the Best Atlanta Personal Trainers suggest some fun fall activities that will keep you fit
Fun Fall Workouts
1. Walk to the park.
Walking in the park with our four legged friend Rocky is a favorite fit fall activity we love. The weather is perfect and you don’t need any additional equipment. Just throw on your favorite tennis shoes and hit the pavement. To burn some additional calories, pack a book bag with a blanket (the additional weight will up your calorie burn), ball and healthy snack/lunch.
Calories burned: approximately 340 (for a 150lb.person on flat terrain)
2. Play Ball
Grab some friends, family or even the family dog and head outdoors for a fun game of flag or touch football. Running around after the pigskin can help you shed up to 500 calories per hour. This will give you a cardio workout like no other, leaving you tired and ready to relax in front of some fall football. After burning yourself out playing the game, you can sit guilt free in front of your TV to cheer on your favorite team.
Calories burned: 520 per hour
3. Rake and jump
Raking and jumping in the leaves was an annual event at our house growing up. Little did I know the beneficial exercise we were all receiving from this exilerating activity. Raking leaves is an excellent upper body workout! The rotating movements of your body engages shoulders, arms, back and core. Just make sure your rotate sides to equal work both sides of the body.
Calories burned: 260 per hour (jumping and re-raking adds additional calorie burn J).
4. Hitch a Ride
Check out your local Chamber of Commerce in your area to find a stable close to you that provides riding lessons. Horseback riding is fun and works muscles you are not use to using. Surprisingly, it burns a great amount of calories and is the perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy nature and this beautiful season.
Calories burned: 470 per hour
5. Take a Hike
One of our favorite things to do in the fall is get up to the mountains and enjoy the scenic view and cool crisp weather the mountain have to offer. The uneven terrain on the hiking trails engages more muscles and causes you body to work harder than walking on a flat surface. The scenery, sounds and scent of fresh air are so beautiful you won’t even notice all the huffing and puffing you’ll be doing.
6. Go Pumpkin Picking
We like to have an annual pumpkin carving contest at our house each October. This year we are adding an active twist to our yearly adventure. We will be packing our crew up to head to the local pumpkin patch. You could spend hours looking for the perfect pumpkin, and while you do you will be putting in several hundred steps around the farm. To add an extra fat burn and strength workout, carry you pumpkin around the patch. Keep the pumpkin close to you body, if you think you’ve found a better one, squat and pick it up and set the other down. Great leg workout!
7. Race the Finish
Fall is a great season for running, and many local running/walking events take place in the fall. One favorite that is dear to our heart is Atlanta’s annual JDRF Walk which donates to helping cure type 1 diabetes (T1D). Brad’s younger brother, Jonathan now 23, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 13 years old. Since then, we have been avid supporters of JDRF. JDRF is now the largest supporter of helping improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating and preventing T1D. This year we will be walking in Centennial Park on October 20th. Go to www.active.com to find a cause you are passionate about and get active!
Calories burned: 460-680 per hour
8. Get Spooked
If fear is the reason behind your increased heart rate, you are not getting the same fat burning exercise as an intense workout. However, add walking, jogging or even better running to your fear and your calorie burn will reach all time highs. There is no better way to jump start this type of high intensity workout than running through a haunted corn maze or haunted house. This is a great way to enjoy the season, get outdoors, and for the thrill seekers get an adrenaline high along with getting physically fit. Walking through the frightful space can burn 150 calories and hour but running (or sprinting) will increase the burn to over 250 calories per hour!
Calories burned: 150-250 per hour
This weekend, pick an activity and try it! Send us a pic of you, your family and/or friends staying fit this fall!
In health and fitness,
Mandy Malool
Certified Atlanta Personal Trainer and Specialist in Nutrition
ISSA–CFT, SFN
adapted from www.sparkpeople.com