The thought of doing mountain climbers may bring you back to your elementary physical education class, but your P.E. teacher may just have known what he was doing. Mountain climbers are actually a great strength training and cardiovascular exercise mixed into one. They help increase your endurance, which is were the cardiovascular workout comes in, and they work to increase your core strength and upper body strength.

How to do a mountain climber:
1. Get into a normal push up position on your feet and hands. Be sure that your back is straight and your abdominal muscles are contracted the whole time.

2. Bring the right knee up to the chest.

3. Extend the right leg back out at the same time you start bringing in your left knee to your chest.

4. Keep quickly alternating your legs. You can do mountain climbers for a certain period of time as 5 minutes or you can do a set of 100 of them.

If you want to make your mountain climbers a lot harder, try doing them with your hands on a balance board. The balance board gives instability which makes you work that much harder to stay balanced during the exercise. Mountain climbers with a balance board will have you feeling your abs the next day. You can also choose to add ankle weights as well to make the exercise more challenging for you.

When performing mountain climbers, your abdominal muscles should be engaged the whole time. When you bring your knees up to your chest, there should be a slight twist that also helps to slim the abs as well. Also, since you are in a push up position the whole time, your upper body such as your shoulders, triceps, and upper back is working to keep you supported, which means they are getting a workout as well.

Mountain climbers, although they may seem silly at first, are a great way to get a strength workout as well as a cardio workout for your entire body.

Winter is here and rather than huddle down and hibernate baby boomers should get busy and wake up the body with a winter fitness regimen. The tendency during the winter months is to stay indoors and hunker down, however, with a little bit of motivation and the right winter gear, maintaining a winter fitness regimen can be quite successful in addition to making one have feelings of overall wellness and a better self image.

Walking or running during the winter months is a great way to stay toned as well as to get one's cardiac work in while taking the opportunity to enjoy the winter season. One of the keys is wearing clothing that is comfortable yet warm and allows layering including thermal tights, base layers shirts, hats, gloves and warm socks. The Nike Thermal Tight is a great base layer pant to wear during the cold weather. Made from 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex, the contoured tight is designed to wick moisture away from the skin, resulting in warmth and dryness. Available in black, the Nike Thermal Tight retails for approximately $79 and is a great addition to one's fitness clothing wardrobe.

One of many great brands for layering clothing on the upper body is Dale of Norway, which makes a great base layer long-sleeve top made from 100 percent Merino wool, is body fitting and has a crew neck design. Available in black and red, the Dale of Norway Base Layer Long Sleeve Top retails for approximately $78.

One of the best ways to stay warm while enjoying a winter fitness regimen is by wearing a hat and gloves. A great choice is the SportHill 3SP Glove and Infusion Beanie. Made specifically for cold weather and available in a variety of color combinations, the SportHill 3SP Glove and Infusion Beanie is made from 90 percent polyester and 10 percent spandex and designed for insulation, breathability, wind blocking and moisture blocking. The retail price for the 3SP Glove and Infusion Beanie is approximately $56. With the right warm clothing and motivation for fitness - the sky is the limit.

While you may want to curl up and relax, it's important to keep your exercise program going during the winter months. After all, just think about how many more Holiday leftover sweets you can eat if you burn off the calories. In this week's blog, we'll discuss a few fun ways to burn calories this winter.

If you're a gamer, chances are you own a Nintendo Wii. If not, you really should consider it. Playing the Nintendo Wii will actually burn calories. Just 15 minutes of boxing on the Nintendo Wii burns 125 calories. This is the type of exercise you'll actually enjoy. If boxing isn't your cup of tea, play tennis. You can burn 92 calories every 15 minutes. Best of all, many of the Nintendo Wii games help you burn calories. For example, you'll burn hundreds of calories playing a couple hours worth of King of Fighters. Who said video games were bad for you? Get off the couch and burn some calories as you enjoy your favorite games.

Video games aren't for everyone. But most people do enjoy dancing. Dancing can be done inside your home as you watch TV or listen to music. You can even enjoy a romantic evening of slow dancing with your partner. Ten minutes of slow dancing will burn anywhere from 80 to 105 calories, depending on your weight. On the other hand, 10 minutes of fast-paced dancing will burn 94 to 124 calories. Dancing is not only a fun way to exercise on a cold winter's day, but it also tones your muscles leaving you with a fit body.

If you'd rather get outside and enjoy the weather, why not go skiing? Skiing is a wonderful way to burn calories. Depending on your weight, an hour's worth of downhill skiing will burn 340 to 510 calories. Best of all, it won't feel like exercise at all.

What are you waiting for? Enjoy an exercise that doesn't seem like exercise this winter.

Fitness gurus and personal trainers encourage us to try circuit training for that super-buff body we've been coveting all year, but when you're not disciplined enough to play boot camp master on every workout, chances are you just stick with your usual gym routine. Maybe this is the season to change things up and jump into some new activities? Heart-pumping winter sports including snowboarding, cross-country skiing and even snowshoeing. These are just a few ways to get out of that fitness rut and slip and slide into mega-calorie-burning mode.

If you're used to watching the ski bunnies from the comfort of your cabin all winter long, commit to at least one cross-country skiing session per week and enjoy a workout in the process. Skiing will get your metabolism revved up in no time, and it is the perfect excuse for taking in some fresh winter air. Just put on that puffy snow jacket or vest, grab some snow goggles and navigate down those slopes for a killer lower-body workout.

When you're anxious to try an extreme sport activity this season, head out on a snowboarding adventure with some boots and gloves that will keep you warm and protected against that harsh winter chill. Snowboarding will give you a chance to put your upper and lower body muscles to the ultimate test; you'll need to balance and maneuver that board across challenging terrain at a high speed, but this heart-pumping activity is sure to turn that calorie burn up a few notches.

