Four Ways to Get Fit Outdoors this Summer

What are your summer plans?  Do you want to stay fit, but not spend hours in the gym all summer long?  Are you looking to lose weight, get toned, or get stronger?  How about all three at once?  Well here are some fitness tips that will keep you outside during the summer and climbing the mountain of fitness.

1. Nightly Walking-A large majority of the population remains active during the day time and after dinner choose to just “relax”.  Whether is with your favorite book, TV show, or movie, it usually doesn’t require a whole lot of physical activity.  However, I have found a very relaxing after dinner activity that not only really helps the day unwind, but burns more than double the calories than sitting and watching TV.  This activity is nightly walking.  Now, I don’t recommend walking in pitch black.  However, a perfect time to walk is when the sun is nearly set and it’s getting darker.  Everything is calm and quiet.  You can listen to the wind blowing and birds chirping.  You don’t have to walk super fast, but after 30 minutes to an hour of a relaxing walk, you’ll be ready for a peaceful sleep knowing you are ahead of the game as far as calorie burning is concerned.

2. Trail Running/Biking-Oakland Township is a trail runner’s dream.  I grew up in a country small town setting, played in the woods, and spent a lot of time outdoors.  However, where I’m from, there were never any trails.  If you live in Oakland Township and have not run their trails, you have to add it to the to-do list (for as soon as this weather gets warmer).  Bear Creek Nature Park is a very nice place to do this.

3. Swimming-You burn more calories swimming than you can from biking or running.  Swimming targets your entire body like no other exercise does.  You get resistance training without adding stress on your joints.  You improve your cardiovascular endurance and lung capacity without taking a pounding from jogging on the sidewalks.  The greatest benefit is… it’s fun.  You don’t have to swim laps to enjoy the health benefits of being in the water.  Water play will also burn calories.

4. Boot Camp Fitness at Snap Fitness of Oakland Township-Snap Fitness is just about to launch its first outdoor boot camp class in less than a week.  Entitled Boot Camp Fitness, this class will help you get in shape and enjoy the summertime air.  Appropriate for anyone who’s looking to lose weight, strengthen their bodies, and tone their muscles, the boot camp will utilize body weight training, Plyometrics, mini-obstacle courses, circuit training, calisthenics, running, and stretching.  It is being split into two camps, the first camp runs six weeks May 23rd-July 1st and the second camp runs six weeks July 11th-August 19th.  The camp meets three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) at 5:45 AM at Snap Fitness.  For more information you can contact Dan Sabin or check out the Snap Fitness website

The main thing to remember is, if you don't want to do, you won't.  So find a few things you enjoy and get moving this summer!

If you have any questions, feel free to comment.  Also, if there is a topic or specific question you'd like to see answered in the blog, send me an email at coachsabin@gmail.com. I would gladly do weekly 'ask the trainer' blog post.

Note: Dan Sabin is an independent contractor as Personal Trainer through Snap Fitness of Oakland township and is also the instructor for the boot camp laid out above.