Hi! How are you today? I have a bunch of workouts that I’ve been meaning to write up for you, but since the weather has been so nice and I’ve, personally, been trying to take my workouts outside as much as possible, I wanted to give YOU some ideas of ways to take YOUR workout outside, too!

You only think that running and walking are outdoor workouts, but those are just a few of the many other ways to get fit while breathing in fresh air and catching some rays (with sunscreen, of course!). So, if you’re looking for a way to change up your standard walk or run, try some of these workouts!

Add in plyometric exercises, core moves or other boot camp style exercises to your walk or run routine

This is my favorite way to split up a run and make it seem, less… boring. I’ve done it by breaking up the run into time segments or mile segments. I’ve also added in a number of different “mini circuits” or exercises to change it up. Here are some of my favorites:

Run & Strength Workout

Wednesday Workout: Run/Walk & Park Boot Camp Circuit

Wednesday Workout: Run/Walk & Superset Workout

Run for it:

Even though those are “running” workouts, you can always modify them to be a walking workout if that’s what you’d rather do! And, if running or walking are not your things, here are some other activities that get your heart rate up and let you enjoy the outdoors!

Bootcamps

Whether it’s an organized bootcamp through your town/city/gym or just a group of people that get together to workout outside, bootcamps are a great way to workout! It’s a very team-like environment and doing it outside encourages you to use ordinary things as workout tools. Think: park bench, money bars, logs, etc. Athena used to teach an outdoor bootcamp and it always looked so fun.

Sports

Warm weather seems to bring everyone together. Be it tennis or basket ball or softball or kickball, there are loads of ways to get outside and be active! There are often various leagues that you can join, too. The BSSC is a big one for that.

November Project

If you’re on social media, you’ve surely seen all sorts of posts about November Project or seen their “grassroots” stamp all over peoples’ workout clothes. I haven’t participated in any of the workouts, but I have a lot of gym friends that do and it seems like an amazing time. Anyone can participate in the workouts and it looks like it is a huge team/family feeling.

Canoeing or Kayaking

If you’re in or around the Boston area, I highly suggest heading over to Charles River Canoe & Kayak. You can rent canoes or kayaks and go out by yourself or with friends. My sister and I did it one summer and it was so fun! Not to mention a terrific upper body workout and a great way to work on your tan 😉

Gardening

Last weekend, my dad came down and we gardened together and let me tell you, it’s not easy! Between lifting and carrying heavy bags of soil, raking, shoveling, etc., I felt like I had a full body workout! Pulling potatoes is also a tough job. A way to get more exercise in? Rather than using a hose, use a watering bucket which requires more trips back to the faucet, which means more walking, which means more calories burned 🙂

Swimming/Water Aerobics

My mom is a huge water aerobic fan so whenever we are together in a pool during the summer, she’s doing some type of exercise: jogging in place, leg lifts, arm circles, crunches. This is a great way to be outside in the sun and getting a workout in.

Did I miss any? What’s your favorite way to workout outside? Do you participate in any athletic leagues? Are you a “November Project-er”?