Get some fresh air while you exercise

There are many ways to get some exercise outdoors. This is especially important now that workouts at gyms, sports clubs, and similar venues have been put on hold due to the coronavirus crisis. If you’re not used to exercising outdoors, you’ll need to figure out what fits your daily routine and fitness level, as well as what you find enjoyable. Here are some suggestions for how you can get moving in the fresh air:

Bike rides

There are plenty of great ways to get some exercise on two wheels—from leisurely, family-friendly rides to more action-packed adventures. You can cover a lot of ground quickly by bike, and often you don’t save much time by taking the car. Use your bike as a mode of transportation when commuting to and from work. It quickly adds up to a lot of miles each week! Take your bike when meeting up with friends or running errands. You can also go for a bike ride on the weekend. Plan a bike route or a destination you’d like to cycle to.

If you're looking for a bit more speed, you can take a high-speed ride on the country roads on your road bike. Or hit the trails on your mountain bike and explore the woods.

On foot

On foot, you can see the beautiful scenery that you can’t reach by car. Walk along lakes, across fields, and through forests. You can easily rack up a lot of steps if you go for walks regularly. Of course, you can also pick up the pace and improve your fitness by going for runs. If you want to keep track of how far you walk in a day, it’s a good idea to use a pedometer—either worn on your wrist or as an app. Set a goal to reach the well-known 10,000 steps a day, or set a goal that’s, say, 1,500 steps higher than what you usually walk in a day. There are plenty of marked routes of various distances, signposted with small signs, that you can follow whether you’re taking a brisk walk or have put on your running gear. For example, you can check if there are so-called “clover trails” in your local area, which are trails of 2.5 km, 5 km, 7.5 km, and 10 km. The Danish Heart Association has also marked 207 “heart trails” spread throughout Denmark.

Outdoor exercise

Of course, you can also do bodyweight exercises outdoors. Move some of the exercises you’re used to doing during group classes at the gym out into the backyard, or take a few breaks during your run to do some squats. For example, if you’re out in the woods, you might find a large rock you can use to add more weight to your squats, or there might be a bench you can use to do push-ups against.

On the water

Have you ever tried canoeing or kayaking? If the answer is no, it’s something you should add to your to-do list. Rent a canoe or kayak this summer and bring your roommate or partner along. You’ll get plenty of fresh air, great experiences on the water, and new athletic challenges.

By Josefine Huusom