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<\/h1>\n<\/h1>\nThe Great Outdoors is a Great Workout<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Summer is the season of outdoor workouts. From urban environments to the lakeshore, here in the Midwest we have more options to exercise in the fresh air than we frequently acknowledge. Get out and get sweaty no matter what your time frame or location:<\/span><\/p>\n Lake Michigan Shoreline<\/span> On\/In the Water<\/span> Your Own Backyard<\/span> Playgrounds and Parks<\/span> With Your Child\/Dog<\/span> The Great Outdoors is a Great Workout Summer is the season of outdoor workouts. From urban environments to the lakeshore, here in the Midwest we have more options to exercise in the fresh air than we frequently acknowledge. Get out … Continue reading
\nWalking in sand works your feet and leg muscles completely differently than traditional workouts, and there\u2019s nothing more scenic than a long walk along the water. But mixing things up with dunes is great for the quads and glutes. Scale Tower Hill at Warren Dunes a few times and you\u2019ll have your heart rate at bootcamp levels. When you\u2019re ready to cool down, yoga is the way to go \u2013 dig your feet into the sand during Warriors and other poses and you\u2019ll have traction better than the best yoga mat.
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\nWhether it\u2019s the lake, a pond, or a swimming pool, water is gentle on joints and offers natural effective resistance. And don\u2019t be deluded: you don\u2019t even have to swim! Water walk in 3-foot waves and you\u2019re getting strength training as well as balance and stability. Squatting or lunging in water is a great alternative for folks who can\u2019t do those exercises comfortably on land. And if you\u2019ve got a kayak or canoe, you\u2019ve got a great way to work your back. Easy-to-rent paddle boards target the core nicely.
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\nFill a few gallon jugs with water and you\u2019ve got some kettlebells, or use garage junk to make an obstacle course. Make your regular yard work aerobic by moving quickly, or circling the house at a jog periodically. Wash your car at breakneck speed or simply get to it with traditional body weight exercises.
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\nNot just play space for kids, playgrounds are filled with exercise potential. Warm-up by swinging for a few minutes. Park benches are great for step-ups or modified push-ups \u2013 put your hands on the bench while keeping your feet on the ground. And if you haven\u2019t tried the monkey bars lately, it\u2019s likely you won\u2019t be able to get across your first time. They\u2019re seriously difficult for grown-ups. Don\u2019t pick your feet up all the way but use your arms as much as you can if you need an assist. And use the same bars or find a solid low-hanging tree branch for pull-ups or hangs.
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\nChildren and animals have a lot in common; they know how to move. Let one of these fireballs lead the way. Ball, tag, chase \u2013 let yourself go with it, and just try to keep up. Sync up with the hard-wired playfulness of these great beings and the workout becomes second nature. Younger children can be carried on backs, \u201crelay raced\u201d between grown-ups and older kids, become scorekeepers with pebble counters, or mark finish lines with outstretched arms.
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