Staying fit or getting in shape can be a difficult grind and many people detest the mere thought of going to a gym to workout. For many the very idea of getting in their cars and driving to a stuffy indoor place with hundreds of other sweaty people is enough to put them off of exercising altogether. There is a great alternative and it is right outside your door. Outdoor fitness can be the key to getting that great body you have always craved.
Most cities these days have great parks or nature reserves where you can go for outdoor fitness routines. If you are in relatively good shape and have no problems with your legs or knees you can start by jogging around the park or around your neighborhood. Dont try and do too much the first day because then the next morning you could find yourself stiff, in pain, or just unable to move. The trick is to start slowly and not let negative factors enter your outdoor fitness routing. It has to be fun to work out and should leave you feeling better and more energized. You may find yourself with some muscle pain the next day but that is good pain and if you dont go nuts and over exert yourself it should not be too bad. Take a couple of aspirin, Tylenol or other non-prescription pain killer if you feel you need to. Of course, as in any exercise plan, you should consult with your physician before starting any outdoor fitness routine or taking any medicines or pain killers.
Many of the city parks now have special areas set aside with outdoor fitness workout stations for different exercises such as sit ups, crunches, stretching, pull ups, and other exercises you can do. The benefit to being able to do these routines in the great outdoors is that you will be able to enjoy the sunshine, feel the grass under your feet, and breathe some fresh air. If you live near a beach or lake you can usually find a walking or jogging path around there, or just walk on the beach itself. The sand will give you extra resistance and provide you with an added workout. Dont be afraid of breathing hard or sweating. After a good workout you should feel somewhat drained and be freely perspiring. If you are not, then your workout is probably not strenuous enough for you. It is all about heart rate and keeping the heart rate elevated for long periods of time. If you are walking or jogging, you should try and do it for at least 30 minutes straight.
Hill climbing or hiking is great and any time you can find a good long hill to walk up and down you should go for it. Walking or jogging up hills is a great concentrated outdoor fitness workout that will yield more dramatic results. The other benefit to hill workouts is that it is actually less of an impact to the joints. You will find that your calves will ache for a few days but you will spare the pounding that your knees usually take on flat surfaces.