Many View Spring as a Time for Renewal

Looking for ways to shake up or refresh your fitness routine? How about these options?

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding is one of the fastest growing fitness activities and a great option for those who live near water—a lake, river, or the ocean will do.  This floating fitness class fuses cardio, strength, balance and coordination on the water.  You’ll work your core; strengthen your muscle stabilizers, condition your cardiovascular system all while enjoying the great outdoors.

You can make spring cleaning more effective and entertaining by occasionally dropping to the floor with a hand towel and performing “Core Crunching Towel Drags.” 
Place your toes on a towel and then walk out to the plank position—you’ll look like you are about to perform a push up.  Keep your hands still and your toes on the towel; engage your core and start bending your legs.  Slowly draw your knees as close to your chest as possible and then slowly return to the start position.  Clean for a while and then drop and go for ten reps!

Take your walking workout to the beach.  Sand increases your calorie expenditure up about 50% due to the increased effort and resistance.  Warm-up for a few minutes on the hard packed sand near the water—due to the sloping surface, walk in both directions for muscular balance.  Make the workout more challenging by walking faster, walking through the shallow water or by walking in the softer, dryer sand.  All of these options require your leg muscles to work harder and ups the intensity. 

Feel like a kid again and bring a sense of fun to exercise with a “playground workout.”  Start with a walk or jog around the perimeter of the park.  Then use the various pieces of equipment for resistance exercises: use a bench for step-ups, pushups and triceps dips; lie on the ground underneath the jungle gym bars for reverse pull-ups, use an overhead monkey bar for traditional pull-ups and hanging abdomen knee raises; and sit in a swing to feel the abdomen muscle engagement every time you push forward.

Be Well and Be Fit,
Sharon Rekieta, PhD
Fitness and Wellness Director Lake Austin Spa Resort