Shake Up Your Exercise This Spring
Slowly but surely, spring is getting closer. For many of us, that means it’s about to get a whole lot easier to get outside and get moving. As the weather warms up and the sun stays out later, exercising outdoors starts to sound much more appealing. So whether you’re just getting started on an exercise routine or you’ve been diligently working out all winter, here are some ideas to help you shake things up for spring.
1. Take Walking Meetings
This is a great way to get some fresh air and movement during your regular workday. Most meetings are video or phone calls these days anyway, so why not take them outdoors? Just make sure you have a good pair of headphones or earbuds and that you’ll have a reliable phone signal along your route.
2. Create Outdoor Circuit Workouts
If you like to try out lots of different classes or videos for your workouts, then circuit workouts are perfect for you. They involve 6- 10 exercises of different kinds repeated in a cycle with short rest periods in between. Create one outside and use whatever is available to inspire your moves. Run around the block, do some plyo box jumps onto a bench, or try some pullups on the playground. Get creative and have fun with it!
3. Get Some Yardwork Done
It might not be the most exciting workout of your life, but it will surely be a productive one. Raking leaves, pulling weeds, pushing a lawnmower, and moving lawn furniture can all get your heart pumping. By the end of the day, your yard will be ready for warmer days and you’ll have worked up a sweat in the process. Remember to wear sunscreen and hydrate!
4. Reunite With a Workout Partner
Gyms in many areas have been closed all winter, so those who enjoy working out with others may be missing their gym buddies. Now that the weather welcomes outdoor exercise, it’s easier and safer to work out with a partner, whether that’s a walk, run, HIIT workout, or that circuit you just created. Just make sure that you continue to social distance and mask up when you’re in busy areas.
5. Hit the Trails
If you’ve had to settle for treadmill or road running all winter, you know how dull it can be, not to mention hard on your joints. Refresh your running routine with a nice trail run to give your body a reprieve and challenge different muscles as you navigate new terrain and elevation shifts.
6. Watch and Roll
What better way to start or end your day than by foam rolling and stretching as you watch the sunrise or sunset? This will give you time to gear up or unwind from the day and will help reduce lactic acid buildup in your muscles from your exercise.
7. Break Out of Your Routine
Whether you usually work out first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or after the kids are in bed, try switching things up once in a while. Pay attention to how you feel throughout your exercise session. You might find that your energy levels are actually much higher at a different time of day.
8. Incorporate Travel
Finally, it seems traveling is on its way back into our lives! Take advantage of this by planning an active vacation. Walking tours of cities and scenic hikes are wonderful and inexpensive ways to get some serious exercise and see a new place at the same time.
9. Work on Your Weakness
If you tend to stick to cardio, try adding some simple bodyweight strength exercises to your routine. If you typically only do strength, experiment with including jogging or biking a few days a week. Both cardiovascular exercise and strength building are vital to optimal health, so use the new season to pick up where you’ve been lacking.
10. Sign up for a race
Keep yourself accountable with a deadline. Signing up for a race provides a concrete day by which you’ll need to have your fitness to a particular level. It’s easier to pursue that goal when you know exactly what you’re looking for. Sign up with a friend so you can motivate each other as your train and during the race!
However, you decide to shake up your workouts this spring, make sure to start slow and work your way up to higher intensities. Wear proper gear, stay hydrated, and obey all social distancing protocols in your area to ensure you stay safe and healthy this season!