Fall is the best time of year to workout outside—the cooler temperatures make it more bearable when you work up a sweat. Try these fall
workout tips and outdoor exercises to ramp up your workout routine when the temperatures start to drop.
Safety First
If you are working out in the wee hours of the morning or in the evening, make sure to account for lower visibility. Since the sun is starting to set earlier, you need to make sure you can see and be seen, especially if you run along roads. New running headlamps with front
and back lamps are even safer than options with only a front lamp. Even if you aren’t running, a headlamp will increase your sightline so you don’t accidentally scatter that pile of leaves you spent hours raking! Leaves and other floral detritus can be slippery, so wear proper shoes with good grip to avoid taking a spill.
Back to School Outdoor Exercises
Many high schools, and even some middle schools, have outdoor tracks that are open to the public when track practice is not in session. Of course, running on the track is much safer than out on the road with cars, but there are other aspects of the school you can incorporate into your workout. Use the stadium stairs for even more heart-pumping cardio. If the track does not have stairs, find a bench and use that for box jumps, triceps dips, or as a “stair.”
Hiking
Lower temperatures mean fewer bugs, and hiking in the woods is much more bearable this time of year than in the summer. Depending on the terrain, not only can hiking be good cardio but hilly or mountainous terrain will also build up your muscles from climbing. The added health benefit of hiking is mental—
studies have shown that being out in nature has psychological benefits and promotes contentment and a general sense of well-being.
