Get Outside!
Outdoor routines are in this summer, from intense exercise programs like HIIT and competitions like tough mudder, to meditation and yoga classes. We were naturally designed to get outside, so ditch the gym this summer and get outdoors! Just being outside in the sun boosts out endorphins or the chemicals responsible for making us happy.
Taking your routine outdoors is a great idea for many reasons, and is really good for beginners. This is because many people are either intimidated or embarrassed by their weight, or the fact that they are unfamiliar with the equipment at the gym.
If this sounds like you, take your routine outside where you can exercise alone, and at peace. Worrying about what the local businessman or schoolteacher thinks of you at the gym should be the least of your concerns, so take your routine elsewhere if necessary.
Being outside has the additional benefit of sun exposure, which provides us with the best possible source of Vitamin D imaginable. Vitamin D not only helps the body to absorb calcium which is important in maintaining bone health, but it plays other roles as well.
Lack of Vitamin D is linked to a variety of cancers like colon, intestinal and rectal cancers, and Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a slew of other serious health ailments as well. So get outside and make sure you are getting enough sun exposure!
Beat the Heat and Go Swim
If you’re worried about getting too sweaty out of embarrassment or just overheating from exercising out in the heat all day, take up swimming. Not only will swimming cool you off, there are plenty of other benefits that go along with swimming as well.
If you are just a beginner, are suffering from an injury or are just generally immobile, aquatic exercise is for you. Just being in the water alone relieves the stress on your muscles and joints due to the force of gravity.
This is because of a phenomenon known as buoyancy, where the water itself negates some of the forces of gravity. Thus this makes training in water great for rehabilitation for those who suffered serious injuries or are elderly.
In addition to water causing less stress on joints and muscles, exercising in the water has the benefit of providing a full body exercise. This is because navigating your body through the water requires many muscle groups working simultaneously, similar to what you would get in a compound exercise yet better.
New exercises that involve training in the water are becoming the new trend as well, such as high resistance endurance training referred to as poolbiking which is exactly what is sounds like. It is essentially a spin class underwater, and is very interesting to say the least.
Move it or Lose it
Whatever program you choose, make sure you do so quickly so that you can get right to work. The only thing worse than incorrectly picking the optimal exercise is not doing one at all.
Atrophy, or the wasting away of our muscle tissue is a serious concern because of how fast it can happen. If you have ever heard the old adage, use it before you lose it you know what I mean. In such a short period of time of only 3 weeks an individual can see noticeable differences in muscle mass and definition so it is important to keep on track.
As said earlier the only thing worse than not picking the correct exercise is doing nothing at all, but you still need to figure out what works best for you. If you are unsure of how to do so, the best thing to go off of is your age and fitness level.
For example if you are an elderly woman who doesn’t exercise regularly, doing some aerobics in the pool is probably your best option. Conversely if you are a young professional in good shape but have limited time, a high intensity interval training program would probably be best. Just tailor your program the best you can to fit your needs and get going!
