Get outside with these spring workout ideas

It’s hard to believe we’re hitting spring already, but as the temperature gets warmer and the grass and leaves get greener, we as humans get a little bit of a revival, too.

After long, cold nights, the opportunity to spend more time outside has the fitness-minded among us itching for a fresh challenge - and we’re here to provide some inspiration.

Ready to get that outdoor burn? Here are some spring workout ideas to get your blood pumping, no gym required. 

Things to take with you

As always, if you’re going to be working out to any degree of intensity, we’d recommend taking a bottle of water – particularly if you’re going to be under the sun for any period of time.

That means sunscreen is an important consideration, too, so be sure to throw some in your gym bag to reapply if you need to. For the same reason, we’d also recommend a hat with a visor and sunglasses. 

Running/walking/cycling

It may seem obvious, but when the sun comes out, a run, walk or cycle are great go-to exercises. 

If you’re just starting out, consider focusing on distance as opposed to time – knowing you can make it a certain distance, even if it involves stopping, can give you a huge psychological advantage when attempting the same route again. Removing that hurdle can then allow you to start improving your pace as you go.

There are also plenty of running and cycling clubs that are worth looking into if you feel exercise can be a little isolating. 

‍Bootcamp

On a similar note, many communities have bootcamp classes. While some can be found at the gym, others are seasonal and run outdoor sessions in the fresh air.

Usually lasting up to an hour, bootcamp works a variety of muscle groups with a focus on form and endurance. That can make them a great companion to a regular weightlifting regimen focused on lifting big. Most are also fairly inexpensive, a great way to meet like minded people, and they can help you get your daily dose of vitamin D in at the same time. 

Outdoor Circuit Training

We’ll be honest, this one is for those more confident folks that are happy to put their body through its paces in a public place (or in your garden or yard).

Circuit training revolves around completing a set of activities one after another, and you can find ample opportunity to do it without any equipment, too.

Bodyweight exercises like squats or push-ups are a great option, as well as ab-focused exercises like sit-ups, crunches, or planks.

Better yet, find a park bench for tricep dips, incline or decline push-ups, and finish with a run. If you’re short on ideas but want to give this a try, this cool site generates a WOD (workout of the day) for you that’s completely bodyweight-based. This is the workout we got: 

170 air squats

15 rope climbs

60 v-ups

50 muscle-ups

40 inch worms

70 hanging knee raises

30 shoulder taps (each side)

90 knees-to-elbow

You can substitute the activities that might not be possible with zero equipment  (like rope climbs and muscle-ups), but this is a great place to start until you become a little more comfortable with programming your own circuits. 

Water Activities

If you’re lucky enough to live near a body of water (and it’s safe to do so), there’s plenty you can do while in a lake or ocean. Surfing, for example, is a balance-focused activity that can help you improve core strength, while swimming is a full-body workout. 

Pools can also be great for low-impact workouts, and many community centers and gyms will often offer group aerobic classes once the weather warms up. 

Hiking

Whether you live among the fields and hills or find yourself in an urban jungle, there’s nothing quite like a long hike, particularly when there’s a degree of elevation involved. We love using AllTrails to find a suitable place and distance to hike. 

Wherever you end up, be sure to pack supplies - and factor in how long it’ll take you to get back!

‍Outdoor Gyms

They’re not as common in some parts of the world, but outdoor gyms can often be a great place to work out – even if your exercises are, essentially, the same as within your usual gym.

Whether it’s using a pull-up bar or sturdy outdoor resistance machines, filling your lungs with the breeze between sets is a treat in and of itself.

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