Three New Sports to Try This Summer in the Great Outdoors

It’s always a good idea to switch things up a little, especially with your exercise routine. It’s an excellent way to prevent boredom as well as to potentially work a few different muscles. With warmer weather here and summer just around the corner, here is a look at three sports you might try instead of your current workout routine.

If you’re a runner, try trail running instead

Trail running is a great way to get out and enjoy some beautiful scenery and to also kick up your normal running routine. It typically involves running on more diverse terrain and can often include steep inclines, increasing your calorie burn by as much as 10%. By adding a backpack you’ll burn even more calories with the added weight. In addition,  by running on a softer dirt trail instead of hard pavement, you’ll reduce some of the impact on your body.

If you’re a swimmer, try stand up paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboarding, or paddlesurfing, is a great way to have fun and burn lots of calories. Instead of swimming in a pool, try adding this new sport to your routine. It originated in Hawaii and is actually an ancient form of surfing. It’s fairly inexpensive compared to many other water sports, and you can paddleboard on the waves or flat water. All you need is a paddle and a board.

Paddleboarding is also a great full body workout requiring continuous coordination and balance. If you mix swimming with paddleboarding you’ll soon be on your way to the best shape of your life! This activity burns as many as 800 to 1,000 calories per hour for the average male or 500 to 700 calories for the average female.

If you participate in yoga classes, try taking it outdoors

Why exercise indoors when the weather is gorgeous outside? There are many outdoor yoga classes available across the nation, and in addition to getting a good workout you’ll experience the feeling of being one with nature. Classes can be found on the beach, at the park and many other scenic locations.

Yoga instructor Kristi Rogers remarked, “So much of yoga is about awareness, and taking it outside is another level of awareness that most people don’t get enough of anymore. As Americans and adults, we’re conditioned to an indoor environment. We used to be people that were outside all the time, and now it’s almost like a luxury to be outside and touch the grass. We’ve become so accustomed to not being in touch with outdoors and the ground. This kind of brings it back to that. It’s nice being outside seeing clouds move and dance.”

K.C. Dermody has been an avid runner, hiker, and yoga enthusiast for twenty years, and as a trained yoga instructor she taught a variety of students from senior citizens to competitive athletes. She enjoys combining her passion for sports, emotional and physical well-being with her love of writing. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on her website at www.kcdermodywriter.com.

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