Summer is (practically) here, and I have a tough time staying inside.
Several years ago, I got the idea to take my workouts outside, and it stuck. Obviously, not every workout can withstand an outdoor setting (those requiring heavy equipment or electricity, for example). That said, many workouts can be modified and adapted to the great outdoors.
After all, why not? You're going to get hot and sweaty anyways, why not do it with a view?
Care to give it a try? Here are a few options to consider:
Interval circuits on a patio
With just a few sets of hand weights, many exercises and strength moves can easily be done outside. We're talking squats, lunges, curls, hammers, rows and presses...just to name a few. If you have a window, then you also have a pseudo mirror to monitor your form.
Strength on deck
Similar to the intervals mentioned above, you can also utilize a deck for strength work...but you can also add in some plyometrics (like jump roping!). A deck will be a little more forgiving, in terms of impact, for jump moves.
"Barre" on the grass
Personally, I don't have a real barre installed in my house, but that doesn't stop me from doing some barre-inspired exercises. I have chairs that can act as a barre for leg, core, and balance moves. Again, I have ample windows nearby, to check on my form.
HIIT on a porch
Yes, I have done HIIT workouts on my porch because many of the moves don't require much real estate. Burpees, mountain climbers, jump squats, or even triceps dips...all can be done within the confines of very little space. Also, if your porch has steps, you have a great place for weighted step-ups or box jumps. Let's not forget inclined (or declined) push-ups!
Stretching it out
Finally, if the bugs aren't too much of issue, it's quite relaxing to do your cool-down outside, among all the sounds of nature. Kind of like Hot Yoga (but with much fresher air).
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These are just some suggestions of things that have worked for me. Honestly, you're only limited by your own creativity. Don't be afraid to try something new, or try an "old" thing a new way.
Need a few at-home workout ideas? Check out these posts:
Have you ever taken any of your workouts outdoors, if the season (or weather) permitted? Could you? Would you?
Yes to outdoors! I love these suggestions, Kim.
ReplyDeleteYou could even have an outdoor mat and do abs, planks and other floor exercises on the patio.
In Cape Town, we had a gym with an outdoor option which we used all the time. Here in Zurich, we haven't tried it yet because the garden belongs to the community. Come to think of it, we could still use it as our outdoor gym. Our neighbours wouldn't mind at all.
I actually have done such a workout before (on my deck), but forgot to mention that LOL I just love being outdoors (and not freezing while I'm there), so I try to take advantage of every minute of summer weather I can because it's such a short season.
DeleteI LOVE practicing Yoga outside. And I love the platform Mr. Judy built for me last year. We've been getting a lot of rain lately, though. Still I try to practice outside as much as I can!
ReplyDeleteI do follow along with a video for my strength training though, and that would be difficult to do outdoors. I don't always have a strong enough signal for that, so that's done inside.
I'm pretty much "unplugged" when I'm outside, so my workouts are usually ones I've either done before or have written myself. Sometimes I just grab the hand weights (or kettle bell) and just do random upper-body moves, alternated with lower-body stuff (squats, lunges, or balance poses).
DeleteOh this is such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI used to do some yoga in my backyard, maybe it's time to bring that back. My deck is full of chairs and pots and stuff but jumping rope is tempting lol.
We do have all kinds of yoga classes in the park, where I live, as well as a beach running HIIT class.
I just enjoy being outside, so I try to do various strength moves and exercises that don't require much equipment. The time goes much faster in a fun environment!
DeleteVery good idea! I have a garden but I always make my stretching exercises indoor. I think I will follow your tips even if the movement of my right arm is limited after the incident.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about your arm...hope it's feeling better.
DeleteI love being outdoors as well although I do not do too much of my strength outside. Sometimes I take my yoga mat out there
ReplyDeleteIt would be a hassle hauling out various dumbbells and other equipment, so I keep things pretty limited (my 8# and 12# dumbbells and 15# kettle bell). Both sets of dumbbells can be "grouped" together to give more variety in the resistance, but I still do some strength workouts indoors as well.
DeleteI would definitely do a strength workout on my deck if my neighbors weren't home, lol. They would probably think I'm crazy.
ReplyDeleteNo, they would admire your badass self flexing those muscles ;-) Seriously, I do understand that concern...I do most of these workouts in the early hours, when there's less risk of anyone seeing me. But, if someone walks by the house, oh well!
DeleteI love taking my workouts out to the deck. Cocoa likes it too! Last spring, when we were stuck at home, I did my WOD on the driveway. That was fun and a few of my neighbors got a kick out of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great option, and definitely breaks up the monotony of being inside.
DeleteMy husband and I were reminiscing this morning about how we used to take the boys to a parcours park pretty often when it was nice and do a family workout. We're thinking about doing that again soon.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Great family activity ;-)
DeleteI don't do much beyond a little stretching outside. I feel like my neighbors can see me too easily and I would feel weird!
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't want a big audience, I don't mind a few "drive-bys" or walkers taking a glance LOL I do so much of my workouts early (usually done before 6 or 6:30), that there's not much activity outside at that time.
DeleteYES to this: "you're only limited by your own creativity". There's something really special about being outside. I think that's why I will always struggle on a treadmill. And to take other workouts outside is a brilliant idea as well. I've done some weights outside but I think I could do a lot more, for example, after my run, I could actually do my post-run stretches outside before even coming into the house.
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh...you know how I feel about treadmills LOL For me, the time really goes faster when I'm outside, and I'm less bored in between sets.
DeleteI love taking my workouts outdoors! When I get home from running I usually do my stretches inside, but I am going to try doing them outside instead next time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSummer is so short, I feel like I need to be outside as much as I'm able. Doing some workouts outdoors helps me appreciate the summer season even more ;-)
DeleteI LOVE doing outdoor workouts. Except when it's mid-summer and all the bugs are out. But if I workout earlier enough, they usually aren't too bad!
ReplyDeleteAgreed...I've done a few workouts in the late afternoon/early evening, and it's bug city. I'm always up early anyways, it just makes sense to do something productive (and all the better to do so outside!).
DeleteAnother benefit is that the more you work out in the heat, the faster your acclimation will be for those hot summer runs! I usually do my strength training inside (because I think the mosquitos would eat me alive in the early mornings) but my son always does his workouts on our patio. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny! You're right, the more time we spend outside (sweating or not) helps us acclimate to the temps (and humidity).
DeleteYes yes outside all the way. I don't even own a treadmill.
ReplyDeleteI have been slacking off on my walks. I need start back up.
You are amazing with all to do to stay fit.
Thank you, Darlene, you're so sweet ;-) Like you, I much prefer to be in motion than sitting idle, and outside it definitely where it's at!
DeleteI like these ideas! Recently I bought a jump rope after reading it in Wendy's post. I have yet to use but feel like I will look silly doing it in the front yard I will have to move to the back.
ReplyDeleteI love outdoor workouts! Though it's too hot right now even first thing in the morning. In addition to some of your suggestions I also hook up my TRX on my patio.
ReplyDeleteI keep wanting to do my lifts outside, but that would involve dragging all my weights up from the basement! Still, it sounds so lovely.
ReplyDelete