10 New Outdoor Fitness Ideas
When it starts to warm up outside, dragging yourself to the stuffy, muggy gym becomes even more difficult. Why not make the whole world your gym instead? Enjoy the fresh summer breezes with one of these 10 outdoorsy workouts instead of sucking in recycled air on the treadmill.
- Stand-up paddleboarding. If you aren’t quite ready to try surfing, but love the water, then stand-up paddleboarding might be the perfect compromise. Stand-up paddleboarding enlists a wide, stable paddleboard, similar to a surfboard, and a paddle. You simply hop aboard and paddle your way around the water, working your abs along the way. Dive right in or take a lesson first.
- Fresh-air yoga. Many yoga studios hold community classes outdoors throughout the summer, so check in with some of your local yoga instructors. Parks become their yogi playground. A perk of doing yoga outdoors? You get the added benefit of the summer heat, which can help prevent injury. Park yoga classes also tend to cost just a few dollars, and some are even free.
- Beach jogging. Running atop the sand decreases stress on your body, but also provides a more challenging workout for your muscles. It’s really a win-win, so consider taking your morning jog to the shore.
- You might not think of gardening as a particularly athletic activity, but it actually works many muscles in the body that you might miss at the gym. For a low-impact workout that also results in fresh veggies, try planting a garden in pots or a raised bed this summer.
- Outdoor circuit training. Most local parks have strength-training stations situated around their running loop. Have you ever actually stopped to try one? If the answer is no, check out the circuit the next time you run at the park. Stopping at each station could seriously enhance your summer jog.
- A hybrid of badminton, racquetball, and tennis, this trending sport requires both agility and speed, but no formal court. You can play it anywhere as long as you have a speeder, which is similar to the birdie from badminton, and a pair of lightweight racquets.
- If you thought you’d never use your rollerblades again, time to dust them off. Blading through the park is a great way to burn calories without the wear and tear on your joints that running brings. So lace up a pair and zoom along the nearest bike path.
- A step down from stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking is another way to get out on the sparkling water while the sun is shining. Rent a one- or two-seater kayak and get to paddling. You’ll be toning your arms as you explore.
- Nordic walking. If you love to walk, but want to work your whole body in the process, add Nordic walking to your routine. Buy a set of Nordic walking sticks, which are essentially long ski poles. When you walk with the Nordic sticks guiding the way, your arms help propel you forward. This eases the stress on the lower body, but adds more upper body work.
- Biking, running, or hiking. When all else fails, get back to basics. Pick your favorite trail nearby and go for a bike ride, a hike, or a run. It may not be a groundbreaking workout, but it’ll burn calories and bring the fresh air just the same.
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