by Samantha Montpetit-Huynh
Spring is here! With the smell of freshness in the air and the sounds of birds chirping in the early hours, there is the urge to want to be outside more and stay outside. If this is true, then why not take your workouts outside too?
Now that the weather is looking promising, there is no better time to get your mojo moving and either move your same-ole, same-ole exercise regime to the great outdoors or start that routine you have been promising yourself “as soon as the weather warms up”. Spring means get exercise outdoors!
The world is your oyster! Or at least is a great buffet of possibilities. Here are 5 easy ways to bring your exercise outdoors, get some vitamin D and feel great.
Walking
Never underestimate the power of walking to not just enjoy the outdoors, but it’s a very functional way to exercise both for strength and cardiovascular health. But don’t mistake this for window shopping. Kick it up a notch, throw your iPod in and pound the pavement!
Stroller Classes
What’s better than exercising outdoors but doing spring outdoor exercises with your little one in tow? For those moms who want a little bit of this and a little bit of that, it’s a great way to meet other moms who may also be crawling out from the winter hibernation.
Boot Camp
One of the latest and cost effective trends to get a great workout with the support of others who are getting their butts kicked too! Following the idea of the army boot camp, these classes are NOT for beginners or new moms but once you are up to par, it’s a great way to challenge yourself.
The Park
Well whattya know! The park is an awesome place to get a workout in. Whether you use the monkey bars, the bench or create your own circuit, there is a reason why kids who run around outside are so lean and energetic. They are having fun and getting their exercise too!
Your Own Backyard
My personal favorite as this way I have privacy, can set up my program without worrying about bumping into someone and can blast the tunes too! Who said you need a gym when all you need is your body, some tubing, hand weights and you’re set!
Whatever you do, be sure to take advantage of this feel-good time of year because you know (I HATE to say it), it’s going to be gone before you know it.
Make the most of each day; add as much physical activity as you can so you can benefit from the many rewards. Now GO!
Samantha Montpetit-Huynh is the mother of two beautiful girls and the founder of Core Expectations, Toronto’s only full services wellness team that delivers personal training, abdominal rehabilitation and other support services to the homes and offices of pregnant women and new moms across the GTA.
