Top 5 eco-friendly ways to work out for Earth Day

Apr 18, 2012 12:43 PM by Michele Borboa, MS

Posted in Health & Wellness / Diet & Fitness / Exercise & Fitness

Take a hike

Let's face it: The hustle and bustle of health clubs can be far from relaxing. One of the best ways to work out and de-stress is to find your nearest trail system and go hiking. If you're used to walking or jogging on a treadmill, those steep mountain inclines are sure to get your heart pumping -- no electricity required. For the best hiking experience, the experts at ACE recommend that you bring water, a snack, insect repellent and sunscreen.

Here are some more smart hiking tips >>

Go pedaling

Spin class is fun, but consider it training to ride your real bike. Take a leisure ride through your community or venture outside of the city so you can work on your speed. Biking will boost your cardiovascular fitness as well as your lower-body muscular endurance and strength. Keep your abs engaged and you'll get a great core workout, too. Be sure to obey all traffic laws and trail rules, wear your helmet and reflective clothing (or lights if you're biking at dusk or dawn), take water and a snack, and use your hand signals to alert drivers and other bikers.

Tips to get the right bike fit >>

Dive in

For those of you near a lake or ocean, jump in and swim for fitness (assuming it's warm enough, of course). If you rarely swim at the gym, put it on your exercise to-do list for this spring and summer to add variety to your regular workout regime. The fitness pros at ACE give two thumbs-up to swimming because lap swimming gives you a great full-body workout, while using a noodle, hand-held paddles or a kickboard offers cardio and strength training benefits. When you're swimming outside, remember to slather on the sunscreen to protect your skin.

Swim fitness: The ultimate water workout >>

Get rolling

Inline skating, also known as Rollerblading, is a fun, fast way to exercise in the great outdoors. Whether it's through the neighborhood or at a local park, this is an activity your entire family will enjoy. Rollerblading can increase your cardio fitness, core strength, lower-body muscle tone, and balance. Just be sure to wear protective gear, such as wrist, elbow and knee pads, and a helmet to help prevent injuries in the case you or another family member takes a spill.

How to skate yourself fit and trim >>

Stretch out

We recommend taking advantage of any outdoor workout, especially if there is a bootcamp class at the nearest park, but if you're looking to wind down and stretch out, look for outdoor yoga or Pilates classes. Always be diligent about wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated, regardless of the outdoor activity you're doing.

How to ditch the gym every day of the week >>

More on Earth Day

Earth Day crafts for kids
Environmentally inspired Earth Day cocktail recipes
4 fun things to do outdoors to celebrate Earth Day

Tags: earth day activities fitness tips

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