Chances are that when you go to the beach, most of the people are there to relax, soak up some sun and spend some time lying around. When most people are at the beach exercise is probably the last thing that they are thinking about. However, it can provide an excellent place to get some activity which can lead to some fun calorie burning activities. One can use the beach to get away from the artificial lighting and air conditioning that is recirculated and enjoy the fresh air as a break. Many fitness holidays use the beach in their program for that reason.
We will look at some of the advantages of working out at the beach:
The water - The water at the beach can offer a way to add resistance to your body in ways that are difficult to get elsewhere. For example, when one is running in water, the water offers resistance to the feet first, as you get into deeper water there is resistance to the entire legs, and then the entire body. A treadmill in the gym cannot mimic this type of movement.
The water of course also ads swimming to the activities that can be done at the beach. Again this is something that is not offered at most gyms. If the gym does offer it is will be away from where you would be typically exercising. Being that the beach has the water right there, it is possible to add swimming to circuit training.
Sand on the shore - There will usually be two types of surfaces the sand provides. It will be packed where the tide comes in near the water. This is where you can do exercises that require balance.
There will be a softer surface the farther away from the water you get. The soft surface offers several benefits. It is good for walking or running as it will be easier on the joints. The soft sand absorbs energy. For this reason it will require more work if you choose to add jumping or running to your activity at the beach. If you usually require mats for exercises, such as situps or pushups, you can do them in the soft sand without hurting your joints.
It is easy to mark off distances in the sand. Using lines drawn in the sand, we can use them for shuttle runs. There can be a variety of activities you can add to your workouts at the beach. If you do circuit training, it is easy to design a bodyweight exercise circuit while you are at the beach that will include things that you cannot get at a gym, or at home.
You can get the family involved. Usually your family will be with you at the beach. This does not mean having the entire family doing pushups and jumping jacks. But, there are activities that are fun for the whole family that will get them on their feet and active. To get the family involved bring a frisbee, volleyball, or a football. After all, the reason families go to the beach is to have fun.
The beach also offers a distraction. Usually for safety, I would say stay focused and don't get distracted. However, there are times when a little distraction while doing some endurance exercise, such as jogging, will allow us to take our minds off the exercise and the time we have spent doing it. We can enjoy the scenery, breathe in the fresh air, and listen to the ocean while we are doing our activity. Thus, it can seem like the time passes quicker.
Even though working out at the beach may be fun, there are some things to consider when you are thinking about adding some exercise while you're there.
Of course be sure to bring some sunblock. The sun's rays can be strong even if it is cloudy. Make sure it is sunblock that will not wash off from sweat or water from swimming. When swimming, make sure there are lifeguards and be careful of sea life and tides that may carry you out into the ocean. During all exercise make sure to stay hydrated, so bring some water along.
The beach can allow us to try different forms of exercise we may not be used to or cannot do in our daily routine. When you are at the beach the next time, us it as a chance to be active. It can be an excellent place to try something new and different and have a fitness holiday!
We will look at some of the advantages of working out at the beach:
The water - The water at the beach can offer a way to add resistance to your body in ways that are difficult to get elsewhere. For example, when one is running in water, the water offers resistance to the feet first, as you get into deeper water there is resistance to the entire legs, and then the entire body. A treadmill in the gym cannot mimic this type of movement.
The water of course also ads swimming to the activities that can be done at the beach. Again this is something that is not offered at most gyms. If the gym does offer it is will be away from where you would be typically exercising. Being that the beach has the water right there, it is possible to add swimming to circuit training.
Sand on the shore - There will usually be two types of surfaces the sand provides. It will be packed where the tide comes in near the water. This is where you can do exercises that require balance.
There will be a softer surface the farther away from the water you get. The soft surface offers several benefits. It is good for walking or running as it will be easier on the joints. The soft sand absorbs energy. For this reason it will require more work if you choose to add jumping or running to your activity at the beach. If you usually require mats for exercises, such as situps or pushups, you can do them in the soft sand without hurting your joints.
It is easy to mark off distances in the sand. Using lines drawn in the sand, we can use them for shuttle runs. There can be a variety of activities you can add to your workouts at the beach. If you do circuit training, it is easy to design a bodyweight exercise circuit while you are at the beach that will include things that you cannot get at a gym, or at home.
You can get the family involved. Usually your family will be with you at the beach. This does not mean having the entire family doing pushups and jumping jacks. But, there are activities that are fun for the whole family that will get them on their feet and active. To get the family involved bring a frisbee, volleyball, or a football. After all, the reason families go to the beach is to have fun.
The beach also offers a distraction. Usually for safety, I would say stay focused and don't get distracted. However, there are times when a little distraction while doing some endurance exercise, such as jogging, will allow us to take our minds off the exercise and the time we have spent doing it. We can enjoy the scenery, breathe in the fresh air, and listen to the ocean while we are doing our activity. Thus, it can seem like the time passes quicker.
Even though working out at the beach may be fun, there are some things to consider when you are thinking about adding some exercise while you're there.
Of course be sure to bring some sunblock. The sun's rays can be strong even if it is cloudy. Make sure it is sunblock that will not wash off from sweat or water from swimming. When swimming, make sure there are lifeguards and be careful of sea life and tides that may carry you out into the ocean. During all exercise make sure to stay hydrated, so bring some water along.
The beach can allow us to try different forms of exercise we may not be used to or cannot do in our daily routine. When you are at the beach the next time, us it as a chance to be active. It can be an excellent place to try something new and different and have a fitness holiday!