Switch up your spring workout

Are you ready to break through the last of the winter blahs and start having fun this spring? Of course you are, and we’re here to help. Check out our picks for five fresh ways to get fit this spring. Trust us, you’ll forget you’re even exercising!

Get your game on

When was the last time you tossed a ball, made a great catch or scored a goal? If it’s been years (as in you were still in elementary school), it’s time to get sporty. Gather a group of like-minded friends and neighbors and start a weekly game of your choice, or join a local league. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, baseball or field hockey, getting outside and letting your competitive side come out can be a great way to get fit this spring.

Think like a kid

Exercise need not be boring. Think back to being a kid – being told to “Go out and play” was a blessing, not a curse. Get back to skipping rope, enlist your significant other in a game of Frisbee or race your kids around the block. Kids move for fun, not to fit into skinny jeans. Embrace some of that carefree attitude and all of sudden – fitness is fun!

Train as a group

Slugging it out with your trainer solo can be tough. We’re willing to bet there’s some days you’d rather be anywhere but being coaxed into yet another rep or what feels like your 500th pull-up. This spring, cut costs and have more fun by getting a group of friends or co-workers together and working out with a trainer together. The camaraderie will help keep you motivated and you’ll have much more fun doing endless leg lifts when you can gossip while you sweat.

Combine fitness and friends

Bored of your usual fitness routine? Skip the gym and enlist your best pals to help make burning calories less of a burden. Start a weekly walking or running club (you can catch up on each other's lives while you move), have a yoga or Pilates teacher come to one of your homes (whoever has the most space) or take a class (dance, boxing) as a group. You’ll sweat more, look at your weekly workouts in a whole new light (as in actually look forward to them) and have a great time.

Try something totally new

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, rock climb or even try the trapeze, there’s likely a class you can take to learn your activity of choice. Once a week (or more), you’ll be doing something fresh, new and invigorating. Not only will you be having fun, you’ll feel great knowing you’re learning a new skill.

Whatever you do to stay active this spring, make sure to change things up to avoid getting bored. If you’re hitting the gym three times a week, make one or two other days the ones where you work out with friends, do something new or get active with your kids or partner.

http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/956697/5-ways-to-get-fit-this-spring

Exercising Outdoors: The Perfect Circuit Workout for Hitting the Park and Shocking Your Body!

Now that the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping, it’s time to get outside. Ask for a sidewalk table at lunch, walk those 10 blocks instead of riding the subway and, our favorite, take your workout outside instead of hitting the gym. Heading outdoors will provide that extra ounce of motivation when your indoor workouts have gotten stale and, don’t worry; we’ve got a routine that is perfect for the park with all the benefits of a full gym.Objective: An innovative and exciting circuit workout.
Results: You’ll be energized by the great outdoors and give your body that shock it needs to kick start results.  This simple yet effective circuit hits the spot!
You’ll need:
1 park (benches are great but not required)
1 set of 3-5lb dumbbells
1 watch/stop watch
Try this workout if you only have 20 minutes a day!
Workout:
1. Warm up with a walk/jog for 5-10 minutes.
Depending on the weight of your dumbbells and your fitness level, either pump your arms as you jog or alternate pumping your arms with holding the weights at your side while you walk to give your arms a short break.
2. 20-30 walking lunges.
Check your form: Begin standing and take a big step forward with your right foot as you bend both knees to lower your body straight down. You should be creating two 90 degree angles with your knees when you lunge, without leaning forward. Hold your core in tightly before pushing up through the back toe and front heel and stepping your left foot forward to walk forward and repeat.

3. Walk/jog for 2 minutes.
4. 15-20 pushups on a bench or on the ground.
5. Walk/jog for 2 minutes.
6. 15-20 squats with a shoulder press.
Check your form: For the squat portion, squat down sitting back like you’re about to sit on a low chair. Your knees should not pass in front of your toes. Squeeze your glutes on the way up. For the shoulder press, begin with weights at shoulder level, press the weights up and together overhead as you raise up from the squat, as you lower into your squat, bring the weights back to nose level.
7.  Walk/jog for 2 minutes.
8.  40-50 bicep curls standing in place, alternating arms. (Too easy for you? challenge your core and stand on one foot!)
Check your form: Keep your elbows at your sides. Start with arms fully extended by your sides, squeeze biceps and raise the weights towards your shoulders, lower to starting position, repeat.
9. Walk/jog for 2 minutes.
10. 15-20 tricep dips.
Check your form: Place your hands on the bench just outside the width of your body, lower yourself by bending your elbows, then press up squeezing through your triceps. Depending on your strength level, legs can be bent at 90 degrees, sent straight out in front of you, or in either position with one leg lifted off the ground.
What’s your favorite post-workout snack?

11.Walk/jog for 2 minutes.
12. 15-20 sit ups or crunches.
Check your form: Interlace your fingers underneath the base of your head to protect your neck, keeping your elbows wide out to the side.  Focus on contracting the abdominal muscles as you rise to either a crunch or a full sit up.
This workout is great for any fitness level, if you’re advanced, or are ready to take on a greater challenge, increase the weight of your dumbbells, add more repetitions or add a minute of sprinting to the cardio interval.








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