Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

This article is about a school district that has introduced snowshoes as a fun way to keep their students active during the winter.

• Happy News – Schools hope snowshoes get kids moving – by Associated Press

They seem to be an economical option for schools:

“Snowshoes certainly aren’t the only winter option, but for many schools they may be the most practical. Skis can cost a fortune and require regular upkeep. Learning to ski can be tricky and time-consuming _ tough to do when the typical gym class lasts 45 minutes. Meanwhile, outfitting a class of 30 with snowshoes runs around $1,200. Maintenance mostly is a matter of keeping them clean.”

They look like a fun option for adults also. I wondered what the cost would be for me to get a pair of snowshoes to play with and after looking at Amazon, they range between $40 and $250. REI had a selection of much more expensive and complicated snowshoes.

This website is a basic introduction to snowshoeing:

• Snowshoes & Snowshoeing Page – A Snowshoe Primer

Next time you look at the snow and think that there is no way for you to exercise, remember that there are always options. I have run in the snow, rode my mountain bike in the snow and even taken leisurely walks in the snow. All you need is determination and you will be able to keep fit all winter long.