DO IT OUTDOORS Get out of the gym and take on the world

Our beautiful country has a lot to offer, with plenty of stunning beaches, gorgeous parks and spectacular bushland. So why do so many of us still exercise indoors? The outdoors has some of the best quality natural training equipment at convenient locations.
If you are thinking about breaking the gym habit and getting outside, there are 4 essentials for overall physical fitness, aerobic fitness, muscular fitness, core stability and flexibility.
Whether you create your own program or get the assistance of a Personal Trainer, having all 4 essentials can help you promote fitness that will last for a life time.
Aerobic fitness is anything that causes you to breathe deeper and faster which maximises the amount of oxygen in your blood. The better your aerobic fitness, the more efficient your heart and lungs are. So if the treadmill just doesn’t cut it anymore switch to some outdoor activities like walking, jogging, bike riding, swimming, water aerobics, stair or hill climbing, and roller-blading.
Muscular fitness is strength (resistance) type exercises. Strength training is any movement that places tension on a muscle that stimulates the laying down of more muscle fibres (myofibrils) therefore increasing the size of the muscle fibres. Strength training burns kilojoules more efficiently and increases the stability and strength of your joints. Outdoor examples include push ups and dips on a park bench, chin ups or pull-ups on bars at the park, and deep squats and lunges on the beach.
Core stability is having strength of the abdominal region (known as your core muscles) that stabilizes the pelvis to prevent injury of the lower back. Sit ups and crunches are not an effective means to train the abdominal region as they do not burn fat or stabilize the lower back. Outdoor examples include strength training exercises (see above examples) while contracting your abdominals at the same time. Draw your belly button in and brace your abdominals (like someone is about to punch you in the stomach). Also try some basic plank exercises on your hands or elbows to get you used to drawing that area in.
Flexibility training is a static maximum range of movement available around a joint. Stretching increases your flexibility, promotes better posture, and may help prevent injury. Set aside some time after each workout to do some stretching to maintain flexibility. Outdoor examples include yoga and tai chi at the park or beach and stationary stretching of muscles used during your workout. Use park benches and stairs for assistance. Hold all stretches for at least 20 seconds. Breathe deeply and feel yourself relax, take in some of that outdoor fresh air
Aim for a different outdoor location to mix up your routine. Outdoor activities allow you to progress the level of difficulty easily and change exercises when you want to. Create a circuit style regime such as this; 10 push ups, run up and down stairs, 10 lunges, run fast for 100 m, 10 dips, 10 squats, walk back and repeat.
Turn your car into a mobile gym. Have at the ready some dumbbells, a medicine ball, skipping rope, and a Swiss ball so you can stop at the park and do your own workout.