Enjoy Exercising Outdoors

By Michael Robertson for Messenger-Inquirer

Finally – spring is here! The days are getting longer, and eventually, the "nice" weather will be more consistent, so why not take your workout outside? Sure, having a gym membership has its benefits, but if you want to take your workouts outdoors to take advantage of the more excellent weather, look no further!

First off, we can state the obvious. Owensboro has several areas with walking tracks/trails, basketball goals, tennis courts, frisbee golf, and massive playgrounds for the kids.

Some even have fitness equipment you can use, too – which mimics several pieces of machines at local gyms. On the tracks/trails, you can walk, jog, ride a bike, etc., all of which can apply to all levels of fitness. This could also be used as a time to be with your family more. Doing things like this with your kids is beneficial for their health, but it is also important to show them that physical activity can be fun. Some of my favorite childhood memories were going to the parks with my family and friends and having a blast! Although I never want to turn anyone away from getting a gym membership, remember that these parks are free and open to the public, so that can definitely save you some money!

As I mentioned above, Owensboro has a variety of options for this. We have some of the most excellent parks around – Legion Park, Moreland Park, Jack C Fisher Park, and Horse Fork Creek, just to name a few. They all have exceptional playgrounds for kids to run, climb, and jump on – all with a safe atmosphere. Over the past few years, several have added spray parks that will be open in the summer when it is hot. The Greenbelt is one of my favorites as well, with several entries for access across town.

It runs approximately 17 total miles, with several parking spots for access – even at Jack Fisher and Horse Fork Creek Park. You can run, jog, walk, bike, etc., with the track wide enough for people to easily navigate one another. For a complete map of the Greenbelt, visit daviessky.org/greenbelt.

Exercising outdoors provides everyone a great opportunity to be active in an ever-changing environment. Walking, hiking, or running on different terrain teaches the body to adapt to a different environment every single time. Hills and slightly unstable surfaces create a challenge and can enhance body awareness and strengthen your connective tissue, which could help you avoid specific injuries.

Remember to be safe when participating in some of these by doing things you feel comfortable doing. Also, during spring, you will have some chances of competing against the wind. Although this may be annoying, remember that wind could act as a natural resistance to burn a little extra calories. I compare this to exercising in a pool – no matter which direction you move, there will always be resistance to whatever you do. This also leads me to the next idea – swimming! Not only is it nice to get out and enjoy a relaxing day by the pool, you can always turn a pool into an exercise session. So, you can basically get the best of both worlds! Always try to remember that you may want to pack an extra layer of clothing on the cooler days or have rain gear ready on the wet ones! Just make sure to bring layers that are easy to get on and off so it doesn't make your workout routine too harsh of a task to complete.

All in all, being outside is a great way to be active. It's true when they say, "The world is your playground," so take advantage of it! You will love the outcome!

Michael Robertson has 15 years of experience on the Fitness Staff at the Owensboro Health Healthpark.