Summer Swaps

Cameron Diaz takes advantage of the outdoors, and the local junkyard, by flipping tires

Now that it's warmer I'm making an effort to ditch the gym and do some work outside. Here are some ideas for swapping your indoor workout for the great outdoors. 

Treadmill intervals --> Sprinting up a hill

If you run near the Capitol, you may see me sprinting up the hill and walking down. I felt awkward until I saw a father doing the same thing, but pushing his stroller up the hill with him...faster than me.

Stairmaster --> Climb real stairs

Okay, I'm not sure if anybody really uses the stairmaster anymore but running up and down stairs is an amazing cardio workout. There are large sets of stairs everywhere. Years ago I started to run the stairs at Nationals Ballpark and was worried I'd get shooed away by security. But I may gave started a trend because I saw a bootcamp style fitness class running the steps recently.

Bench press --> Pushups

I can't say enough good things about pushups. They can be modified for any skill level, and they're 100% portable. Don't be shy to bust out a set of pushups on the fly. If they're good enough for the women and men that protect our country, they can help you improve no matter your fitness level. Bodyweight squats and lunges are also just as effective outside as they are in a gym.

Recumbent bike --> Real bike

Are you the guy reading a magazine while halfheartedly pedaling on the bike at the gym? Ditch the periodical and step outside where it’s much harder to slack off. Cycling is also excellent because it’s one of the few exercises that builds muscle and improves your aerobic capacity at the same. So make the investment in a decent bike and hit the trail or roads.