16 Great Exercises Seniors Can Do Outside This Spring

Spring is almost here and most seniors know what that means?warmer weather, longer days and the chance to finally get back outside and enjoy some sunshine. There is a lot to love about the spring and during this time of year you can spend more time outdoors soaking up fresh air and getting some much-needed vitamin D.

However, it isn?t just fun to sit outside when the warm weather comes, it is also a great opportunity for seniors to bring their exercise outdoors as well and to get active while they?re outdoors.

While indoor yoga classes and walking on the treadmill are great in the winter, when the weather is nice, why not move your exercise efforts outdoors? Exercising outdoors can lift the spirit, get you some sun exposure, and many people find that when they exercise outdoors they are actually able to workout longer when they are enjoying nice weather.

If you are a senior who is looking to get more active this year, spend more time outdoors and stay healthy all year long?here are some great spring outdoor exercises you can start enjoying.

1. Go on after-dinner or after-school walks with your grandchildren. If you are close enough to visit them in the afternoons, a walk together is a great way to get some exercise and to hear all about their day.
2. Ride your bike along a scenic path. Challenge yourself by trying a new bike path you?ve never tried before. It can be a beautiful way to explore a new area of your community.
3. Sign up for an outdoor yoga class. You may be surprised by how many there are in your community during the spring and summer. Yoga is great for seniors as it helps build muscle strength and flexibility and it can be quite relaxing. Plus, yoga is great for people of all ages.
4. Walk the dog through a park. If you don?t have a dog of your own, but still want to spend time with animals, consider offering to walk dogs in the neighborhood, or volunteering at your local animal shelter.
5. Go to a park with guided hikes. There are many parks, including national parks that offer guided hikes that will bring you through nature. These hikes are not only a great form of exercise, but educational as well.
6. Go to an outdoor pool to swim laps or take a water aerobics class. There are many public pools that have senior-friendly classes as well as open swim options available for when the weather gets morning.
7. Start your mornings with a brisk walk. This will get you up and ready to take on the day and is a great way to get some cardio in in the morning. Plus, if you want to really challenge yourself, you can add light hand weights to get a full-body workout.
8. Play a game of tennis. Find a tennis buddy or sign up for lessons?it is never too late to try something new.
9. Go birdwatching. If you love bird watching, then challenge yourself to get out and go to new locations for all of your bird watching adventures. Typically, getting to the perfect spots requires a bit of hiking and walking and can be a leisurely form of exercise that has a great reward at the end!
10. Take care of your garden. Gardening can be fun and rewarding, but it can also be a great form of exercise as well!
11. Play a game with your grandchildren. If you want to get some exercise, have some fun and make some memories, then consider playing games with your grandchildren. A game of tag can quickly turn into a fun cardio session!
12. Take a walking tour of a city. It can even be your own city! Walking tours are a fun activity for history-buffs and a great way to learn something about a city near you. They are also a great time of exercise as well.
13. Go metal detecting. Live near a beach? Why not get out a metal detector and see what you can find buried in the sand? This is a fun way to act as an explorer and to get some exercise while you do it. Plus, you never know what you will find.
14. Play outdoor yard games with the family. Horseshoes, bags, ring toss, volleyball and badminton are all fun yard games that you can play with the whole family. Get everyone together for some healthy competition and a little exercise when the weather is nice.
15. Go apple picking. If you have never been apple picking before, you may be surprised by how much of a workout it can be! Plus, apple picking is a fun activity that will help you make lasting memories, and leave you with some delicious fresh fruit as well.
16. Go to the driving range. Even if you don?t have the time or energy for a full round of golf?going to the driving range is a great way to get outdoors and to make sure that you are getting some exercise. Plus, many seniors find that it is an excellent stress reliever as well!

Exercising outdoors doesn?t just mean jogging or running. There are a lot of ways to stay fit and be outside. Seniors should focus on getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day to help keep their muscles and their hearts healthy. Working out alone is always great, but working out with a friend, family member or loved one is also a wonderful option.

Most people find that working out with a ?buddy? makes exercising more enjoyable and it keeps them accountable for staying active every day. No matter how you choose to exercise, this spring, motivate yourself to bring your exercise outdoors. There are only great benefits that can come with it!

Author Profile

Lori Thomas

Lori Thomas has decades of experience as a caregiver. Her writing for SeniorAdvice.com is informed by years of research as well as hands-on family experience caring for her now late mother, who had chronic health issues for most of her life. Lori is an integral part of the SeniorAdvice.com management team, acting as Vice President of Marketing and Chief Editor.

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