Skullcandy is a brand-name in music listening devices, including headphones, earbuds, MP3 players, hands-free devices and more. Founded in 2003, the highly-successful Skullcandy company was founded on the principle of creating portable audio equipment suited to an active, athletic lifestyle, with a particular emphasis on sports like snowboarding and skateboarding. Skullcandy's products are aimed at action sport enthusiasts but have reached a much wider demographic -- appealing to sporty and non-sporty types alike.

Sold in over 40 countries worldwide, Skullcandy products are known for their unique, hip hop-inspired design and their versatility throughout a variety of activities. Their ear buds are particularly popular, having been dubbed the "world's coolest ear bud" by CNN Money.

Maybe you're lucky enough to live where it's warm in February. Where I live, however, it feels like we're in the middle of a never-ending winter. I spent one day this past weekend at a sledding hill and plan to go back soon to try out the ice skating rinks and cross-country skiing trails. It's a pleasant change from my usual living-room based winter workout.

Whether you want to stay toasty indoors or you're ready to brave the cold, AOL Health has a list of fun winter workouts, including:

• Mall walking. Believe it or not, this can be a decent workout. Try circling the mall several times before slowing to a window-shopping pace. And be sure to check with your local mall; some have walking clubs and open the doors early for walkers.
• Dance. Whether you're just moving to some tunes in your living room, following a dance exercise DVD or hitting the club with some friends, dancing can be a great workout.
• Ski or snowboard. Both downhill and cross-country skiing are excellent sources of activity. And they're exhilarating, too!
  
• Snowshoe. It may look easy, but walking with snowshoes is an intense activity. Use poles for balance and cross over an open field or walk along a snow-covered path.

For more ideas, check out the full article on AOL Health.

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I don't know what it's like where you live, but outside my window there's very little green to be seen. Everything is covered in a thick and frosty layer of white. But just because you don't see much green, doesn't mean you can't go green when it comes to winter sports. As an added perk ... you'll end up with more green in your wallet.

• Rent. If you hit the ski hill only once or twice a year, you really don't need to own your equipment.
  
• Buy used. Ebay, used sporting goods stores, and sites likes Craig's List and Freecycle are great places to search for sports equipment. Keep your eye out for skis, snowboards, skates, hockey gear, and other winter treasures.
• Equipment swap. Many ski clubs hold equipment swaps where you can bring in your unused gear and look for something new (to you, anyway). If you have a child on a hockey league or other winter sport, consider setting up an equipment swap with other parents.

If you've got old equipment that's really not fit for use anymore, try to find a new purpose for it and keep it out of a landfill. I unloaded a ridiculously old set of skis on Freecycle last fall; the person who picked them up is going to attach them to the bottom of a large crate so he can easily tow his gear across the ice on his way to his ice-fishing shanty. You just never know what use people can get out of old items.

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Surfing and snowboarding are fantastic workouts, but they have some specific requirements -- namely, waves and snow. And sure, you can always skateboard, but what if you're ready for a new challenge? You just might want to look into Freeline Skates.

The creators of Freeline Skates are serious about sports like these -- sports that get them "charged up." The website says, "Freeline Skates are a testament to the awesome potential of each of us." Not only are they a fun way to get your adrenaline pumping, but they also do a fantastic job of working your inner thighs and ankles.

What's cool is that these skates have lots of possibilities, as shown on the site's video page. Even though they incorporate many of the moves you'd use in the sports mentioned above, they're definitely unique.

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Safety helmets have become standard gear for biking. So much so that people don't think twice about putting them on. But many still go zooming down the side of a slippery mountain without the protection of a helmet. It's ridiculous if you think about it. Even more ridiculous when you consider that there were more than 26,000 head injuries from winter sports in 2007, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Keep safe while sporting in the snow by following these tips:

• Wear a helmet approved for your specific sport.
• Protect your eyes with goggles.
• Wear appropriate clothing.
• Use additional safety gear when it is available (e.g. hockey pads).
  
