By Sam Jones

Do you love the great outdoors? There are plenty of ways to stay active and healthy while getting some fresh air. If you’re like most people with busy schedules, here are seven great ideas you can incorporate into your day to maintain better health.

1.) HIKING – In the technology age, nothing can be as refreshing and satisfying as going out for a hike. With a good pair of hiking shoes you can take yourself anywhere you want to go. Finding the right pair is a match-making process, as it should be. You will be relying on those shoes for the long haul. As mentioned in REI, you should choose wisely, and consider the importance of appropriate socks, aftermarket insoles, and breaking in your boots before planning that first trip.

2.) BIKING – Going for bike rides can be a quick, convenient, and not to mention great way to surround yourself with nature. For rocky terrain, a good mountain bike with spring based suspension is highly recommended. For city workouts, you might consider a single speed bike for getting lower body and aerobic workouts. If you’re looking online for a great custom bike, check out Brooklyn Bicycle Co. They’ve got a great Buy & Ride program that will ship to a local dealer near you.

3.) INLINE SKATING – Also known as ‘rollerblading’ and popular in the 1980s and 1990s, grab a pair of skates and get moving! As noted by LiveStrong, going rollerblading promotes muscular endurance and can burn 913 calories in a single hour for an average 160 pound individual. It’s further noted to be a low impact exercise on the cardiovascular system because the activity itself promotes a gentle circulatory workout while burning fat.

4.) ROWING – Why use an indoor rowing machine at the gym when you can get out on the lake? At least for when the weather permits, as the movement of rowing exercises the entire body for a great cardio workout. In fact, HarpersBazaar notes that rowing is one of the most efficient exercises for working out all of the muscle groups.

2.) ROCK CLIMBING – Great for isometric and upper body workouts. It’s recommended to search for experienced climbing instructors first before you attempt more expert rock climbing locations. That way you can plan a few rock climbing sessions in advance, learn about the proper safety equipment, and hone your technique. You can find a list of world rock climbing gyms over at Indoorclimbing.com if you’re interested in scheduling regular sessions.

6.) SWIMMING – If you like the water and don’t mind getting wet, swimming is the perfect way to round your outdoor workouts. The cardiovascular benefits, on top of getting a full body workout, is worth adding to a daily or weekly routine. You could do a search for your nearest YMCA or search local Facebook groups if you don’t have a pool at home, or access to a local community lake association.

7.) YOGA – Saving one of the greatest fitness activities for last, since most people might not associate yoga with outdoor fitness. Indeed, this is the case! It is preferable to be outdoors, breathing fresh air, and connecting with nature in its natural environment. Yoga postures help both with isometrics and circulating Qi throughout the body.

It’s often easy to get caught up in the hectic work week. By making sure to keep outdoor fitness as part of your daily or weekly routine, your body will thank you for it!