. You're guaranteed to get an awesome lower-body workout and nothing beats the beauty of walking in a world covered in snow. Source

Get Ready for Snowshoeing!

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:30:00 PST

I know for many of you, Winter hasn't quite arrived, but flurries have been reported in parts of the US and reports of snow get me all excited for snowshoeing. If you love hiking in the Summer and Fall, you've got to try snowshoeing in the Winter. When there's snow on the ground, snowshoes make it much easier to tromp around without slipping. Most places that rent skis and snowboards also rent snowshoes for a fraction of the cost of downhill equipment.

Why do I love snowshoeing? It's easy to learn, inexpensive (compared to other winter sports), and it's just like walking, so there's little risk for injury. Plus, it's a great cardiovascular workout - snowshoeing for one hour burns over 1,000 calories.

So start thinking about strapping on some snowshoes. Whether you live in a place where it snows or are planning on traveling to a snowy place this Winter, you can rent snowshoes for about $9 a day, and poles for $3 (these are necessary if the trail is steep or icy). Snowshoeing is such a great Winter activity because you can do it anywhere you would walk or hike, and it's a great way to get out and enjoy the Winter wonderland.

Source

If You Can Walk, You Can Snowshoe

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 03:30:00 PST

What better way to spend a morning with your favorite person than walking through the woods on a beautiful, crisp and clear day. If you love to hike in the Summer, you've got to try snowshoeing in the Winter.

If there's snow on the ground, snowshoes make it much easier to tromp around. Many gear stores that sell or rent skiis and snowboards also rent snowshoes. Go the day before to rents shoes and poles and ask about some great beginner trails.

What is so great about snowshoeing? It's easy to learn, inexpensive (compared to other winter sports), and it's like walking, so there's little risk for injury. Plus, it's a great cardiovascular work out - snowshoeing for 1 hour burns over 600 calories.

You've got the shoes and poles, but what about the rest of your body? What else do you need?

read more Before you head out the door, make sure you're dressed for the weather.

Layer up with a Polypro or Wool baselayer, a fleece, and a waterproof down coat over it.
On the bottom, wear a baselayer underneath snowpants.
Make sure you have warm socks on and waterproof winter boots.
Don't forget your warm hat and waterproof mittens too.

Fit's Tips: If you're really into snowshoeing, check out the Tubbs 2007 Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer. It's a benefit that involves snowshoeing walks, races, and free demos and prizes. It's a great way to raise money (and awareness) for breast cancer research, education, and treatment.