Try Ice Skating for a Great Winter Workout

It seems hard to believe, but December has officially arrived. And while you may not be ready to retire your running shoes just yet, your days of jogging outside in the crisp evening air are numbered (unless, of course, you are a fan of running in the snow). But don't let a drop in the temperature keep you from exercising in the great outdoors -- strap on some skates and get fit with a fun (and effective!) winter workout.

According to Todd Galati, a spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise, a 150-pound recreational skater who combines faster and slower skating can actually burn around eight-and-a-half calories per minute. And it might even be better for your joints than that early morning jog: "With running you have to land," says Galati. "The gliding motion of ice skating takes away that pounding, repetitive motion of hitting the ground."

Aside from being an excellent cardio workout, ice skating can help improve your balance and coordination, strengthen your core and work your legs and glutes. Plus, it's just plain fun!

If you're new to the skating world, don't worry -- many rinks offer skate rentals, so you can borrow a pair for a nominal fee and give it a try before you commit to blades of your own. But before you hit the ice, consider these tips from BodyBreak's Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod:

* Dress to stay warm. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing. As your body temperature increases and you begin to perspire, you can remove layers as needed. Avoid wearing clothes that are loose and baggy.
* Many community rinks provide learn-to-skate programs for all levels from little ones to adults. They also have pleasure skating times and adults-only skates. Some even have free skating hours on weekday afternoons and during holidays. Call your local rink for details. (Details here for Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal).
* When it comes to technique, the key is to keep your knees bent. Skating is all about balance, and bending your knees will help with that. Be sure to keep your back straight, not hunched. And keep your head up -- this will avoid any on-ice collisions.
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* "Stroking" is the basic movement used to get you across the ice. Transfer your weight from one foot to the other and push back and to the side to create the force to move forward. Don't lean backwards -- this will cause you to fall.
* To stroke backwards, bend your knees and pigeon-toe your right foot in. Push off with the ball of your right foot from the inside edge. Glide backward on your left foot. Bring your feet back together for balance. Repeat with the left foot. Think of carving a big letter C with your pushing leg.

Looking for more ice skating tips? You can find them here.

Even if skating isn't your thing, there are still plenty of great winter activities to choose from. Tell us -- what do you do to keep fit in the winter?