Taking your workout outdoors can inject new zest into your fitness routine. While indoor workouts at the gym or home have their benefits, primarily due to the available equipment, many effective exercises don’t require any equipment. You only need your body, a dash of imagination, and a willingness to embrace nature. Engaging in outdoor exercises can be equally as rewarding as indoor workouts, plus you get the added advantage of spending quality time in the open air. Just remember to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.
Park Bench Dip
The first exercise only requires a park bench or any sturdy platform of similar height. This exercise targets the shoulders, triceps, and core, providing a solid upper-body workout. Perform 15 repetitions in sets or incorporate them into a circuit for a comprehensive session.
Tightrope Walk
While this exercise is named after the daring act, you don’t need an actual tightrope. Instead, find a stable curb or fallen tree as your “tightrope.” Walking along such thin paths can help engage your core, calves, and quads, improving your balance and coordination.
Hanging Crunch
If you want to work on your abs, a hanging crunch could be just what you need. You can use monkey bars, sturdy tree branches, or reliable overhead support. Ensure it’s robust enough to support your weight, hang on, and move your legs in various directions to engage different parts of your abdominals.
Step-Up Kick Cycle
This versatile exercise targets the hamstrings, glutes, and quads. You don’t need gym equipment for this one, either. A log, a flat rock, or even an outdoor stair step can serve as your platform. The movement involves stepping up and down, alternating feet, and incorporating kicks in three directions: side, diagonal, and back.
Hill Sprints
This cardio-intensive exercise works best on sloping outdoor terrain. Sprinting uphill helps engage your leg muscles, core, and lungs. It’s a high-intensity workout that boosts both your aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
Lunge Walk
Lunge walks provide a powerful workout for your lower body, particularly your quads, glutes, and hamstrings. You can perform this exercise in a spacious park or even on a sidewalk. Simply perform lunges while moving forward, keeping your upper body straight, and ensure your knee doesn’t extend past your toes.
Outdoor Yoga
Finally, consider doing a yoga sequence in a calm, quiet spot. The blend of strength, flexibility, and mindfulness that yoga offers can be a fantastic addition to your workout, especially amidst nature.
Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, a Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She also serves as the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.