Summertime means most of us are not only on vacation but are skipping the gym to get a nice dose of fresh air, sunshine, and vitamin D. However, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your workout altogether. We’ve gathered some of the best outdoor workouts you can do while enjoying the summer.
With the warmer weather, we have the opportunity to get our sweat on in a variety of ways outdoors. Working out outside helps burn more calories as well as connect you to the great outdoors. Whether you live in the city or the ‘burbs or are away on vacay, here are amazing outdoor workouts to get you sweating.
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1. Go for a Beach Run
Running on the beach is a whole different experience. Yes, it’s way more scenic and relaxing than pounding the pavement or treadmill, but running on the sand is one heck of a workout.
Running on the sand has a lower impact than road running, so it’s easier on the joints and will result in fewer injuries. It also requires more effort, so it forces your lower body muscles to engage more, which means you’ll be strengthening and toning your legs and glutes more than a regular run — and burning more calories while doing so.
2. Bodyweight Park Workout
Use the local playground as your gym. Practice your pull-ups and hanging ab exercises with the monkey bars. A park bench is perfect equipment for everything from tricep dips, incline/decline push-ups, pistol squats, and step-ups. Use a tree stump for an elevated plank or push-up.
You’ll not only torch fat, but you’ll also feel like a kid again.
3. Hill Sprints
Have a hill in your neighborhood? Then you have the potential for one sweat-inducing workout. Hill sprints help to strengthen lower back muscles, glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves, while also helping you increase your speed and burn tons of calories in less time than a regular run.
Do spurts of sprints over 15 minutes with 30-second rest intervals, and you’ll definitely feel the burn.
4. Jump Rope
Jumping rope is one of the easiest yet most effective workouts you can do. It helps not only tone and strengthen your lower body and arms, but it’s also a great stabilizing activity, promoting core activation and strength.
Jumping ten minutes of rope is typically equivalent to an eight-minute mile, and has less impact. Since a jump rope is so easily portable, it’s the perfect addition to your next business trip or summer vacation.
5. Sun Salutations
Missing out on your yoga class? No problem. Bring the yoga class to you, whether you’re at the beach or the park. Sun salutations are an amazing way to strengthen your joints and muscles, while also giving you a cardiovascular boost to get your energy flowing and your heart rate pumping.
If you don’t have a yoga sequence already memorized, then find a free one on an app or YouTube and get your Om on.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re on land or the sand, there are many different ways to keep in shape this summer outdoors. Take advantage of the great outdoors during the warmer weather, and you’ll never miss a workout.
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