With gyms shut down, personal training sessions canceled, and group workouts put on pause, 2020 has been hard on our mental and physical health. But that does not mean you need to quit on your fitness goals. Whether your weight loss journey has just begun or you’re a long-time fitness fanatic, there are things you can do, even outside the gym, to help stay in shape and keep healthy.
Let’s check out a few of the best non-gym workouts you need to try.
Take the elliptical outdoors
One of the common objections to working outdoor workouts outside the gym is that they are overly-hard on your muscles and joints. Shooting hoops, playing tennis, and jogging are all fun activities, but taxing on joints and tendons, no matter your age or fitness level. Even pro athletes feel the wear and tear from high-impact workouts.
For many folks, chronic pain and recurring injury make some outdoor activities impossible. The good news is that several low-impact workout methods do the job without the risk of getting hurt or aggravating old injuries.
The American Sports and Fitness Association defines low-impact exercise as “anything easy on the joints or gentle and in a fluid motion.”
Sounds great, but not everyone has access to a pool, and walking around the block doesn’t exactly burn a ton of calories.
But low-impact does not have to mean low intensity. You can still get your body into fat-burning mode while keeping that heart rate high. You just need the right tools. The elliptical machine is a great low impact workout and the world’s first outdoor elliptical.
These sleek human-powered vehicles are unlike anything you’ve seen before and provide a fantastic low impact, full-body workout that you’ve been missing at the gym. Users describe the outdoor elliptical experience as ‘running on air,’ and you can burn up to 1000 calories an hour.
Here are just a few benefits of the StreetStrider outdoor elliptical:
- Unlike stationary elliptical machines that weigh 100+ pounds and take up tons of space, the StreetStrider is low-profile and even folds up for easy storage and transportation.
- You’re exercising outdoors, and studies have shown that outdoor exercise makes you feel more revitalized, have increased energy levels, and feel more satisfied.
- It can be transformed into stationary ellipticals with the indoor stand, so if the weather is bad outside, you can still get a workout indoors.
- Lean-to-Steer technology makes navigation intuitive and fun, like skiing down the street!
- Multiple gears let you pick your resistance level, and you can even climb up hills.
- Adjustable arm levers and long foot platforms deliver a comfortable and smooth ride.
- You can customize with bags, racks, bells, and even child carrier seats so your child or dog can come along for the ride.
As you can see, these are one-of-a-kind machines, and it’s no surprise that the waitlist is growing just to get your hands on one.
It’s worth browsing the StreetStrider site to learn about the incredible technology behind the product and to read a few of the life-changing testimonials from real customers. Demand is at all-time highs, so get moving!
Workout videos
At-home workout routines have been big since Richard Simmons was Sweatin’ to the Oldies on VHS. Since then, things have come a long way. Today, fitness enthusiasts can boot up a limitless variety of workout videos from any web-connected device. Your personal trainer is now right in your pocket.
Guided workout sessions can be highly effective. The downside is that, for some, video-based workouts can get boring. The key to avoiding boredom in your fitness routine is to simply mix things up. And what better way to spice up your workout regimen than by dancing your way to better health.
Body FX is the industry standard for dance-based workouts, and their comprehensive website has everything you need to get moving and grooving toward a better physique.
Take a second to check out their wide selection of high-octane routines that will put your cardio, balance, and rhythm to the test.
The best part is that you can download these workouts to your tablet or phone, allowing you to bring the dance party wherever you want!
Whether you’re at the beach or in your living room, these routines can be done anywhere, and you’ll feel fantastic breaking a sweat outdoors.
The next best thing
Rowing is one of the best low-impact exercises you can do. It burns calories, builds muscle, flexibility and more.
According to top research, rowing engages a whopping 86% of the body’s muscle groups, compared to 44% activated by cycling.
The problem for many, though, is that either real rowing is too inconvenient or that machine-based rowing is too boring—this is where Hydrow comes in. With its tech-packed rowing machine, Hydrow gives you all the fun of being on the water with all the convenience of working out from home.
Featuring a bright 22” HD touchscreen, you can keep close track of your output in freestyle mode or follow along with exclusive workouts from professional instructors. The Hydrow videos are constantly being updated and refined and will help you sharpen up your technique to achieve peak performance.
Even if you are an avid summertime rower, this product will ensure that you stay at the top of your game year-round, no matter the weather.
The right gear
No matter how you decide to exercise in the sun, you’re going to want to sport some sweet athletic gear to look great while you put in work!
The best tees, tanks, and shorts can boost your performance and even turn some heads.
We all know about that illustrious women’s fitness clothing brand, but what about the guys?
Willy California is making a name for themselves as the premier producer of men’s athleisure and sportswear.
The moisture-wicking materials are built to last, and the fits don’t look baggy or overly tight like so many other brands.
Plus, their products come in trendy colors that match your sophisticated style and won’t appear out-of-place in your wardrobe.
Willy California also carries a few formal pieces like polos and long-sleeve collared shirts that transition you effortlessly from the golf course to the lounge.
Everyone is raving about this athleisure powerhouse, and we won’t be surprised when it becomes a household name before long.
The brand is definitely worth following on social media as they build out their product line with new styles and colors.
With these huge leaps in outdoor workout technology and the wide array of valuable info at your disposal, you’re officially out of excuses to get back into shape ASAP!
The fitness clubs may be closed, but the great outdoors awaits. Nature is your playground, and with the right tools in hand, you can make some major progress with a bit of hard work.
Remember, workouts outside the gym can yield transformative results, as long as you stick to the program and live a well-rounded lifestyle.