Getting outside is nearly always an option if you’re looking to change up your workout. If your winters are tough, make sure you gear up for cold or wet weather. For those who live in areas with hot summers, you may need to adjust your workout schedule to find a comfortable time to be out.
1. Walk
Walking is one of the simplest ways to move your body and get your heart pumping. Add a pair of walking poles to get your upper body into the process. Once you get accustomed to carrying walking poles, consider adding a backpack so you can carry a snack and water for longer walks or hikes in nature.
2. Bicycle
Invest in a bicycle that supports your current health. An e-bike can be ridden like a motorbike; you can simply rely on the motor to do the work. You’ll still build core strength. You can also use your bike motor to help you do the following:
- Start from a dead stop, taking pressure off of your needs
- Tackle steep hills, lowering the intensity of your ride
- Run errands and keep your fuel bills down
Make sure you invest in top-quality gear. In addition to an appropriate helmet, consider getting yourself a pair of gloves that can protect the nerves in your hands and wrists from chatter.
3. Kayak
Get on the water in a kayak. You’ll get a workout for your arms, your back, and your core. You can enjoy wildlife on the shore from a safe distance and even make kayaking part of your next vacation!
4. Swim
Many of us are sensitive to chlorine in pools. We may also not be comfortable in an overcrowded pool. Visit a local beach and swim in a lake or river. Get yourself a snorkel and a swimming mask so you can study wildlife under the water. Make sure you invest in a pair of swimming shoes so you can avoid sharp rocks, mollusks, and other dangers at the bottom of a native body of water.
5. Birdwatch
Treat yourself to a pair of binoculars and go check out the local wildlife. If you’ve always walked around a particular park, bring your binoculars and note what birds you see in different seasons. Study the migratory patterns of birds that pass through your region and plan a long hike through a local forest to check out the bird life there. Sturdy hiking shoes, long pants, and a lightweight jacket that will protect you from scratches and bugs are a great investment.
6. Garden
A new exercise routine may be just outside your back door. If you have a flower bed, keep it watered and weeded. Consider adding a row of Swiss chard to serve as a foil for your favorite flowers. Harvest this lush green and sauté it with garlic and mushrooms. If you have a bare patch in a garden, put in zucchini plants and spiralize to your heart’s content!
Start a new garden against a chain link fence and grow vining veggies. Cucumbers can quickly beautify a boring chain link fence. Green peas and beans can quickly fill up a fence, give you loads of fresh veggies, and draw bees and butterflies into your outdoor space. Not only will gardening help you exercise, but it will also transform your diet.
7. Rollerblade/Skate
Invest in a pair of quality rollerblades to build up your calves and balance. Anything that requires you to work on your balance will strengthen your abs and the muscles along your spine. If you live in a cold country, consider swapping your rollerblades with ice skates and stick with your workout plan.
The ultimate goal is to find new and interesting ways to move your body through space. If you’re bored with your run on a treadmill, take it outside. If you’re bored with walking outside, start a pattern of jogging and walking in combination. Do your best to boost the intensity of your workout every season.
