Outdoor Exercises For The Spring Season

March 5 2014

Outdoor Exercises For The Spring Season

I think most people living in the U.S. will agree that we’ve had our fair share of cold weather this winter. With two separate Polar Vortexes bringing pulling freezing arctic air as far south as Georgia, dozens of cities have reported record-low temperatures. This unusually cold winter has forced many people to stop their normal physical fitness routine.

The good news is that spring is right around the corner. And when there’s spring there’s also warmer temperatures. If you’re tired of staying cooped up indoors and want to enjoy the warm spring weather, you should check out the following exercises.

Go For a Jog

One of the easiest outdoor workouts that’s perfect for the upcoming spring season is jogging. It’s an excellent form of cardio that encourages a health heart and lungs while also building stronger leg and core muscles (yes, jogging works out the core). Jogging at 5 mph for 60 minutes burns roughly 500-600 calories, which is a pretty sizable amount considering most people consume just 2,000-2,500 calories per day.

The key to having a beneficial jog is to avoid burnout. It’s not uncommon for people to get burned out from jogging the same route day after day, at which point they stop and sink back into their old lifestyle.

Here are some ways to avoid ‘jogging burnout’

• Take a different route so you have a new change in scenery.
• Wear ankle weights for a more intense jog.
• Listen to your MP3 player (see our previous post about the link between music and exercise).
• Find a jogging buddy go with you.

Sports

Of course, playing sports is another fun outdoor exercise that’s great for the spring season. You don’t need any professional training or experience to get outside and play a game of kickball or softball. Just call up some of your friends or co-workers to see if they are interested in a game at the local park.

This is a fun way to mix up your normal workout routine with something that’s more laid back and relaxing but still beneficial.

Swimming

We really can’t talk about outdoor exercises without mentioning swimming. The great thing about swimming is the fact that it’s a low-impact activity, meaning there’s no pressure placed on the joints and bones. It’s not uncommon for bodybuilders and athletes to develop tension and soreness as a result of pressure placed on their joints. Over time, this can lead to arthritis along with postural imbalance.

Swimming, however, allows you to exercise in a way that naturally protects your body against injuries and conditions such as these.