Staying Fit and Having Fun
By Shannon Sutton
Tired of the same old same old?
Do you feel you’ve reached a fitness plateau?
Maybe you’re just ready for a change of scenery. Lets take that workout to the great outdoors! A stadium, such as one at a school or athletic center, makes for a great outdoor gym. You might want to bring a towel or a mat, and of course be sure to bring lots of water and/or low-calorie sports drinks. Some lightweight dumbbells would be great, too.
• Begin with a couple of warm-up laps.
• Now it’s time to hit the bleachers. Fast, slow, it is all beneficial; however, you may want to take it more slowly on the way down. Remember to engage your core muscles and focus on gluteal contraction.
• Time to bring your heart rate back down with crunches, banana rolls, Pilates “teaser,” plank, etc. This is where a mat comes in handy.
• Do lunges, lunges and more lunges! Lunge-walk the straights, and speed walk the curves. It’s a good idea to incorporate bicep curls, lateral raises and tricep kickbacks with the lunges.
• When you need a break, get back to abdominal work.
This cardio/resistance workout is sure to burn some serious calories! Don’t forget the sunscreen when you head outdoors, and be sure to stay well-hydrated.
Shannon Sutton is an independent certified personal trainer. Her certifications include ISSA, NASM, APEX and Reebok. She has invested years in helping individuals reach health, fitness and wellness goals. Contact her at (210) 722-3962.
