There’s nothing quite like the feeling of gliding over the ice on skates. While you may not be able to go head-to-head with 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, every Olympian starts somewhere.

While it may seem like a fun pastime, figure skating also burns calories. If you weigh 150 pounds, you’ll burn about 640 calories by doing an hour of vigorous ice skating. To calculate your hourly burn rate, multiply 4.25 by your weight in pounds.* The more you add to your continuous loops around the rink, the more calories you burn – throw in a few turns and feet changes, and you’re up to 800 or so calories an hour.

Whether you’re in it to compete or just take on a new challenge, figure skating is a phenomenal workout. “Skating movements come mainly from your legs, butt and back, which will all tone up through skating. You will certainly improve your flexibility through long strides and tighten your core through the balancing act that is figure skating,” Kenny Moir, Director of Figure Skating at Sky Rink, explained to me.

So, put a little chill in your fitness regime and keep yourself active during these exciting Vancouver games. 

*Excerpted from The Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution. To learn more or to purchase, click here.