Exercise and spending time outdoors are fundamental to good health, with the potential to improve energy levels, sleep, mood, and overall well-being. This summer, combine the two by taking your workouts outside. Here are four activities you can do at your local park. 

How Can You Work Out in the Park? 

1. Park Bench Dips 

Work your triceps by doing dips on a park bench. Face outwards from the bench and keep your knees at a 90-degree angle with your spine parallel to the backrest. Keep your arms straight, extended behind you, and dip down until your arms are parallel to the ground. Return to the starting position, maintaining a straight back and tight core, and repeat. To make this move more challenging, incorporate a kick. 

2. Monkey Bar Pull-Ups

Monkey bars are an excellent substitute for a pull-up bar and can be used in the same way by pulling yourself up from the ground, relying on your arms, shoulders, and chest. For an extra challenge, swing back and forth, moving along the bar set. 

3. Yoga 

You can do a yoga session anywhere, including a park or open field. Simply lay your yoga mat on the grass. Some of the best poses to do outdoors include the airplane pose, high crescent lunge, tree pose, and standing split. You can also use a park bench to support poses like the standing half pigeon, warrior one, and deep shoulder and spinal stretch. 

4. Step-Ups 

Step-ups work your legs and glutes. To do a forward-facing step-up, use your heel to push up one leg at a time onto the bench until you’re standing on top with both feet. Then, lower one leg at a time and repeat. 

You can also do a variation: the side-step. Turn so that you are parallel with the bench. Assume a one-sided squat with one foot on the earth and the other on the bench. Push with both legs until you are standing, using your core to draw the lower leg toward your chest. Lower back into your starting position and repeat. Do 30 seconds to one minute of reps on one side before switching. 

If you’re looking for a local park in Pulaski County, AR, turn to the Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department. This local organization maintains many beautiful ones in the area, as well as fitness centers, and offers many athletic programs. Call (501) 982-4171 to speak with a friendly staff member, or visit the website to learn more about their offerings.