How to Exercise in Winter Weather

By Steve Silverman

Golfers who want to stay on top of their games in the winter months may not be able to hit balls when there is snow and ice on the ground, but they can take steps to stay in shape. Golfers are much more health-conscious now than they were generations ago, and exercises that build core strength and promote flexibility can be done year-round at home or in a gym to help a golfer come back to his sport in good shape once the weather allows him to play again.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Sit on an exercise ball and find your balance point. Lean backwards until your back is parallel to the ground. Sit up about 12 inches. Return to the parallel position. Do this exercise 15 times. Take a 30-second break and repeat the set. This will build core strength and also help your back.

Step 2

Sit on an exercise ball and find your balance point. Let your arms extend straight down. Pick up a 3-pound dumbbell in each hand. Curl them up to your shoulders and then return them to the starting position. Do this 10 times, take a 30-second break and then repeat the set.

Step 3

Stand on an exercise band with both feet. Grasp one end in your right hand and the other end in your left hand. Hold your hands at your sides. Pull your hands up to shoulder height. Let your hands go back to the starting position. Do this 10 times, take a 30-second break and then repeat the set.

Step 4

Secure an exercise band to a heavy piece of furniture. Take the other end with both hand and hold it at arm's length away from your body. Pull the band close to your midsection and hold it there for two seconds. Return your arms to the starting position. Do this 10 times, take a 30-second break and then repeat the set.

Step 5

Swim at a local indoor pool, such as the YMCA or at your local high school or college. If you have a chance to get in the pool, it will help your cardiovascular conditioning and also help you get stronger. Try to swim 20 minutes at a time or break it up into two 10-minute sessions.

Tips & Warnings

Stay active in the winter months and make sure you eat wisely. Eat vegetables and fruit at least twice a day and cut out much of the red meat from your diet.

About The Author

Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.