outdoor workouts

“Protect the Places We Play” with Clif Bar

September 17, 2012 at 9:21 am
By FITNESS Intern

By Deanna Cioppa, editorial intern

There’s a lot to love about the great outdoors – the fresh air, gorgeous scenery, and the chance to connect with something bigger than us.  Nature gives us a lot, and the more vulnerable our environment becomes, the more we need to give back. For the second year, CLIF® Bar is providing a way to do that.

The 2012 CLIF Bar Meet the Moment campaign is a unique way to share what you love about the outdoors while helping to protect it. At MeetheMoment.com, visitors can upload photos and descriptions of their favorite outdoor memories – whether it was a particular obstacle you overcame, a family adventure, or just a moment of Zen. Every time you post a moment, select from one of five charities to which CLIF Bar will donate $5 – up to $100,000 total.

That’s not all. Share or “Like” a moment on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest, and the company donates an additional $1. CLIF will choose the top moment from a list of the 25 most shared/liked by October 31, and an additional donation of $10,000 will be made in the winner’s name to the charity he or she chooses. The grand prize winner will also be treated to a year’s supply of CLIF Bars!

This year, the non-profits to benefit include the Access Fund, which focuses on conservation of climbing lands; the International Mountain Biking Association; Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, an outdoor ethics advocate; the Surfrider Foundation, dedicated to protecting oceans; and the Winter Wildlands Alliance, which works to protect “winter ecosystems” and encourage outdoor winter activities.

To date, the 2012 CLIF Bar Meet the Moment campaign has raised $14,601. There’s a long way to go until October 31, so start sharing your favorite moments and help protect the lands we love.

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Explore the National Parks for Free on Saturday!

June 6, 2012 at 12:10 pm
By Karla Walsh

Here’s advice you don’t often hear from us at FITNESS: skip the gym. That’s right, we’re giving you permission to erase your name from the treadmill list or take a day off from your exercise class because this Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day!

As part of Let’s Move Outside, included in First Lady Michelle Obama’s health intiative, Saturday, June 9 has been designated as a day to promote healthy activities in the great outdoors. One of our favorite nature-filled ways to stay fit? Hiking! Not only will the average 140-pound woman burn 384 calories on the trails, but she’ll also tone her lower body and will be able to take in some breathtaking views and fresh air.

For Get Outdoors Day, you can try hiking out yourself and explore your national parks for free this Saturday (learn more about fee-free day here). Before you go, download the Happy Trails guide—which is also free—to find 25 can’t-miss hikes across the country. Maybe you can check one off your list this weekend!

If you enjoy yourself and want to support these beautiful parks, click here to find out how to do so. And for more about hiking, don’t miss our July/August issue, which hits newsstands on June 26!

Now tell us: What are your favorite ways to exercise outside?

More from FITNESS:

• Slim Without the Gym: Sculpting Moves for Your Fitness Type
• Cool New Hiking and Running Sneakers
• How Do I Avoid Altitude Sickness When I Hike?

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Why You Should Take a Recess—Regardless of Your Age!

April 12, 2012 at 11:56 am
By Karla Walsh

Do you hear the recess bell ringing? Take notice: It’s not just for the kids! Sportswear company KEEN is on a mission to encourage companies to jump on the break bandwagon. Why? Because it just makes sense (and cents)!

Check out these facts:

• 62% of employees who don’t take regular breaks
• 40% increase in premature death risk for those who commonly experience bouts of prolonged sitting
• Each 2 hour increase in work time sitting has been linked to a 5% increase in obesity and a 7% increase in Type 2 diabetes
• More than 1/10 of American healthcare costs can be attributed to inactivity
• 44% of adults would participate in recess, if offered at their workplace (count all of us in!)
• Employers get about $2 back for every $1 spent implementing a paid recess break program

Source: Methodology for the Recess Revolution Toolkit, research performed by UCLA School of Public Health

That’s why KEEN has declared that “Recess is Back.” They want employers across the country to offer 10-minute breaks for workers to step outside, breathe fresh air and simply play. Research has proven that these paid recess breaks increase productivity and morale and decrease absenteeism and medical costs. If you forget what to do during recess, check out some of their awesome activity ideas on the very Pin-able recess.keenfootwear.com!

Now tell us: What would your ideal workday recess include?

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We Tried It: Camp David Outdoor Boot Camp Class

July 19, 2011 at 12:08 pm
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Theresa K. Brady, editorial intern

After one day at Camp David, you’re sure to LookBetterNaked —the mantra of DavidBartonGym. The free (yes, free!) boot camp class offered by the gym is designed to burn fat and build muscle through intense cardio drills, agility training and core strengthening moves. But this class is for you, even if you’re not a gym junkie—it’s entirely outdoors! Last Tuesday, I made my way to the gym’s Uptown location in New York City to experience the Camp David for myself.

