Three (More) Unconventional Outdoor Exercises to Keep You In Shape

While it’s somewhat of a follow up to another outdoor exercises article written by yours truly, we’re getting off the beaten path for this one.

Exercising outdoors is great for the body and the mind.

You get out into the world, breath fresh air, and come out in better shape than ever.

Here’s 3 more outdoor exercises you can do to get in the best shape possible.

Trail Running

Trail running, baby.

Not just jogging on any old street.

Get out to a local park with some dirt paths and get after it. Maybe even pop off the shoes if you’re feeling dangerous.

What’s so different about trail running compared to just running on the street? Glad you asked.

There’s actually a number of key differences compared to just running on a road or around a track.

On trails, naturally, you have a bit more up and down. Or side to side.

Footing might not always be *quite* even.

Some days, the ground is hard, while other days it’s a little mushy.

All this variability helps you build better balance, helps target new muscles in the legs, and promotes better bone density because there’s less impact on soil than on tarmac.

Basically — by removing the human elements of a pre-planned and level road, you have the ability to work out more of your legs than usual.

It’s definitely not a bad thing to go jogging, no matter where you can make it happen, but going on trails affords you a more holistic workout.

Not only that, but you also get to experience some good nature during your workout, and you get to build that mental toughness associated with running in difficult conditions.

If you’re looking to mix up your typical jogging routine, take it down to a local park and see if it’s for you.

Sand Sprints

Similar, but different.

This time, we’re not running on trails. We’re running (sprinting) on the beach.

You can actually get similar benefits out of jumping jacks, etc. too, but the key benefit is the sand.

Training in sand activates areas of the foot almost never used day to day.

It can help strengthen your feet, toes, and ankles, and raise your metabolism for hours to days after exercise.

Why is this?

Basically, more resistance when you push off.

Instead of gaining that level of traction you’re accustomed to from a hardwood floor or tarmac, you instead get a little give.

This trains different muscles, many of which are below the knee to support stability, and you get a different style of workout.

The mental benefits here are nothing to scoff at either.

For many athletes, there’s a confidence factor at play.

If you’re confident you can succeed running or exercising in tough circumstances where the ground doesn’t quite cooperate like you’re used to, then you may be able to access a higher level of performance on normal surfaces.

Strangely too, even though sand sprinting is tougher in some ways, it actually rests more tendon combinations than regular sprinting.

Therefore, sand training every so often can be a physical rest for athletes who want to get a workout in without overtraining, which is a main source of injury.

Food for thought.

Real Sports

Yeah, I said it. Real sports.

Many of us can get burnt out in the gym. We don’t want to go another round. We’re sick of the training aspect.

Turns out “working out” isn’t the only way to get in and maintain great shape.

Try playing a real sport!!

Pickup basketball, tossing around a football, kicking around a football (soccer ball) or even playing some tennis are ways to get active but have fun doing it.

Getting in shape or training can get boring sometimes.

But if you add an objective to the workout you can have a lot more fun.

Get the ball in the hoop, put it in the goal, or slam the tennis ball across the net and in bounds.

The mental rush you feel when you’re playing a sport well motivates you to keep going.

You almost forget that you’re tired.

Your mind gets lost in the game.

And when you’re playing a sport, especially one that you don’t play much, you use muscles that you don’t normally use.

Not that this is a great way to work those muscles out — I’m sure there are specific exercises for any muscle in the body — but it gets your body to perform new movements and even gives you an incentive to train harder so you can play better.

At the end of the day, the reason many of us work out or started working out is to get in great shape for sports.

Even though you’re out of high school, or for the lucky ones, college, doesn’t mean you have to stop playing.

If you’re a bit older, take care of yourself, stretch out beforehand (dynamic stretches not static) and have fun without pushing yourself too hard.

Not too late to get out there and be a playmaker, and few things are as good of an all around workout as playing sports.

Seek unconventional ways to exercise. Get outside and soak some sunlight.

Your body and your mind need it.

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