Outdoor Fitness Activities the Whole Family Can Do

An outdoor workout with your family will keep you fit while strengthening your family's bond. It is also a great way to spend quality time together. Outdoor exercise helps boost your mood and confidence, and also challenges your muscles. As the weather changes, and it starts getting cooler outside, consider these activities for the whole family.

Outdoor Fitness Activities the Whole Family Can Do

Yoga
Yoga promotes mindfulness, helps you breathe better, minimizes stress, and corrects your posture. It is also a great way for children to be creative, build their confidence and regulate their emotions. Start your outdoor yoga sessions with a mat and simple pose like that even your child can accomplish. Some simple yoga poses include:

• Frog pose. This pose strengthens the ankles, lengthens the spine and stretches your hips and knees. Squat and bend your knees with hands between your knees. You can clap your hands as you press your knees apart.
• Warrior 3 pose. It’s the perfect way to stabilize knees and ankles and strengthen your back. To do this, stand straight and lean forward slowly with your arms stretched out, then lift one left so that it is parallel to the floor. Make sure you switch your standing legs to exercise both legs.

Tandem Walk
This activity targets your core, quads and ankles and also helps you create balance. You can find a fallen tree or a curb and walk on it, slowly placing one foot in front of the other with your arms raised out to the sides. If you feel unsteady when walking, do it next to a support structure you can hold on to. For the best results, repeat the exercise for at least three minutes.

Walking
Walking is the simplest fitness activity that is productive without being too strenuous. Go for morning or evening walks with your family to improve your cardiovascular health, boost your leg fitness and burn up to 100 calories. For kids, walking in the evening can help them sleep better, as it tires them out. To make your summer camp more interesting, go for hikes and treasure hunts and explore new routes.

Jump Rope
Jumping rope is a fun activity that any member of the family can accomplish outdoors. You only need a jumping rope and you are good to go. The good thing is that if you are on a summer camp with your family, you can easily pack the ropes in your bag as they take the least space.

Side Leap
The side leap is an exercise of the glutes, inner thighs, quads, and calves. To do the side leap, stand on a flat surface, bend your knees, and hop as far as you can to your side, landing on the ball of one foot. Without your other foot touching the ground, bend and repeat the process on the opposite side. Alternate the movements between left and right to give your body a proper workout.

Bring the Family to the Y for More Fitness Opportunities

If you’re looking for more fun ways to stay active with the family, visit any of the Y’s four Southern Nevada locations. We offer a variety of fitness classes, family fun days, indoor and outdoor pools, and much more.