Just because the winter is upon us, there is no need to forgo being active and including outdoor workouts in your routine.  It may take a bit more fortitude, and taking advantage of good weather, but with a bit of preparation you can have some seriously awesome workouts outside this winter.

Snow shoeing, they say, is the fastest growing sport in America these days, and for good reason.  It is fun, it easy to learn (if you can walk, you can snowshoe), and it is great exercise.  Plus, the trails that you now and love in the summer, turn into winter wonderlands when the snow flies, with far less traffic.  With a little preparation, you can have the most memorable outdoor experiences with your snowshoes.  Make sure you are prepared for winter conditions with adequate clothing, - GoreTex is your friend!  Always carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies, and educate yourself a little about Avalanche awareness.  More and more snowshoers are getting themselves into a bit of trouble because of the capability to get into the backcountry with snowshoes.  So it is important to be able to recognize avalanche dangers when you see them.

Cross-country skiing or 'skate skiing' may be one of the best workouts you will ever have.  Cardiovascularly there are few activities more demanding.  There are several Nordic skiing areas with groomed and non-groomed trails and bountiful acres to skate through with those cross country skis, putting your backcountry worries to rest.  You can go in the backcountry with your cross-country skis, but the necessary preparations stated above apply.  Backcountry skiing with what is called a Randonee setup is a favorite.  In a Randonee setup, you have a free heel like a cross-country ski, but your skis are more like a downhill ski.  This allows you to get into the backcountry and climb hills like you would on cross country, but then you have the capability to lock your heels down at the top, and downhill ski down.  Both are cardiovascularly demanding, and also a wicked workout on your quads, glutes, and of course, your core.  Awesome!!

If heading to the winter wonders of the mountains is not your thing, there are plenty of workout opportunities with in confines of the city.  One of the greatest things about living in the Northwest is the myriad parks and green spaces we have here.  Just because it is not warm and sunny, does not mean you cannot head to a park do a great workout.  Having the right clothing will make all the difference.  There have been improvements by leaps and bounds in cold weather aerobic training clothes in recent years.  Breathability and warmth have been incorporated into your clothing, making working out outside in the winter fantastic.  Make sure you do not overdress, as with your workout you will be creating a lot of body heat, warming your core.  Be sure to wear glove liners and a hat though, as you lose heat through your head, and your fingers will freeze as you begin moving.  From, there you can do everything outside in the winter that you can do in the summer.

 So dress warm, prepare for the elements, and get out there and enjoy the winter and get your workout while you are at it!