No snow in your area this season? You can still change up your winter workout routine with a mountain biking trip or hiking excursion. Give that lower body the ultimate workout by adding weights to your ankles for resistance or loading up a backpack with extra gear. You can count on a super-calorie burning workout after just 20 to 30 minutes of constant movement.

Getting into a fitness rut is easy when your daily workout schedule consists of angst-ridden minutes of running on the treadmill and training for hours using the good old elliptical machine. Unfortunately, your body has probably adapted to the ho-hum routine, and you aren't burning off as many calories as you think during every workout. Jump into a fresh new workout routine to give your metabolism a boost and enjoy the great outdoors this winter.

Baby boomers who have taken on new athletic ventures during the spring and summer season need only to beef up their athletic gear to stay warm for the fall and winter season. There is no need to discontinue a fitness program that has grown strong during the mild months or revert to training inside. The combination of crisp fresh air, nature and enjoying the outdoors is imperative to excellent physical health and overall wellbeing.

Selecting warm athletic clothing provides added warmth and comfort to the workout process. There are a couple of excellent lines of winter athletic gear from which to select including PUMA, Kuhl, Nike, Moving Comfort and others. A great choice for men's athletic gear for the upper body is the PUMA Winter Top, which is available in Vaporous Grey. Made from 100 percent polyester the PUMA Winter Top has a front zip, reflective logo on the front, reflective seam tape on the back and cuff and thumbhole grips. This is a great piece that can be layered over other pieces without feeling restricted from activity. The retail price for the PUMA Winter Topthe PUMA Winter Top is $69.95.

Winter weight leggings are also important to have, especially for runners. An excellent choice of winter leggings for baby boomer women is the Nike Winter Leggings, which are made from 95 percent cotton and 5 percent spandex for comfortable fit. Features of the Nike Winter Leggings include soft-rib fabrication, pieced-on waistband for comfort and the Nike logo on the left hip. Designed for comfort and warmth and also ideal for layering in extremely cold weather, the Nike Winter Leggings help to ensure warmth and keep baby boomers active during the winter season. The retail price for the Nike Winter Leggings is $46.

There is a variety of great winter active wear pieces baby boomers can add to their fitness wardrobe, which are all designed to ensure warmth and comfort and to promote the incentive to maintain one's fitness goals. Don't let a little bit of chilly weather get in the way of a great fitness routine.

As winter approaches and baby boomers plan winter vacations, consider being innovative and bypass the traditional luxury cruise. In fact, why not get edgy and adventurous and consider a *ski vacation*? If you are a beginner, it is never too late to learn and that includes seeing baby boomers on the bunny slopes.

Beginners should know that actual ski equipment such as skis and boots can be rented so the focus should be upon warm clothing. Decide what is most comfortable for you and your body type. The focus should be on ski gear such as après-ski attire, ski pants, jackets, one-piece suits and basics. Baby boomers can take liberties with their après-ski attire and get as fashionable as desired, just insure that the gear is comfortable and conducive for the cold weather.

The basic clothing needed for skiing requires warm outer pants, jackets or one-piece suits that are insulated. Baby boomers who are also beginning skiers may enjoy the comfort of one-piece suits. A popular choice among female skiers is the Salomon Psychic One Piece available in Aqua Tint X. The loose-fitting, pull-on-pant, one-piece suit has a zip front closure and high-neck powder collar for warmth. Other features include an attached hood with faux fur trim, multiple pockets, goggle wipe, belted waistband and more. One of the key features of this garment is the vent system designed for maximum breathability while providing warmth and optimum insulation. The one-piece waterproof suit retails for $604.

The Salomon Conspiracy Piece for men is available in purple and made from climaPRO Storm Plain Wave 3L, which is fully waterproof and offers maximum breathability. The loose-fitting waterproof garment is machine washable and offers a pull-on-pant styling with full zip front closure and storm flap, high-neck powder collar, inner bit with suspenders, multiple pockets, hood attachment, goggle wipe and premiere ventilation system and retails for $604.

Where traditional cruise vacations may be the norm for baby boomers, live on the edge this year, ditch the cruise, get suited up, booted up and head for the bunny slopes.

When the forecast calls for snowstorms and subzero temperatures, heading outdoors on your usual morning run or biking excursion might earn itself a rain check status. Still, keeping in shape during the winter months is easier when you schedule yourself a few indoor sporting activities. You don't have to be an athletic superstar to take on an indoor roller skating challenge or show off your skills on the indoor soccer field. Just grab your gear and head off to a fun, heart-pumping activity that will get you that fitness fix!

Kick off your athletic shoes and strap on a pair of roller skates for a lower body workout like no other. Just track down a roller skating rink in your area for a fun, but challenging, fitness activity that will get your fitness routine into high gear. Be sure to get fitted for the right size so you're slipping and sliding on that rink for the right reasons.

If you're a soccer aficionado, head to the indoor field for a calorie-burning game that might just keep you in great shape this season. A pair of indoor soccer shoes will get you on track to soccer stardom; just look for a pair with extra traction and a flexible sole for extra comfort.

Missing those outdoor tennis games? Turn yourself into a racquetball enthusiast this season and get a terrific total body workout in the process. This fast-paced sport requires a lightweight pair of athletic shoes so you can maneuver around and play the court like a pro. Look for hard-court shoes with extra lining and cushioning for extra comfort.

When the day calls for a game of indoor volleyball, get yourself in gear with some supportive court shoes. A pair of lightweight shoes made with a molded toe and mesh inserts will give the extra support and comfort you need to stay on your toes for that fast-paced game.

From the roller skating rink to the indoor soccer field, you have few excuses to skip the fitness routine this winter. Grab your gear and take on that next fitness challenge with any of these indoor sports this season!