We all know that we should eat less and exercise more. But if you're not a fan of protein shakes and running on a treadmill like a hamster in a wheel, then what options are available to get a little fitter with some fun? Sports are a great way to exercise with purpose, and choosing a team based sport will be a boost to your social life and make it more difficult to back out if you're feeling a bit lazy. Another sure fire way of keeping to a new exercise plan is to invest in equipment. Once you've spent a week's wages on specialist equipment, you'll be motivated to get the most out of your money.

Another lifestyle cliche is that variety is the spice of life, with that in mind, what sporting activity could be fun, energetic, motivational and varied? Well folks, I hereby propose that by buying a pair of ice skates, you can kill many metaphorical birds with one stone! Sports on ice are numerous and varied, here we have a brief guide to three of the most popular skate based sports.

Figure Skating

You may be no Torville or Dean, but dressing up in sparkling spandex and pirouetting to some cheesy tunes is definitely an exciting way to get the blood flowing and tighten up the tush. Figure skating has been around for hundreds of years, but it's beginning s were a lot less flamboyant, more of a stiff skating gesture on ice. The modern incarnation was developed in the late 1800s, with emphasis on a free and expressive style. Be prepared to learn and master spins and jumps and lifts as well as perfecting a tightly sprayed hairdo and the successful application of theatrical make-up! The sport is just as popular for men as it is for women, and there are no rules to say that the make-up is compulsory.

Ice Hockey

This is sport is not for the light hearted. It's a no holds barred game that is just as famed for the ice rink fighting action as it is for a sport where a vulcanised rubber puck might get in a goal if it doesn't hit a face first. As the name states, it's basically hockey on ice, but with heaps of protective padding. Six players per team whack a puck with a curved stick and try to score goals, but it is the allowance of something called the bodycheck that means that kitting yourself out might cost a small fortune. Gum shields, jockey straps, helmets, and whole heap on body armour are highly recommended, and that lot is on top of purchasing the ice skates. Despite the aggressive reputation this sport is highly popular with women, so much so that there are professional level ice hockey leagues in both Canada and the United States.

Speed Skating

This high speed activity gives another chance to don some crazy sportswear, something that is cross between figure skating and ice hockey. As speed is the key, it is essential to be as streamline and aerodynamic as possible. This is achieved by wearing a full body suit that leaves nothing to the imagination, a helmet similar to a sports cycle helmet and special trainer-like ice skates that have a hinge for flexibility and speed. Talking of speed, you'll need to be a speed freak for this one, as these races have clocked skaters travelling as fast as 52 kilometres per hour!

There are many other ice based sports on skates such as Tour Skating, Bandy and Ringette, some of which are a little bit more pleasant on bodily impact and a sense of personal style. So, get your skates on, get out there and get fit the fun way!