It’s Friday, so I am linking up with Courtney at Eat, Pray, Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their weekly linkup. Each week they pick a theme and bloggers join in and link up. This year instead of specific themes, they are letting us be creative with broad themes for each week of the month. The first week of each month is a “fitness” week. Summer is here and with it there are some great ways to stay fit this summer for free (or cheap!) All you need is your workout gear and yourself.
5 Fun, Free (or Cheap) Ways to Stay Fit This Summer
1. Create your own outdoor fitness bootcamp or scavenger hunt style work out. I run a lot and I can be super boring about mixing up workouts and doing strength work. I saw some fun workouts where you find a mile or so running area in a park or off road area and then either do drills between running intervals to create a bootcamp work out by adding sets of squats, lunges and push ups. Or, you can try associating an activity with a common object that you will see for a “scavenger hunt” workout. For instance, each time you see a park bench or sign post, drop and do 10 push ups or squats. Get the idea? Pick 4 or 5 key moves and go for a brisk walk or jog. Be creative and have fun. Recruit your friends!
2. Join a fun run at a local running store or fitness store. I am on the mailing lists for my local running stores, Lululemon, Athleta and other running groups. I get invited to tons of free fun runs. Many of them have fun sponsors, free refreshments and sometimes giveaways/product trials. It’s also a great way to meet people. I loved North Face’s Global Running Day fun run with Dean Karnazes. We met and ran with Dean, got free food and drink and my friend Kristen won a North Face jacket.
3. Get a group of friends to practice “Roga” – run and then yoga. Plan a run and then lead your group (or yourself) in some sun salutations. Learn a quick routine free on the internet and share with your friends or recruit a friend who teaches yoga or Pilates to lead the way.
4. Exercise on the beach or run on a trail. I just saw an article that working out in sand or on trails leaves your muscles less fatigued and burns more calories. A win-win. Take a run (or walk) on the beach and jump in when you are done. Hit a local trail for a run or hike. It is usually free or inexpensive and can be such a good change of pace.
5. Step it up! Walking is such good exercise. It’s low impact and you can do it almost anywhere. My Fitbit obsession has me walking everywhere and anywhere this summer and I just love it.
What are your free summer fitness faves? Please leave them in the comments.
Have a happy and safe 4th of July!
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!