FUN SPRING ACTIVITIES TO BREAK THE MONOTONY OF THE GYM

It’s that time of year. Spring is here and the pollen is starting to fade. It’s the perfect time to take a break from the gym and spend some time outside before summer hits and it’s too hot. Many people don’t think outside the box when it comes to working out. They limit themselves to the gym, biking or running. There are so many fun activities to do in nature that may not kick your butt like an afternoon at the gym, but they are fun and still strengthen muscles and burn calories.

adult scavenger hunt

When I was a kid, I always enjoyed scavenger hunts. It was fun finding stuff and of course, the competition helped. The great news is, scavenger hunts don’t have to stop when you “grow up”. There are all sorts of hunts that you can create but my favorite are scavenger hunts in nature because all you need is a list of what to find. Minimal pre-planning required. Here is a partial list to get you started.

• Three different kinds of birds
• A dead tree
• Berries of something edible (but don’t eat it!)
• Something poison, like poison ivy or poison oak
• A water source
• Deer or animal tracks
• A spider web
• Three different types of insects
• A feather
• An ant hill
• A bird’s nest
• Seeds
• Eroded soil
• Trash
• A small rock or pebble
• Three different textures such as smooth, course or slimy

kayaking

All you need for kayaking is a body of water and a kayak. In my local area, we have lakes and rivers, and if I drive a couple of hours, the ocean. There are all different types of Kayaks from single to double to inflatable to hard shell and the prices are all over the place. In some areas, you can also rent kayaks to test drive them before you buy.

Kayaking is a low impact activity that can improve your aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. Specific health benefits include: Improved cardiovascular fitness. Increased muscle strength, particularly in the back, arms, shoulders and chest, from moving the paddle.

creek walk

Walking along a creek is a very rewarding experience. Whether you want to exercise, learn about nature, be inspired, or do some environmental clean-up, the creek walk has something to offer every kind of person. My husband loves to look for arrowheads, the kids like to look for critters and I enjoy the physical aspect of it. We all participate in trash clean-up if we come across any. It’s also fun to pack a picnic and enjoy nature while you have a bite to eat.

greenway

My area in NC is full of greenways. If you have a greenway near you I highly recommend taking advantage of it. Most are paved and shared use meaning, you can walk, jog, skate, bike, or skateboard on them. We have a local greenway that is in a protected forest area. The trails there are unpaved on crushed gravel, so activities are limited to mountain biking and walking/jogging. Taking use of the Greenway in the spring is ideal because it’s not too hot and not too cold. It’s just right. 

paddleboard

This is something that I have wanted to try for years but it still hasn’t happened yet. One day. It’s on my “list”.  Stand up paddleboarding is an excellent workout. It works out the upper body, legs and builds core strength in a fun and low-intensity way. From what I have heard, it’s pretty simple to do once you get your balance. It burns a lot of calories while being low-impact and easy on the body. 

strawberry picking

It’s that time of year here in NC. Strawberry farms are open for picking. This is another fun, low-impact activity. Walking up and down the aisles, squatting to pick the berries while getting some gold old fashioned Vitamin D. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon. According to Fitness magazine, you can burn over 600 calories with two hours picking berries. Although I’ve never berry picked for 2 hours, my kids have full baskets after about 15 minutes. Lol. Pro Tip: If you stack too many berries on top of one another, they bruise. So be mindful of that.

garden

With all of the crazy going on in the world right now, I don’t think there has ever been a better time to plant a vegetable garden. Not only will it provide you with low impact activity, it will feed your family and possibly your friends and neighbors as well. 

Spending 30-45 minutes in the garden can burn 300 calories. Exercise in the garden gives all major muscle groups a good workout including your legs, arms, buttocks, stomach, neck, and back. Whether it comes in the form of digging up soil, setting plants, or carrying water, exercise is taking place.

Here are a few easy things to grow in a small garden:

• cucumbers
• tomatoes
• herbs
• peas
• squash
• peppers
• pole beans
• lettuce

horseback riding

This is a fun activity that you can do solo or with a group. I haven’t gone riding in years but I remember the last time I went I was incredibly sore the next day. When I rode as a child, I never felt it. The joys of getting older. 

This is a great overall body workout with focus on the core, butt and legs. Just 30 minutes riding a horse can burn 150 calories. If you are looking for an activity that doesn’t feel like exercise while you are doing it, this is a great one. And if you have a chance to ride on a beach, do it. There is something extra special about hearing the waves crash and trotting along the sand.

If you are tired of being cooped up in the house during the winter or tired of having to workout at the gym daily, this is the perfect time of year to break the tediousness of winter ‘hibernation’. Pick your favorite outdoor activity and give it a try.