Get Out and Play: Top 7 Outdoor Exercises

Do you remember when our parents used to yell at us to go outside and play? They would get so tired of us running around the house munching junk food and fighting with our siblings that they would practically kick us out of the house!

Well, we may not have the same child-like activities lined up to get outside for anymore, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't still get out and enjoy the world! Exercising outdoors has many benefits, and they include the following:

- Little or no equipment needed to get a good workout

- No crowded gyms or obnoxious people to put up with

- No driving time to the local fitness facility

- No need to put on makeup or special clothing to workout at the gym

- Vitamin D enhancing sunshine for our skin

- The ability to workout anytime, anywhere - even on vacation

- Two words: Fresh Air

There are probably other reasons that you can think of why an outdoor workout would fit into your particular lifestyle, so now all you have to do is learn what kind of activities can be done outside.

Refer to the following Top 7 list of exercises that are sure to leave you sweaty, worn out, and feeling great when it's all over!

LUNGES

Like all exercises, lunges should be done with absolutely perfect form. When done correctly, a lunge will work every single muscle in your legs at some point throughout the movement, including the all important Gluteus Maximus (that's the primary buttocks muscle, for those of you not anatomically inclined).

Variations on lunges that require no equipment include; Standing Lunges, Alternating Lunges, Elevated Lunges, Rear Lunges, and Walking Lunges.

PUSH UPS

Push ups have always been one of the most effective upper body exercises, but they have somehow gotten lost in the world of shiny chest press machines and fleets of various types of exercise benches. However, the push up is still an incredibly productive exercise, and it requires no equipment whatsoever.

The 3 basic push up movements include Standard Grip, Wide Grip, and Close Grip. Alternating those 3 types will ensure maximal stimulation to the chest, shoulders, and triceps. In addition, you can elevate your hands to make the movement somewhat easier, or elevate your feet to make the movement somewhat harder.

Also, if you are really feeling brave, you can even throw in some Bounce and Clap Push Ups!

SQUATS

Many people simply don't understand the incredible power of doing a Squat the right way. Through improper instruction, inappropriate form, and just plain laziness, the incredible effectiveness of the Squat has been lost in the mix.

Variations including Standing Squats, One-Leg Squats, Plie Squats, Wide-Stance Squats, and Overhead Squats. Think you can't get enough stimulus out of Squats? Try doing 50 perfectly formed repetitions and see how tired your legs are!

STEP UPS

Brutal is the best word to describe this exercise when done properly! Using nothing more than a picnic bench, a piece of playground equipment, or even just a decent size rock, you simply step up onto your elevated surface, step down, and then repeat on the other side alternating back and forth.

By keeping your back straight and your head up the entire time, you will maximize recruitment of all of your leg muscles, and you will get an incredible cardiovascular workout as well. Go for perfect form and you will quickly see the benefit of this great exercise.

CHIN UPS

The outdoor version of Chin Ups and Pull ups can be done using anything from a low-hanging tree branch to any number of different pieces of playground equipment.

When done properly, Chin Ups and Pull Ups will humble most people, even avid exercisers. Bring your body up completely until your chin is at or above your hands, and lower back to the start under control. Repeat for as many as you can do!

UPHILL SPRINTS

Don't try this one until you can run a good 100-yard dash on level ground! This exercise is just what it sounds like - running uphill. Run up a decent size hill as fast as you can, walk back to the bottom, and repeat. Bring oxygen, but leave your pride at home, or else the hill will take it from you!

DUCK WALKS

This exercise is so simple, yet about as hard as it gets. Simply squat down until your thighs are at or below parallel to the ground, stay in that position, and start walking. Go about 10 steps and then walk backwards to your starting point. Repeat as many times as necessary (which won't be many) to reach total exhaustion!

As you can see, doing outdoor exercises has all of the benefits listed above including one benefit that wasn't listed - they are hard! If you are up to the challenge and sick of the gym, give your body and your mind an Earth-moment and get outside and play!

Aaron Potts is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Success Coach whose customers include consumers as well as other fitness professionals. Sign up for his free Fitness Journal at http://www.fitnessdestinations.com or visit his coaching site at http://www.ptsuccesscoach.com

---

2-Minute Fitness

Why would I want to write about yet another fitness... Read More

Best Abdominal Exercises to Get the Sexy Six Pack You Deserve

The key to getting those sexy abdominals lies mainly on... Read More

Exercise Fun

Do you consider exercise fun? Everyone wants to be fit... Read More

The Right Exercise Intensity

We've all heard the exercise guidelines that recommend we participate... Read More

Pilates: A Challenging and Motivating Exercise Regimen

Pilates is named after its creator Joseph Pilates. It is... Read More

Exercising In Heat

Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack away your... Read More

Exercise ? More is NOT Better!

Years ago when I was a professional bodybuilder, I fell... Read More

Precision Abdominal Training

It's almost impossible to turn on the television or open... Read More

Your Guide To Exercise

Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get... Read More

Core Strength Limits Arm and Leg Power

Core training has become such a hot topic in the... Read More

Different Exercises Schedule to Combat Hypertension, Obesity, and Asthma!

Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More

Rotator Cuff: Exercises and Strategies to Prevent Injury

Have you ever experienced a dull ache or sharp pain... Read More

After Exercise Headache - More Serious Than You Think?

It's surprisingly common - you're exercising, everything's fine, and then... Read More

The Fundamentals of Pilates

There are people who are fond of getting an exercise... Read More

Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Exercising the Abdominals

The abdominal muscles are essential for maintaining good posture and... Read More

Warning! Lack Of Exercise Could Be Harmful To Your Health

You know it's bad when the Surgeon General issues a... Read More

Health Tips For Busy People: Healthy Diet & Exercise In the Office

Many women's lifestyle magazines frustrate us by providing exercise regimens... Read More

Muscle Cramps and Exercise

Quite often runners and exercisers experience painful muscle cramping either... Read More

VO2 Max- Exposing the Myth

VO2 max is defined as the maximal amount of oxygen... Read More

Exercise: Why YOU Should Do It

Hundreds of Thousands of Americans spend millions of dollars each... Read More

Banish Your Lower Back Pain Permanently Without Drugs or Surgery

It is estimated that about 80 percent of the population... Read More

Elements of Exercise

Warm upWarming up before exercising has physiological and psychological benefits.... Read More

The Bad Workout: Some Advice for Female Bodybuilders

Bad workouts. We have all had them at some time... Read More

Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 3)

There are three main types of exercises to include in... Read More

The Degradation of Fitness Science

The world and our selves evolve and exist in a... Read More

Easy and Effective Home Workouts

Many people think that creating a home workout gym is... Read More

Defeating Back Pain Forever

Back pain, one of the most common physical, and debilitating... Read More

Strategies for Alleviating the Boredom Associated with Exercise

Just about every expert in the ADD field will tell... Read More

The Lactate Threshold ? Reality or Fallacy?

For many years exercise science has perpetuated the concept of... Read More

Forget Exercise - Go Play

Can't seem to get the energy or motivation to exercise?... Read More

Exercise Intensity

"Physical Fitness"Some physical activities (exercise) are not intense enough to... Read More

Anywhere and Anytime Exercises

These type of Exercises generally makes your body strong and... Read More

Double Calories Burned With Five Minutes Of Exercise Each Morning!

Recent studies have shown that if you perform just five... Read More