Have You Ever Snowshoed?
Snowshoeing is a great form of exercise in the cold and snowy New England Winters.
Skiing in New England is an important part of many people's lives. When the winter months arrive many locals get ready to store away their bikes and their outdoor sports gear and head for the ski mountains.
Skiing is a great form of recreational exercise but many New Englander's do not ski and are constantly looking for an alternative form of recreational outdoor exercise. Indoor gyms and facilities are always a great alternat5ive to the cold New England winters but some of us like to get outside and experience the fresh winter air and take on some exercise.
A couple of years ago I took up snow shoeing as a way to get outside and experience exercising in the winter. As someone who has never been a skier I was looking for an alternative form of exercise outside of the gym.
Snowshoeing is a very low maintenance activity. All you need is a pair of snowshoes that run anywhere from $75-$150 for a beginner pair and up to $300 for an advanced pair. Snowshoe poles are also nice to have if you are braving hills in the deep woods or mountains. You can also find deals on kits that also include protective sleeves to place over your boots so that the excess snow does not get in your boots. Kits are usually priced in the $100-$200 range. Lastly, all you need is a heavy pair of winter socks and winter boots and you are ready to go.
Snowshoeing is a fantastic form of cardiovascular exercise and also a great way to increase muscle strength in your legs. When you are hiking through the snow you are fighting the resistance of the snow and making it more challenging and an overall better workout.
Another great benefit of snowshoeing is the amazing nature that you take in that you would otherwise not be able to see in regular footwear. Snowshoes allow you to explore areas deep in the woods or trails where wildlife and nature are at their best.
If you are looking for places to snowshoe in Tewksbury try any of your local hiking trails, large snow packed fields, and check out trails.com for hills and trails located in the area, like Weir Hill trail in North Andover, MA.
