BRAVEday Blog

Workout outdoors

Written by Tania Young | Nov 10, 2015 5:00:00 AM

As the temperature increases, the idea of being stuck inside my small stuffy concrete gym gets less and less appealing. If you can't get your fitness fix in until later in the day, you may want to look at an alternative (don't worry Coach, I'm not going to have a gym affair).  Here are some ideas to keep you fit this summer:

  • Outdoor Cardio Blast:  Grab some friends, and pop down to your local park to get moving.  Set your timer for 20 minutes and see how many rounds you can do. 
    • 10 broad jumps:  feet together, jump as far as you can, turn around and jump back.
    • 10 push ups: grass is soft, so make sure they are chest-to-ground
    • 15 burpees: again, chest-to-ground for these.
    • 20 mountain climbers.

  • Stand-Up Paddling:  This has got to be one of the most fun things you can do to help tone your body.  Don't be fooled by how easy it looks - you use a surprising amount for core stability and strength to keep upright.

  • Run the beach:  Sand is nature's resistance as the shifting sand makes for a more engaged lower body workout.

  • Get on the tennis court: An hour of tennis will burn around 544 calories! (about the amount of calories in three martinis).

  • Swimming:  Talk about total body workout! Swimming strengthens your chest, back, arms, abs, legs and shoulders).

  • Kayaking/Canoeing:  I paddled the Puhoi River last summer - it's an awesome couple of hours, and if you have a head-wind on the way back it can be really challenging getting back to the car.