Long, sun-filled days mean saying so long to a stuffy gym and hello to biking, swimming, and outdoor exercise. Developing an outdoor training program can enrich your exercise experience and provide you with health increasing benefits such as vitamin D enhancing sunshine for your skin. Outdoor training provides a varied workout and also nourishes the spirit. The wind, water, earth and air are all vital forces and elements that people need to stay healthy and balanced. Not only will exercising outdoors increase your emotional and spiritual health it can also help you sleep better. Modern Canadians spend more time indoors, perhaps reluctantly, than ever before. Push to escape this indoor incarceration and take your training outside.

Perhaps the most obvious questions to answer are what you plan to do outdoors and where you plan to go. If you are an avid stationary bike user at the gym, pull your bike out of the garage and find a local bike trail. Dedicated bike trails are great because they are closed to cars and enable you to go far distances in a scenic environment. Another great cardio exercise is running. The bike paths are also great places to run, as they are safe from traffic, often lined with water fountains, and, if they are hilly, can help build power and speed. Swimming is another great outdoor activity. It develops endurance and upper-body strength. Lakes are great for swimming longer distances since you do not constantly have to stop and turn. If you enjoy playing hockey or figure skating, strap on a pair of roller blades. Inline skating is easily accessible. You can slip on your skates and be skating in a matter of just minutes! Another added benefit is that it can be done either in groups or alone. Recreational inline skating makes for a great social outing with friends, or it provides an individual with an escape should she or he need some time alone to relax and reflect. Also consider participating in sports for recreation. Grab a friend and hit the tennis court or head to the beach to play volleyball. With both, make an effort to run down every ball to strengthen leg muscles and build endurance. Yoga is another great form of exercise that can be done outdoors. A quiet park or the beach serve as a perfect environment to soothe your body, mind and spirit.

If you don’t have access to a nearby beach or park, check out high schools in your area. Many local high schools have basketball and tennis courts, tracks and fields. You may even want to check out football stadiums. Stadium stair climbing is a great way to train your cardiovascular system and you can use the stairs for exercises such as lunges, step-ups, dips and push-ups as well as to perform stretching exercises. A park is another great training venue. Benches, picnic tables, and bars can be used for upper body strength workouts. Before you adopt an outdoor training program be sure to explore the land before you go as training outdoors can increase the risk of injuries. Scout all locations beforehand and become familiar with every crevice, crack and divot.

Want even more oomph - hire a personal trainer for your outdoor training. Personal trainers provide motivation, consistency, safety, individualized instruction, supervision, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Personal trainers wear many hats, serving not only as coach, but also as an educator, confidant, role model and a major source of motivation and encouragement. A personal trainer will develop the most effective program for you based on your fitness evaluation results and personal goals. It's a fact--feeling good makes you look good, and vice versa. Not only can personal trainers help you achieve your health and fitness goals they provide you with positive feedback on your performance and bolster your confidence to take on new challenges.

More people are realizing that they want and need to be outside to combat the stresses of life, work and family. If you have a passion for the outdoors and the thought of exercising in a natural setting fills you with excitement and purpose, consider taking your training outside.

Jenn Naiman, Group Fitness Director

Source: American Council on Exercise Lifefitness Magazine