If the idea of getting all your cardio from treadmills and stationary bikes throughout the long Canadian winter feels a bit like jail time, don’t worry. There are plenty of great seasonal cardio activities done outside a gym, and skating is one of the very best.

There are other winter cardio options, of course, like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, public pools, and maybe even sledding if you climb up the hills enough. But skating has the advantage of being convenient and cost effective.

No matter where you live and work in Canada, chances are pretty good it’s relatively close to an ice rink. If you’re really lucky, you may even be near a safely frozen pond. That means to enjoy skating for exercise, there’s no need to drive very far in search of fresh snow. With public skating hours offered daily at most ice surfaces, and with some operating exclusively as public skating areas during the winter, it’s only a matter of arriving at the right time.

Skating is also a highly affordable addition to your winter cardio routine.

Buying a brand new pair of skates shouldn’t cost much more than $100, and you can easily pay less if you shop for a deal. That pair should last for many, many years. What’s more, the price to drop-in for a public skate is rarely more than $5, and is usually less. Plus, there’s almost always the option to simply rent your skates.

Of course, you could take a dip at a local pool during the winter, but the cost is about the same and it requires additional changing of wardrobe! Plus, skating is much more festive!

Another amazing aspect of skating is how great it is for your general health. In addition to providing a superb source of cardiovascular conditioning, skating helps to build strength in your core, back, hips, quadriceps, and calves. Skating also increases your balance and stability by strengthening various small muscles throughout your legs and hips that are often neglected. This can help increase your overall stability for other activities, like running or yoga.

Then there’s the fact that skating provides an impressive calorie burn. A person weighing 155 pounds and skating at a moderately active rate will burn an impressive 400 calories per hour. If you push yourself just a little harder, it’s not unreasonable to expect to burn 600 calories in just one hour of skating. Of course, burning calories is not the be-all-and-end-all of fitness, but it certainly couldn’t hurt.

Don’t forget, skating is also fun for the whole family! It is great for kids’ fitness, especially their balance and stabilizing muscles. Plus, it builds confidence and can be a great source of quality time.

So if you’re looking to shake up your fitness routine this winter, why not go back to your Canadian roots, strap on some cold steel, and skate to your heart’s content.

Shaun Karp is a certified trainer and owner of Karp Personal Training in Vancouver, B.C.  For further information call (604) 420-7800 or visit his web site www.karpfitness.com.