Full Body Workout in the Park

Excerpt from ComeBackMomma.com. Article by Poppy Marler on 7/23/2013.

There is a reason so many bootcamps and new mom stroller fitness classes meet in local parks. With a little planning and creativity, parks are great places to get a full body workout. Don’t worry, if being yelled at in a group setting is not your thing and you can’t force your 8 year old in a stroller anymore, you can still get a great work-out in the park while your kiddos play. (PS. You don't need a child to go play around in a park. Just make sure there aren't any other children around first...)

The beauty of exercising in the park is you can get a full body work-out using just the playground equipment and the benches. If you would like to step it up a notch you can always bring a mat for abdominal work. 

Warm-Up. Depending on the age of your kids, a game of tag usually makes for a decent warm-up. After 5-10 minutes you can send them to the equipment and you can get started. To really crank up your work-out and maintain an elevated heart rate, do step up on a bench for 60 seconds between each strength set. (If you don't have kids, this step up activity serves as a good warm up as well)

Pull-ups or Monkey Bar Hang. You can use the monkey bars for a mean set of pull-ups if you are able, or you can can position your chin above the bar and hold your body weight just like in gym class as long as you’re able. Repeat.

Modified Push-ups. Use a bench or picnic table for modified push-up. Try 2 sets of 8-12.

Walking lunges around the park perimeter. 2 sets of 15 on each side.

Tricep Dips on a Bench or Low Curb. 2 sets of 10-12.

Cool down with some light stretching and perhaps another pick up game of tag. (Or you could jog around the park too, if it is large enough)

Author Bio: Poppy Marler is a writer, mother of 3, and fitness enthusiast. Her latest project, Facing 40, is a healthy lifestyle blog devoted to fun, fit, and fierce women straddling 40. She might be a mid-pack runner, a back of the pack swimmer, and a reluctant triathlete, but she is fitter at 40 than she was at 20. When not hiding in the back of Zumba class, you can find her on Twitter  Facebook, and Google+.

The full article is also available at ComeBackMomma.com.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Photo credit: Comebackmomma.com