Written by: Amy Ramos, PTA
Summer weather has arrived! How can you skip the gym, spend time outside and still get in a workout? Whether your summer day includes time at the beach, a day in the park or even working in your yard, these tips will ensure that you maintain your fitness. 
Tip #1: Keep it simple. Choose activities that don’t require additional equipment or a lot of time.
Tip #2: Recruit those around you to join in the fun, it increases your motivation.
Tip #3: Switch up the exercises daily to keep things interesting and more challenging!
Tip #4: Combine cardio exercises with strength training exercises to get maximum health benefits in less time.
Tip #5: Warm-up for 5 minutes with brisk walking, slow jogging or other light cardio to elevate your heart rate slowly and prepare your body for the workout.
Outdoor Workout Ideas:
*Choose one exercise from each group to make a circuit of 4-6 exercises performed 1-2 minutes each. Repeat circuit 3-5 times.
Cardio exercises: (1-2 minutes of one of the following)
Jumping Jacks, high-knee run/skip, mountain climbers, burpees, skater side to side jumps, etc.
Upper Body Strength exercises: (1-2 minutes of one of the following)
Push-ups, tricep dips, crab walk, overhead press with knee raise, push up to plank arm crawl, etc.
Lower Body Strength exercises: (1-2 minutes of one of the following)
Alternating/walking lunges, body weight squats, squat jumps, high step ups on bench or stairs, side steps with squat, etc.
Core Strength exercises: (1-2 minutes of one of the following)
Plank/side planks or any variation, crunches, lying leg raise/bicycle, seated side to side twists, etc.
Get Summer 2016 off to a healthy start!
Stay tuned for next week’s blog on……Outdoor group fitness opportunities near you!
