Fall Fitness: Enjoy The Weather With These 7 Outdoor Exercises

With the summer heat finally behind us and the freezing winter months coming soon, autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the crisp fall air and mix up your workout routine!

Autumn is full of fun, outdoor activities that can keep you active and healthy. Since you don’t sweat as much without the heat and humidity, you can stay hydrated and more comfortable. The cooler temperature keeps you alert to power through even the most challenging workouts.

Not to mention, training outside allows you to breathe fresh air, which helps clean your lungs and strengthen your immune system. It is a change of scenery from being confined for months without the sweaty gyms.

Instead of the expensive gym membership this fall, take advantage of the beautiful weather with these seven outdoor exercises!

Walking 

Want to start with something easy? Take a walk and breathe in the fresh autumn air. Walking is the simplest way to work out your entire body and get extra movement throughout the day.

Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate walking into your daily life:

• Go for a 15-minute walk first thing every morning or at night after dinner
  
  
• Take a break from work and walk at lunch or stroll through the nearest park with your coworkers
  
  
• Plan fun activities for the family that involve walking such as apple picking or going to a pumpkin patch
  
  
• Mix in an occasional jog to slowly improve your stamina
  
  
• Participate in charity walk (or run) for your favorite cause

Hiking

Hiking in the fall is a great way to take advantage of the outdoors, especially when the leaves begin to change colors. Not only do you get to experience the breathtaking views, but you can also get a more challenging workout than your average gym session:

It has multiple health benefits: Not only do you strengthen your muscles by climbing, but hiking also helps you lower blood pressure, improve endurance, burn calories (over 500 calories per hour)

It involves multiple muscles: Going up and down even small inclines puts your core and entire lower body (hamstring, glutes, quads, calves) to work

Supports mental health: Hiking helps you clear your head, so you get back to nature and step back from stress in your daily life

For those who live in the city or flat areas: find nearby lakes, forest preserves, or trails to enjoy an incredible view as you power through your cardio.

Trail Running

Ditch that boring treadmill this fall and take your running to the trails! While the treadmill is great when it’s too hot or cold to run outside, running along a trail is a fantastic way to experience nature. It will provide a challenge at every turn.

Just like traditional running, trail running helps you strengthen your heart health and cardiovascular system. But because the terrain is more challenging, it also improves your agility, core, and balance.

The only downside of trail running is it can be a little more difficult on your joints. So make sure to stop and walk if you do get too tired or sore.

Outdoors Sports

In the United States, Fall 2020 is the prime season for sports, even without fans in the stadium: football is back, baseball playoffs are about to begin, hockey players are starting the journey to the Cup, and basketball season is over, the playoffs are in full stride. Now is your time to get in on the action.

Sports are a fun way to stay active without feeling like you are exercising. Join a recreational league, play pickup games, or step outside and play catch. You have plenty of ways to have healthy fall fun with your family and friends!

Yard Work

It may not be a fun activity, but if you have to do it, you might as well look at it in a positive light! Chores like raking leaves, pulling weeds, and or laying sod are great ways to burn unwanted calories.

So next time you dread going out to do yard work, remember you are exercising while also improving your home. That’s killing two birds with one stone!

Biking

Biking outdoors provides a full-body workout while enjoying your day in the perfect outdoor weather. Cycling is a “low impact” exercise, so you can still strengthen your muscles and lose weight without putting too much stress on your joints.

You do not need to travel to the mountains or trails to enjoy biking. Take your family for a long bike ride around your neighborhood for a fun fall activity.

Outdoor Classes

Fall is a time for a change. Instead of the old workout classes at your gym, look for outdoor options available. The two we recommend are outdoor yoga or boot camp classes.

Whether you are entirely new to yoga or have only experienced it inside of a studio, outdoor yoga is something everyone should try. This meditation practice is one of the best exercises you can do for both your mind and body. Benefits include promoting balance, increasing muscle strength, improving flexibility, and relieving stress.

You can also sign up for an instructed boot camp class at your local park. These high-intensity workouts incorporate strength, cardio, and endurance while also enjoying the fall weather and maintain social distancing. These classes can range from cross fit exercises, hill sprints, and circuit training.

If your budget is a little tight, you can use our 20 minute HIIT workout or find videos on YouTube and try them out at the local park.

Training Tips:

Use reflective gear or flashing lights: with fewer daylight hours to exercise, wear clothes and shoes with reflective patches or strap on a light if you’re running or biking at night.

Dress for the weather: No matter what you do, make sure you dress the part. Since fall weather can be unpredictable, it’s essential to know the temperature before you exercise outside. We recommend wearing layers so you can shed some extra clothes when your body starts warming up as you get moving.

Stay hydrated: Since the weather isn’t as warm, you may forget to hydrate since you aren’t thirsty. Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after you exercise.

Be creative: If you live in the city, it can be hard to find the right spot to try out your new outdoor activities. Take advantage of neighborhood parks or an empty playground for a unique workout.

Now Go Outside and Play!

It’s important to make exercising part of your daily routine and not just during certain seasons. Fall gives you the chance to try something different.

Go outdoors and get active before the snow starts to fall. You will have plenty of time for Netflix this winter.