Hello Fitness Friends! I can hardly believe it’s April and if my sump pump is any indication there will be lots of things blooming next month. As the weather starts to get warmer (and drier), I like to think about taking workouts outside. So, I thought I’d talk today about some less than obvious ways to make that happen.
I know some people really like a gym setting for their workouts. They go into beast mode and just really lock down their concentration. And I am here for that, especially during the winter or gross weather stretches. But I was that kid in elementary school who would ask the teacher if we could have class outside the second it hit 50 degrees.
I also know that my favorite season is supposed to be fall, but it isn’t. Spring takes the cake. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a place where snow means at least a foot. Maybe it’s because I still live in a place where winters can be gray and dreary. Don’t know, don’t care. That first sunny warmish day, I am like a damn sunflower.
I’ve waxed philosophic about my love of walking so many times that I won’t bore you again. And as much as I love a good walk, it’s also predictable. When we lived in Germany, one of the things we loved (and missed) most was biking. If that’s available to you, give it a spin (#pun). And it’s important to note that games aren’t just for the young-uns. Yes, my front yard has been host to about 20 neighborhood kids after school playing soccer, kickball, or basketball, but my husband and I play as well.
There are other less obvious ways to take a workout outside, though. Fartlek style cardio is great for outdoor exercise. Fartlek is just random speed play. Generally used by runners, but it can be tailored to walking, biking, rollerblading, whatever. Just pick anything that can serve as marks at random intervals (mailboxes, buildings, unique plants, etc). Pick a speed and maintain it until the first mark, then change your pace until the second mark. Lather, rinse, and repeat until you are done with your workout.
Long time readers will also know my love for resistance bands and those are an easy way to move a strength workout outdoors. You can plan all exercises that use your body as the anchor and go to town on your porch. Or if you have access to a tree, lamppost, or other outside anchor point, then you can do any exercise you could indoors.
Got a porch or patio chair to go with your resistance bands? You can get a great strength workout in about 15 minutes. Plus a hit of Vitamin D. Just because we are talking outdoor workouts doesn’t mean we have to be running around the yard. This one is especially nice for apartment dwellers that only have a smallish balcony to work with.
No resistance bands, but want a strength workout that you can still stay in your yard for? Try a beach towel! By using the towel as a tool to tweak strength exercises, you’ll get a surprisingly good workout. This is also great for vacation or if you happen to have access to sand volleyball courts.
Limited outside space and limited equipment? You just need about four feet of blank wall for this one. This is also a great add on to other workouts if you’d like more exercises. Or as a finisher to really get the body humming.
If you are up for a bit of something different, you can rock a Fartlek style strength workout. Find a (safe) path and use the marks to section off strength exercises. You will never be so happy to see the next mailbox as when you are doing lunges. Or if you need to keep things to your property, a pack of playing cards can help. Just weigh them down so the wind doesn’t steal your ace of spades.
If you have access to a public park, I am also a huge fan of using the playground equipment for workouts. Especially if you have littles, it’s an easy way to multitask keeping them busy with a bit of you time. You won’t need any additional equipment, but make sure you take note of the surface you’ll be exercising on and any dips, divots, or situations that could cause a trip to the ER.
Yoga style workouts are easy enough to take outside, although depending on where you live, you might need to be okay with your neighbors curiosity. And I’ll be honest, there is something about doing Sun Salutations in the actual sun that just hits differently.
My point with this post and all these suggestions is that you don’t need to confine your workouts, even if they run to the more traditional gym types, to inside. Getting outside and moving in the sun can really breathe new life into a workout that you are feeling blah about. It’s also a great way to boost your Vitamin D (although please wear sunscreen and/or UPF protective clothing). And I have yet to meet a person who feels worse after being outside (sunlight does wonders for serotonin and dopamine).
Try something new and get outside!