Wasting no time, trainer Carlos Frias started the class with a brisk jog to the Great Lawn in Central Park. He led our group of 12 to a small picnic area where we completed sets of lunges and cardio drills. Although the drills were simple like running in place and jumping jacks, we all were dripping sweat! After finishing loads of squats, it was time to work our upper bodies.

Using picnic tables, we performed multiple reps of push-ups and triceps dips. (Frias made sure to help each person individually with this section to prevent any injuries.) We ended the class with a light jog, some stretching and a short walk back to the gym.

The best part? All the positive reinforcement! Frias is all about making his recruits feel great about the hard work they put into the class. “There you go” and “that’s right” seem to be his personal mantras.

Camp David is great for people of all ages and fitness levels. The best part? You don’t have to be a member of the gym to attend. Camp David classes are offered at the DavidBartonGym New York City Uptown, Miami and Seattle locations until September 1. Find out more at DavidBartonGym.com!

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Fitness Guru Jake Steinfeld Teams up with Coca-Cola to Make Parks Healthier

July 6, 2011 at 9:44 am
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Alexa Cortese, Web Intern

When the weather cooperates, there’s nothing like going to the park for an outdoor workout . Last week, The National Park Foundation and Coca-Cola launched “America Is Your Park” to make getting fit outdoors even easier. The campaign, which is taking place for the second year in a row, will award a $100,000 recreation grant to a local park that receives the most votes at LivePositively.com

We spoke with fitness guru Jake “Body by Jake” Steinfeld about his involvement in the campaign and L. Celeste Bottorff, Vice President, Living Well, Coca-Cola North America, to find out how you can get involved in this fun project.

How did you first get involved in the “America is Your Park” campaign?

Jake Steinfeld: I have been in the fitness business for 30 years and I’ve been urging folks to get outside and be active and have fun!  So when I learned about “America Is Your Park,” I knew I wanted to be involved. “America Is Your Park” is giving people the opportunity to give their favorite park a facelift and continue to be a “go to” place for families to get outdoors and play.  I’m thrilled to be part of such a great initiative.

How do you think parks can help Americans to have a better quality of life?

JS: Parks offer us endless opportunities to be active, whether it’s throwing a Frisbee with your kids, biking, kayaking, jogging, or just playing a game of touch football with your buddies.  The recreation grant that Coke is giving will help restore and rebuild parks by funding new equipment, building new activity areas and more.  This program helps ensure that parks continue to be a place everyone will want to play and be active.

What kinds of activities do you hope to see people integrating into their lives as a result of the campaign?

JS: I’m hoping the awareness raised through America Is Your Park will remind people that parks are not only a place to be active, but a great source of fun.  People can make simple steps to enjoy the outdoors, like park their car farther and walk more, take their kids in the backyard instead of watching TV, go for family bike rides.  Or if people are looking for more adventure, there are great parks in almost every town or city that can provide opportunities for kayaking, rock-climbing or trail running. You just need to get out there and find out what works best for you and your family.

What are some of your favorite outdoor activities, and what advice do you have for people who want to become more active?

JS: I really like playing basketball, and love getting outdoors with my family.  Most mornings I go kayaking with my kids, and we go on bike rides all the time.  And soon we are heading to Nantucket for a family vacation and I know we will be outdoors a lot!

My advice to people who want to become more active outdoors is to find activities you truly enjoy and are passionate about – and do them with friends and family who’ll keep you motivated.  If you love running, join a running club or start running with a buddy; if you and your family love the water, try a weekly kayaking outing at the park.  The more enjoyable it is, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Last year’s winner of America Is Your Park was Bear Head Lake State Park in Minnesota.  What has that park done with the money, and how has it improved since winning?

Celeste Bottorff: The grant is being used on long overdue improvement projects including building a warming hut to ensure safety and comfort for winter sports enthusiasts all season long.

What kinds of activities do you believe parks should provide to give people opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles while having fun at the same time?

CB: What we at Coca-Cola love so much about our nation’s parks is that the activity opportunities are endless.  People of all ages, families, couples and individuals can all use parks to create their own active fun.  It’s organizations like The National Park Foundation, America’s State Parks, and National Recreation and Park Association that ensure we have what we need to do these activities – jungle gyms, sand boxes, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, walking trails, etc. Our aim with America Is Your Park is to help restore and rebuild these outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy during a time where funding is declining.

Tell us: Do you have a favorite park? (Make sure to vote for it at LivePositively.com! Voting ends September 6, 2011.) How do you get fit outdoors?

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