Exercise in the Winter in the Windy City.

September 21, 2007 6:26 PM

[ChicagoFilter] Any suggestions for group winter workouts/sports? I have absolutely no motivation to work out alone and I'm trying to avoid joining a gym this winter. (I bike to work in the summer.) I'd like some structured workouts and/or activities to both meet people and get the heart rate up. Any suggestions?
posted by moooshy to sports, hobbies, & recreation (6 comments total)

Yup. Cross country skiing. I have gone in Western Michigan and it is wonderful. I have to guess the skiing would be good on the other side of the Lake, too. Check the golf courses around the city -- people frequently Xcountry skii on golf courses.
posted by Eringatang at 6:44 PM on September 21, 2007

My pal Pat does indoor soccer all winter. I'll ask him where, but he really enjoys it.
posted by klangklangston at 6:49 PM on September 21, 2007

Snowshoeing! And if you can round up enough people, snowshoe tag/ultimate frisbee/red rover/etc. It's a great workout, and tripping over your own giant feet in the snow while you try to compete in a typical summer sport is pretty hilarious.

Here in MN we also play a lot of broomball. There are official leagues as well as pickup games if you can find the right park. It's great fun.
posted by vytae at 8:36 PM on September 21, 2007

Consider biking through the winter? Chicago Bike Winter organizes rides through the colder months. I didn't find anything yet about the Frozen Snot Century this year, but that doesn't mean you couldn't do your own.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:43 PM on September 21, 2007

Go curling in Evanston. There may be other places, but the curling club in Evanston is awesome. And you will raise your heart rate, no doubt.
posted by achmorrison at 9:12 PM on September 21, 2007

How about Martial Arts? There are some good Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Tohkon Judo. Cohen's Judo Club. New Breed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Jeff Curran.
posted by HighTechUnderpants at 1:50 PM on September 23, 2007