Fall is finally in the air. I love this time of year because warm days are complemented by cool mornings and nights. Luckily, these coolers temps provide the perfect weather for working out in the outdoors. Lower humidity also contributes to the cooler feeling and makes breathing in the outdoors a little easier. Utilize this great weather to your advantage for outdoor workouts. Winter is right around the corner so it's important to get out and enjoy your outdoor workouts while you can. Try incorporating one of these four Fall fitness ideas into your fitness regimen in the coming months.
1. Revamp Your Running Style - It's cooler and breezy this time of the year so get out and run! Mix up your running and try something new. If you're a long distance runner, try switching it up shorter workouts with high intensity speed intervals. If you normally run shorter distances, challenge your body to go just a little bit longer. I know so many of you love to run but don't get in the rut of running the same distance and intensity each day. Another great way to revamp your running style is to get off your normal route. Switch up your running path a few times each week. The switch will allow you to see new scenery but also challenge your body in a different way as your body adjusts to new terrain.
2. Start With Stairs - What better way to challenge your body than running the stairs of your local high school stadium or outdoor amphitheatre or park? Better make sure it's alright to do so first with the venue but the stair workout will tone your legs, challenge your heart and lungs and have you burning calories like crazy! Run the stairs, walk the stairs or even take them slower two at a time. Walk up them sideways leading with one leg for 20 steps and then repeat with the other to tone the glutes and challenge balance. The stairs offer elevation and an uneven surface. Both of these components will take your fitness up a notch and challenge your body in a whole new way.
3. Yoga in the Park - Take a blanket and your yoga mat and set up shop for a peaceful yoga session in the crisp Fall air. Map out your yoga plan, tote your laptop to follow your favorite DVD or ask your private yoga instructor to meet you in the park. Yoga in the outdoors can be relaxing, refreshing and just what you need to get out of your regular routine. Immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the benefits of the combination of yoga and the outdoors.
4. Hike it Out - Hiking is the perfect way to burn calories, enjoy the outdoors and visit a new place all at the same time. There are so many great parks to be visited and explored. Hiking is low impact and will challenge your body in different ways due to different terrain. When your body has to balance and adapt to different trails and surfaces, you'll strengthen different muscles, challenge balance and core strength and burn a few more calories. Plus, you get to explore a new area all during your workout. Talk about multitasking! Wear a pedometer during your hike to measure just how far you went. Challenge yourself to hike different trails and distances to keep mixing up your hiking routine.
Keeping fitness fresh is important in the day to day fitness grind. Changing it up and getting creative will help keep you interested and challenged in your workouts. Use the outdoors as your fitness arena as much as possible. Most outdoor fitness activities are free! Who can beat that? Plus, it's time to get out of the sweaty gym and into the outdoors. Enjoy Fall and the opportunities it offers for taking your workout outside.
Margot Rutigliano is a freelance writer as well as the owner of Vita Vie Retreat. She has been a fitness trainer, wellness coach and healthy living adviser since 1999. Vita Vie Retreat is a fitness retreat offering healthy lifestyle transformation programs for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. For more information or to contact Ms. Rutigliano, please visithttp://www.bvretreat.com.
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