• Don't drink before skiing or snowboarding, and don't participate when you're not feeling well.
  
• Avoid hazardous conditions such as ice-coated sledding hills.
• Use approved areas for ice skating, skiing, snowmobiling and sledding.

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Do you have people in your life who just aren't satisfied with a jog around the neighborhood? You can foster your loved ones' adventurous spirits with holiday gifts that are as rugged as they are.

You can find adventure sport gear or accessories that fit any budget. Do keep in mind that certain items -- especially wearables such as helmets -- require a certain fit, so be sure to purchase items that can be easily exchanged if they don't fit correctly. Check out the gallery for some ideas.

For some people, the snow-covered ground is a reason to stay inside under a warm blanket. But for others, the white stuff is an invitation to be active and adventurous. If you like to backcountry ski, snow shoe, hike over a wintry trail, or go backwoods camping during winter, packing for your active adventure can be a challenge. Outside Online has some tips from the pros:

• Chris Figenshau is a photographer, but you won't find him in a comfy studio. Instead, Figenshau spends more than 100 days a year following elite skiers. Some of the things you'll find in his backpack are dark shades with side hoods, a pole with an ice ax to help when walking on icy snow, and he swears by the light and easy to maneuver Obsethed skis by K2.
• Victoria Jealouse, snowboarder, brings a quality thermos filled with hot tea or soup, lip balm with sunscreen, a first aid and repair kit, and a satellite phone. Though it may not be something most want to discuss, she also brings the Freshette, which allows her to go to the bathroom without exposing everything to the icy-cold wind.

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Maggie just told you to head indoors for your winter workouts. I'm with her. But some of you may be dreaming of working out in a winter wonderland. If skiing and snowboarding are in your future, make sure you're in shape before you hit the slopes. Divine Caroline has some training tips you should consider.

• Work your core. Sports like skiing and snowboarding require balance and core strength. Your core comprises your abdominals, obliques, lower back, and hips and helps your body remain stable during a variety of activities.
• Train your strength. You'll need strong muscles and joints in the snow, especially knee and hip joints and everything surrounding them. Work on your upper body strength too -- focus on triceps, shoulders, and your back so you'll be a pro with your poles.
• Flex your body. Skiiers and snowboarders need flexibility. So get stretching, and don't neglect the hamstrings, quads, hips, calves, IT band, piriformis, and lower back. Might as well get the upper back, chest, and shoulders too. Stretch at least three to four times per week after your muscles are warmed up.
• Pump up your cardio. Your heart and lungs need a workout too. Build your endurance with running, swimming, jumping rope (here are five reasons you should be jumping rope) aerobics, sports like soccer, climbing stairs, cycling, kickboxing, and more. Take your pick, and stick with it four to six times per week for 30 to 60 minutes a pop.

Come to think of it, this advice seems good for all-around fitness. No matter what your sport or goals, give these four a go and see how your body transforms. And for guidance on specific exercises to help you capitalize on these training tips, check out Divine Caroline here.

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Do you spend your summer seeking outdoor adventures? Mountain biking on rugged trails or scaling the face of a rocky mountain? While opportunities for your favorite outdoor adventures may not be so numerous in winter, you can still get your adrenaline rush indoors.

Men's Health shares four amazing indoor adventure sports centers across the country. But you may be able to find something a little closer to home. For example, in my neck of the woods there's an awesome rock climbing wall at the community center, a rowing pool at a local rowing club, and an indoor skating/biking facility just a couple hours away.

And don't forget about all the incredible adventure sports -- such as snowboarding and skiing -- winter has to offer as well. AOL Health has 11 fun winter fitness activities to try.

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Even though I grew up in New England, I've never really been into winter sports. The few times I've tries skiing, I ended up with more snow on my face than what was left on the mountain. Snowboarding wasn't any better. An athlete all through my life, I suddenly turned into an uncoordinated mess once I hit the slopes. Aches and pains aside, I was at least able to burn some serious calories.

