Parks N' Recreation

  If you've read my previously blog posts, then you know that people generally workout less in the summertime. This may seem quite contradictory as summer time is generally when people wear the least amount of clothing, but I don't make the rules: I merely find ways of moving around the rules- my teenage angst lives on!!! Take that Dr. Fisher!

A common excuse I hear from clients is "It's so nice out...Ya know? I don't want to be inside" ( I literally hear those exact words with little to no alteration EVERY time). 

There is a happy medium here, however, as Vancouver is blessed with beautiful and well kept parks that are actually here to be used! Many Vancouver parks even have fitness circuits, tracks, stairs or at the very least benches that are great for a summer routine. Added bonuses to a outdoor routine are vitamin D, renewed enthusiasm for your fitness and the added self-confidence which comes from taking your workout to a whole new playing field (ahaha..I kill me).

As I mentioned, some parks in Vancouver have their own circuits, such as Carnarvon Park. If you are keen on doing a park circuit, try this workout;

Warm-up:

-Lap around park perimeter ( 5 out of 10 exertion)

Workout:

-Complete circuit once through 

-1 minute rest

-Lap around park ( 7 out of 10 exertion)

-Complete circuit second time through

-1 minute rest

-Lap around park (8 out of 10 exertion)

Cool Down:

Walk around Park to cool down

The above should take you about a half hour to complete. 

If you aren't doing a pre-planned circuit, create your own using what you have and adding in laps around the park intervals style.

In the worst case scenario you'll only have a bench, so lets work with that:

Warm-up:

-Jog around perimeter of park ( 5 out of 10 exertion)

Workout:

-Step ups on bench, leading with left leg for 15, repeat with right

-Push-ups with feet on the bench, hands on ground

-Tricep dips off the edge of the bench

-Jump-ups onto bench ( Jumping onto bench from ground, landing with soft knees in a squat)

-Mountain Climbers 

Lap around park 7 out of 10 exertion, 

REPEAT TWICE!

Being a natural Vancouverite, I find myself getting the rainy day blues in a major way, or even the sunny day blues sometimes.

The energy resurgence and release that comes from a new outdoor workout is a great measure in self-care and overall self-awareness. Hopefully this suggestion will not only have you feeling great about yourself, but great about your city too!

Truly, madly, deeply,

Sasha