When winter rolls around, we often adopt the mindset that we can’t go outside – it is too cold, too wet or we will get sick. Nothing could be further from the truth! Exercising outdoors can offer plenty of physical and mental benefits, providing you dress appropriately and respect your own limits. If you can resist the urge to stay in, come Spring, you will be ahead of the game, and your body will thank you for it!

Embrace the cold

Embrace the cold and try a winter sport like snowshoeing with friends and family or with an organized group. You will feel invigorated, energized and proud of your new accomplishment! Snowshoeing is easy to do – if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Snowshoeing provides you with a cardio workout, a strength building component, as well as agility, balance and endurance training. Snowshoeing can change your entire relationship with winter, alleviate common depression and it is a healthy and wholesome alternative to visiting the gym.

Stay fit indoors

If being outdoors in the cold is just not your “thing”, then consider joining a fitness program that will allow you to continue your outdoor walking program safely indoors on a treadmill. Walking is a great way to stay fit and manage stress.

Group fitness

All new endeavors need a good support system to be successful, so maybe you are more inclined to seek out a group fitness program for the camaraderie and the social interaction that come with it. Whether it is a strength building program to fight the onset of osteoporosis, a stretch routine to help avoid joint and muscle injuries or an aerobic dance class to keep you nimble on your toes, all exercise programs provide your body with immense benefits that will keep you going.

The Cummings Centre has a wonderful selection of exercise programs, including a snowshoeing club! Following a simple fitness assessment, you are good to go! And remember, the best exercise is the one you actually do…

To book an assessment or for more information regarding the snowshoeing club, contact Annette at 514-734-1782.

The Cummings Centre’s mission is to empower and enhance the quality of life of adults age 50 and over by providing dynamic and innovative programs, social services, and volunteer opportunities in a vibrant, respectful, inclusive and compassionate environment. Building on its Jewish heritage, Cummings embraces people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

As the hub of Montreal’s 50+ community, the Centre touches the lives of 10,000 people on an annual basis. In addition to its main campus at 5700 Westbury Avenue in Montreal, programs are offered at several off-site locations including the West Island, Cote Saint-Luc, St.Laurent, Westmount, Chomedey and Florida.

For more information, please contact us by phone at 514-343-3510, online at www.cummingscentre.org or in person at 5700 Westbury Avenue.