An hour of skiing generally burns around 380 calories per hour, while snowboarding burns about 400. Your legs and core muscle also get a great workout, which is why the hot tub back at the lodge is always a site for sore eyes (and backs) at the end of the day.

For more skilled skiers and snowboarders, spending an entire day on the mountain can be done almost effortlessly (at least I've heard as much). Nothing beats getting in a fantastic workout while doing something that you love.

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We know that helmets are for biking and other warm-weather sports, but as skiing and snowboarding become more high-tech, high-speed, and high-octane, skull and spine fractures have become more common in winter sports as well. A helmet can significantly reduce a person's risk of injury, according to this article at WebMD. Health experts are strongly recommend helmets for skiers and snowboarders alike.

If you get a helmet, make sure it fits snugly. Use the sizing chart and try several on to find a good fit. Find more tips on picking out a helmet and staying safe on the slopes here.

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Into winter sports? Snow skiing and snowboarding can be filled with exhilarating moments and tons of fun. that is, if you don't become Superman and try ridiculous stunts and have fun in a dangerous way.

Research released this week concluded that more head and spinal cord injuries are happening all around the globe due to unsafe use of winter sports equipment. The reason? Sportsgoers are engaging in more unsafe acts using all that equipment. Apparently, it's too hard to be involved in winter sports in a very safe, conservative way these days.

One small help, according to the senior researcher on the study, would be to always wear a helmet. Although many folks I know shun helmets because of some stupid social stigma, it could easily save you from massive injury on the slopes. Do you wear one?

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Last week, a winter storm dumped a significant amount of snow on many parts of the country, and that can only mean one thing -- winter sport season is here! Whether you snowboard, ski, ice skate, or just love to hike through a quiet, snow-covered wilderness, the arrival of winter brings with it endless and exciting ways to be physically active.

Dave's Backcountry Ski Blog will make you anticipate your next cross-country skiing trip with gorgeous photos from Dave's latest excursions.

If you're thinking of trying a new sport this year, you might be wondering what you need to do to be prepared. Check out this link to find out how to get fit for snowboarding.

And Fit Sugar reminds us that dressing for winter sports requires some finesse. Stay warm while you workout by learning how to dress for winter running.

Don't let the snow slow you down -- get out in it and play!

We got our first big dump of snow over the weekend and it reminded me that winter -- and snowboarding season -- are just around the corner. Lucky for us, then, that Fitsugar has taken some initiative and given us some tips for how to shape up for snowboarding best. By following their advice, you can be strong and in-shape when you first hit the hills, and you can reduce our chances of next-day soreness after our first few days on the slopes.

Here's what they recommend:

• Work your quads with exercises like leg presses, squats and lunges
• Work your hip flexors with leg raises
• Work your core with plank, crunches and maybe even pilates
• And don't forget to do your cardio too, to improve your endurance.
  

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A few years ago, when the yoga class at my gym was full, I decided to try Pilates. At the time, I was doing 100 crunches a day and working out frequently, and I thought it would be a piece of cake for me. I was wrong. While I found that the abdominal strength I already had helped me through the class, the class wasn't really about strength; it was about endurance, namely the ability to hold a pose for a while and move slowly through the movements. That was the hard part for me, and it's something I still struggle with, years later.

These days, pilates is trendy, practiced among many A-list celebrities like Jennifer Aniston. It's a great class for beginners, but I think it has even greater benefits for people who are already active. Until I took pilates, I never realized how big a role my core plays in everything I do. Since I've taken pilates, I'm much more aware of my core strength and try to integrate it into every sport and activity I participate in. Using my core, I'm better at many things, including wakeboarding, snowboarding, volleyball and even yoga. I'm hoping to try surfing this year and know my core will play a huge part in that so I better start preparing.

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