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Sure you might like the gym, but do you consider it fun? Most people don’t. But now that the bright sunshine, beautiful breezes and longer days are here, you can move that workout outside to avoid the boredom of the gym. What activities can one do as a workout? Good question—and we have the answer with eight of the best outdoor fitness ideas for you to explore. When you try one or more of these activities, you’ll have so much fun you won’t even know you’re exercising!
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Skip that spin class and go for a real bike ride on a back road instead! You’ll still be working the same muscles as in your spin class: hamstrings, shins, butt, calves, and quadriceps; in fact, you’ll be working them harder. Being distracted by pretty scenery and wildlife, cycling doesn’t feel like you’re putting in as much effort and time goes by quicker. While it’s terrific to survey parks, bike paths, new neighborhoods or trails you can also ride a bike for transportation. Rather than taking the car to grab a gallon of milk at the corner market or drive to work, ride your bicycle. You’ll be killing two birds with one stone!
Calories burned: 240 per 30 minutes; you can burn more if you go mountain biking.
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If you own a pool or your gym or community center has an outside pool, go for a swim—it’s a terrific cardio and strength training exercise that works all of your major muscle groups. If you suffer from joint problems, swimming is the best thing you can do to ease the pain because the water acts as a cushion. Most activities have harsh effects, but swimming refreshes you and will condition, strengthen and tone your whole body, not to mention the refreshing side effect.
If you’re one of the lucky people who live near a beach, take advantage of it! What could be better than experiencing the tranquil, beautifully relaxing underwater world through scuba diving or snorkeling? You’ll have so much fun you won’t realize that you’re getting two workouts in one: strength training and cardio. Trying to swim against the water’s resistance is difficult, and you’ll engage your core, back and butt muscles while also working your hips, thighs, abs and arms. Unlike regular swimming, you must kick from your hip, not your knee, and you’ll discover that with the fins your legs will get more of a workout.
Calories burned: Swimming – 270 per 30 minutes; scuba diving – 400 every 30 minutes; snorkeling – 170 in 30 minutes.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Take that treadmill jog or walk outside! You might find you’ll jog or walk faster, burn off more calories and give your muscles more of a challenge with the wind’s resistance and uneven terrain. Make sure you purchase a good pair of shoes specifically made for outdoor jogging or walking. Once you get used to jogging, you can create a route that includes hills and flat surfaces to give most of your muscles a good workout. This same route can be a good walking path too.
Calories burned: Jogging – 290 if you jog about 5 mph for 30 minutes; brisk walk – 135 in 30 minutes.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
This will definitely give you the butt of your dreams! When you go rollerblading you’ll be toning, firming and tightening your inner thighs, butt and the back of your thighs. If you’re just a novice, begin slowly—it takes time to master this activity, and when you do, and you’re confident, then you can pick up your pace and go out for longer periods.
Calories burned: 250 at a brisk speed for 30 minutes.
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If you’re searching for a workout that works your entire body, this is it! Your shoulders, legs, abs, and arms will get toned. Throughout the game, you’re constantly moving—squatting, jumping, changing directions, diving, hitting or serving. Don’t forget that it’ll be harder playing on sand, but that’s good news if you want to lose a little weight.
Calories burned: 290 every 30 minutes.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Going for a hike is another wonderful cardio and strength training workout that targets your legs, abs, and butt and builds your stamina. You can relax and enjoy nature as you sweat out the challenges of some hilly trails. As always, if you’re a new hiker, start with easy, short hikes; as you get fit and become a better hiker, expand the distance and difficulty slowly.
Hiking yoga combines the mood enhancing effects of being outdoors, toning and cardio of hiking and the body-mind benefits of yoga. Instructors will take you on an hour-long hike on trails and through parks; they’ll pause now and again to guide you through a basic yoga pose. Sounds fun and relaxing, doesn’t it?
Calories burned: Hiking – 220 per 30 minutes; hiking yoga – 400+ per 60-minute hike.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Did you ever want to be a kid again? Well, now you can because every park can be your fitness playground. A street workout is designed to build muscles, burn fat and improve your heart health. A jungle gym is awesome for pull-ups and chin-ups while a simple park bench is magnificent for triceps dips, step-ups, and push-ups. You could even use steps, ramps, beams and slides for doing squats, sit-ups, planks, and lunges. In the U.S. (and around the world), there are parks made specifically for street workouts in places like New York City, NY; Boston, MA; Newark, NJ; Park City, UT; New Orleans, LA; Miami, FL; College Station, TX; Venice Beach, CA, and many others. If you get really good at it, there are teams you can join and events to enter. Who knows? Maybe you could be a champion!
Calories burned: 430 for a 30-minute workout.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Why play racquetball in the gym when you can play cardio tennis outside? This combines the sport of tennis with an amped up aerobic workout using an agility ladder, heart rate monitors, music and cardio balls. You’ll be sweating and having a blast with this full-body exercise that has you doing things like high knees and karaoke steps while swinging your racquet. You’ll definitely burn more calories than if you were to play singles or even doubles tennis!
Calories burned: Up to 600 every 30 minutes.
With at least one of these fantastic workouts, you’re sure to be fit in no time! There’s also another great benefit to shaking up your exercise routine—you’ll be getting the Vitamin D that your body needs. So get outside and exercise; but most of all, have fun while you’re doing it!
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
