In the northern hemisphere Winter’s cold temps, shorter days and snow covered streets often force even the most hardcore fitness enthusiasts off the streets. But just because it’s cold and there is 12 inches of snow outside you don’t have to lose that fitness you worked so hard to gain and maintain through the summer and fall. Winter offers a variety of different exercise options that can not only help you maintain your hard earned fitness but maybe even improve it. Try some of these fun and challenging wintertime exercise alternatives and stay strong through the winter months.

• Throw in a workout DVD and challenge yourself right in your living room. Many yoga and home-based workout videos are even available for download direct to your iPod or smartphone. [Plug for PumpOne or should we describe videos more?].
• Check out a pilates or vinyasa yoga class. Both of these options will not only stretch and lengthen your muscles but also help you to develop your core strength.
• Head over to the local health club and try Spinning® class. Forty-five minutes will never seem so long again.
• Strap on snowshoes and make some tracks on the hiking trails or walking paths of local forests or reservations. For a real tough wintertime workout try snowshoeing hiking trails up local mountains.
• Try Nordic skiing. Classical style X-C skiing is a low impact exercise that allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings as you slide along through forests. In contrast, Skate style X-C skiing on fast groomed tracks provides a tough workout that will truly test your anaerobic fitness.
• Go skiing or snowboarding
• If your health club or gym has a pool try incorporating some swimming into your workout routine. Start by swimming 30 minutes easy as a means of active recovery. As you get more comfortable in the pool you can begin to include some drills and harder efforts to push yourself in a whole new way.
• Grab your kids, partner or friends and go sledding down some local hills. Sledding might not be the most demanding workout, but it’s a lot of fun on a winter day after a fresh snowfall.

What's your favorite winter workout activity? Please comment and share!