Words by Holly Tomlinson

Ah, springtime. That joyous season of sunshine, rain, warmer weather, and blooming flowers. This year, it’s time to make the most of the warm temperatures and ample sunshine by taking your workout routine outdoors. Sure, you can get some serious grinding on in the gym, but if the weather’s nice, why not take advantage?

In this post, we’ll cover four of the best ways you can get outdoors this spring while still hitting those fitness milestones you promised yourself when you made your New Year’s resolution back in January. Let’s take a closer look.

Trail running

If you’re used to running on city streets, or maybe even an indoor treadmill at the gym, you may be yearning for something to change it up just a little bit. That’s where trail running comes in. It’s all the fun, heart-racing cardio of regular running, but you do it on a gorgeous nature trail! This is a great way to get in that workout while also enjoying beautiful weather, listening to the birds, and taking in the sights of all those springtime blooms. What do you need to get started? It’s pretty simple:

• Trail running shoes are a must, as they come equipped with trail-gripping rubber lugs that you’ll need for traction on slippery terrain.
• Running shorts are a plus, as longer shorts can get caught on your knees and impede your running.
• It’s a good idea to bring a small backpack so you can pack in water and a snack; you don’t want to spend time in the outdoors without at least water just in case.

If running’s not your thing, don’t worry – there are more options.

Biking

Biking is one of the most fun, efficient, end eco-friendly workouts around! And the good news is that you can even combine your morning and afternoon commute with a sweet bike ride if you’re extra strapped for time. But did you know that there are a few different kinds of biking and different bikes to go with them? It’s true. These are just a few of the options:

• Road bikes are good for speed demons who want to tear up the streets and go the distance. If you’re trying to bike over 10 miles for your workouts, you’ll definitely want to invest in a road bike.
• Mountain bikes are made for rough and tumble trails, and come equipped with rider, grippier tires, serious shock absorbers and suspension, and a tactical build to enhance performance on rough trails.
• Commuter bikes incorporate some of the slick speediness of road bikes with some of the endurance and shock-absorbing abilities of mountain bikes. They’re made for cross-town runs that might include a few potholes and rough curbs.

Looking for something other than cardio? Read on!

Park workouts

Did you know that lots of public parks have awesome workout equipment that you can use totally for free? It’s true! Whether you’re interested in classic calisthenics or you’re looking for an intense lifting session, it’s likely that nearby parks will have decent options. These include:

• Pull-up bars for an intense workout that gets your biceps, triceps, shoulders, and neck muscles moving and growing.
• Sit-up benches, so you can start working on those abs you promised the wife by Labor Day.
• Pushup and blank benches, ideal for getting maxed-out pecs, biceps, and triceps.

Many parks also have running tracks you can use, so don’t be afraid to try that out if running on a springy and consistent surface is your thing!

Kayaking

Are you more the adventuring type? Well, we’ve got a great idea for you: kayaking. This awesome outdoor watersport is perfect for those who want a serious upper-body and ab workout while also taking in the gorgeous sights of nature, whether that’s on a lake, a river, or out in the wide-open ocean. Here are the basics you’ll need for an awesome kayaking workout:

• A kayak – this is pretty obvious, but you might not know where to get one. They’re available for purchase at outdoor retailers, but you can also often rent them from some retailers as well as at stores near the body of water you’ll be using.
• A helmet – don’t get caught in a rogue wave without a helmet. It’s important to protect your noggin from random debris in the water, as well as from your paddles.
• A life jacket – even if you know how to swim, a life jacket will make survival that much easier. Don’t get caught without one!

Those are our ideas for outdoor workouts this spring! Let us know what you end up choosing to change up your routine!