Snow-robics: The New Exercise Craze

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Snow-robics: The New Exercise Craze
2.9.10

You can’t park your car outside all winter and expect it to start come spring. Likewise you cannot park you carcass indoors all winter and expect it to function when the weather finally warms.

After a recent snow storm I went outside to investigate. There were places where the snow was drifted chest high and places where the grass was showing.

After struggling to walk through a thigh high drift I was exhausted, sweaty. It is hard work to walk in fluffy snow. That’s when I got an idea for a new outdoor exercise routine: Snow-robics.

For those days when you cannot make it to the gym, or like me can’t stand the idea of exercising indoors, head outside and give Snow-robics a try. It pays to dress for the occasion, not in those skimpy gym clothes but in layers of outdoor attire.

Start your workout by stretching with a few snow angels, bend this way and that to make snow balls or create a snow man. Proceed with the warm up by sweeping or pushing snow at a casual pace while clearing the walk ways.

Once warm it is time to get the heart pumping. Find some loose snow and start walking this will increasing your heart rate. The deeper the snow the harder you will work until you tucker out, get stuck, or drop over with heart failure. Don’t go that far.

Thigh high drifts require the agility of a gymnast to lift booted feet and maneuver legs step by step while wearing insulated overalls. This post-holing is only recommended for the very flexible and fit. Start with ankle-deep or knee-high drifts these are plenty for most of us.

Be warned that if you don’t have your boots laced tight or your pant cuffs tucked into your socks you could be in for the unpleasant experience of snow against skin. The remedy for this is to rush indoors, peel down to your union suit, prop tootsies on the hearth near a warm fire and start a slow drip of cocoa. 

Vary the depth of snow to increase or decrease the Snow-robics work out. You will warm up quickly so be prepared to peel off a layer or two as you go. Ski poles or hiking sticks help with balance and involve upper body muscles in the work out.

My friend Jon said of walking in snow, “It’s tough, like running in the sand at the beach.” Except that you’re wearing a snow suit rather than swim suit, wearing mukluks rather than flip flops, and the extra10 lbs. of insulated clothes to compensate for the 60° temperature difference. Otherwise, yes, it is just like a run on the beach.
 
Follow the cardio session with a cool down of more shoveling (great for upper body fitness), sledding session, pushing cars out of drifts, snowball fight, and finish off that snowman.

Cross country skiing is my favorite Snow-robics. Snowshoeing is also fun. These sports will really get you huffing and puffing. The added advantage is that you can travel further and see more of the winter wonder land.

Start this new Snow-robics routine and your neighbors will think you’re crazy. But you will show them when you turn your all-you –can-eat buffet body into a sculpted buff body.

Join us for the next Winter is for the Birds, Gourds & Gourd Craft program on March 11, 7PM at the St. Marys Community Library.

The Heritage Trails Park District presents Dave Stilwell, award-winning gourd grower who will share the art of growing gourds. Participants will receive a bird house gourd and together we will make it into a usable bird house. The fee for supplies is $6, no registration required.

Allison Brady, Executive Director
Heritage Trails Park District
Your partner for parks in Auglaize County