It's Snow Excuse

Outdoor fun for winter.

Don’t blame that powdery precipitation for hindering your winter workout—use it.

“Snowshoeing, snowboarding and skiing offer the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the Northeast in the winter while burning calories, toning muscle and increasing metabolism,” says Jerry Copsinis of Dick’s Sporting Goods in East Brunswick (732.651.3284, dickssportinggoods.com). In fact, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing burn more calories in an hour than the same time spent jogging or on an elliptical machine.

For beginners, ailing athletes or those looking for additional resistance, a trekking pole can enhance the workout and take pressure off your knees and ankles. “Utilizing poles as you snowshoe will help you keep your balance and enable you to burn more calories as you’re engaging your core and upper body along with your legs,” says Copsinis.

FIND A PLACE TO SNOWSHOE:

Snowshoe Parks and Trails in NJ