Take Your Workouts Outdoors
May 17, 2016April Showers Bring May Flowers
…And Sunshine!
You never know what the month of May will bring here in Chicago. You get that one beautiful hot day and stuff your winter gear in the closet only to find out it’s back to 50 degrees (or lower) the next day. Even though Mother Nature can throw us for a loop with those annoying blistery days, the month of May is generally okay to take your workouts outdoors. While the gym houses the equipment and heavier weights, the outdoors offers vitamin D and fresh air that we all have been waiting for. Remember, you don’t always need a gym to get an amazing workout in!
Taking your workouts outdoors requires some creativity. Fortunately, the city of Chicago is super workout friendly. Are you a runner? Run to or on the lake trail! Looking to add some higher intensity bursts throughout your run? Do step up’s on the big steps at the lake. Find a playground! Keeping your body guessing is key and the great outdoors help keep those workouts fresh.
Resistance bands are a great tool to keep on hand for your outdoor workouts. You can add resistance training to your routine! They are inexpensive and you can easily travel with them, as I have mentioned in previous blog posts. I often will find a fence (by the tennis courts) and attach my band to work my back and core. Mix some of that resistance training in with some intense cardio, and you have one creative and difficult workout!
Safety comes first when exercising outdoors, of course. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings. It is also a smart idea to grab a partner and/or head to a well lit/populated area when exercising before the sun comes up or after the sun sets.
Getting outdoors does wonders for your energy levels. Letting the warm sunshine hit your face can change your mood drastically. Let’s help motivate one another and take our workouts outside!
