Now that the weather is getting colder, my son is getting in the mood for winter activities. He practically salivates every time we drive past the sledding hill, even though we've yet to see a single snowflake. Just yesterday he asked if we can go to the ice skating rink this weekend. Despite the rink's year-round availability, my son isn't really in the mood for ice skating until it's chilly outside.

If you have an ice skating rink near you, why not give it a shot? Not only is skating a lot of fun for the whole family, it's also a great workout. It benefits your leg and core muscles as well as improving balance and flexibility.

Just like any other activity, it's important to warm up properly and be safe. Alive magazine has some tips to help you get the most out of your ice skating experience.