Change Up Your Workouts in the Great Outdoors
Now that the weather is turning for the better in many parts of the country, it’s a great time to change up your workout routine by taking advantage of the great outdoors. It’s still important to get regular strength training and cardio workouts in on standard equipment such as free weights or a functional trainer, or a treadmill or elliptical machine. However, adding cross training not only provides a good change from your regular workouts, it’s an excellent for your body because it allows muscles to be used in new or slightly different ways.
This can also help prevent injury by not using the muscles in the same way workout after workout. For an invigorating change of pace mix in some days where you cross train.
Here are six ideas to change up your workouts
Go for a bike ride – Both mountain biking and road biking offer great opportunities to get good workouts for your legs and core, along with building up your cardio. Riding on a flat bike trail or road is a more traditional workout, but to really add in a mix of adrenaline try riding a mountain bike on a good off-road course. Start slow, build up gradually and enjoy the wild ride.
Go for a walk or run on the beach – Instead of a treadmill or normal running area, if there’s a beach near you run or walk there. The different scenery and different footing underneath will be a welcome change.
Play catch – Go out in the back yard, to a park or ball field and play catch. Whether you’re throwing a baseball, softball, football, Frisbee or something else, moving around and playing catch will be a fun light workout, especially if you haven’t done it in a long time.
Go swimming – As we get older, it’s surprising how many of us don’t swim much, or at all, anymore. Swimming is a phenomenal workout and one that will not put wear and tear on your body like the pounding of running or grinding of lifting weights.
Go for a hike – The state and local parks our country has to offer are amazing. Explore trails in your area and beyond. This is a great way to get exercise in an activity the whole family can enjoy.
Jump rope – Jumping rope is fun and beneficial for people of all ages. Go slow at first and work your way back into jump-rope shape. Go Frisbee golfing – Try a totally different activity than you’d normally do, like Frisbee golf. This is another fun activity the whole family can do.
A whole great outdoors awaits you – go check it out and have so much fun you might not even realize you’re working out.