Spring is finally here, giving us a boost of motivation to head outside and embrace the new season with a new workout. Getting out into nature has its own health benefits, helping to improve your mood, concentration and sleep quality, giving you even more reasons to take your workout outside and try a new outdoor activity. Here are three to try.
Roller skating
Rollerskating is now a popular outdoor activity in many European cities, with some using roller skating as an alternative to cycling to get around town. In fact the Belgian city of Brussels even encouraged inhabitants to roller skate as an alternative to public transport during its 2016 Mobility Week event.
If you don't feel confident enough to hit the road just yet, your local park is a great place to practice and build up both confidence and fitness.
Roller skating brings many health benefits, giving you a complete cardio workout that raises heart rate, burns calories and increases leg muscle strength. Its effects are even comparable to those experienced from running and cycling, and if you do it with friends and family it can be even more fun.
Slacklining
A great one to try with friends, this fun activity will boost your mood in just one session no matter how good, or not so good, you are at it.
All you need to get started is a slackline suitable for your level to tie beneath two trees in your local park. Many videos are available online to show you how to set up your line and get started walking, as well as some tricks to try once you have mastered the basics. You'll fall a few times, but that's all part of the fun! And once you do get going slacklining is a great activity to work your core muscles, strengthen the lower body, boost your mental concentration as you focus on walking the line, and improve balance and posture.
Like rollerskating this can also be a great activity to try as a family and take the kids outdoors too.
Outdoor Bootcamps
Bootcamps are a great way to really challenge yourself and improve fitness quickly. The variety of exercises works many major muscle groups, and thanks to the fast-paced, high-energy atmosphere many find a bootcamp works them harder than their regular gym workout or class.
But it's not all work and no play in a bootcamp: find one you like and it's a great way to make new friends and enjoy some healthy competition. And, if you haven't left the gym before you might also be surprised at how different it feels to work out outdoors, not to mention how much strength you can build by leaving the weights in the gym and just using your own body.
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