Hi everyone, welcome to today’s live! I’m very excited to be here with you all. Today, we’ll be discussing
the importance of getting movement outside over the summer and how it can be a nice break from the
monotonous gym routine. It’s been raining like crazy here in Colorado, but hopefully those of you in
Minnesota are enjoying all of your sunshine. I’ve heard it’s already been really hot, so if you’re going to be
sweating anyway, we might as well make it fun and make it work for you!
Summertime is the perfect season to break free from doing all of our workouts indoors and enjoy the
beauty of the great outdoors. It’s a time to get moving, connect with nature, and go on some adventures!
So, why is it not only fun, but important to prioritize outdoor movement during the summer? Great
question that nobody asked.
First and foremost, getting movement outside allows us to soak up some sun and in addition to looking
tan, we also get to absorb that much-needed vitamin D. Good news is if you’re like me and don’t get to be
tan, you still get Vitamin D! Vitamin D is essential for our bone health, immune system and overall well-
being. Plus spending time outdoors can actually boost our mood, reduce stress, and increase our energy
levels. There’s a reason “go get some fresh air” is a legitimate tip a lot of the time.
Another incredible reason to embrace the outdoors is the vast playground that nature provides.
Depending on where you live, you have hiking trails, bike paths, lakes, mountains, and so much more. My
personal favorite is mud. But there’s something for everyone! You can still enhance your physical fitness
the way you do inside, but you also get to stimulate your sense, get in a better mood, and take a break
from your daily routine which likely takes place mostly indoors.
Summer movement is also a great time to make memories with people you love who may not come to the
gym with you. I’m blessed to have a spouse, parents, and friends who love to come to the gym with me.
However, there are a lot of people I love to spend time with who won’t ever come in a CrossFit gym, but
are up for a hike, or some beach volleyball, or a bike ride, even if we’re biking to breweries. These
experiences not only strengthen our relationships – I don’t know if you’ve ever almost died on a backpack
trip with acquaintances, but I have, and let me tell you, you get really close to those people, but they also
promote healthy habits. AND a lot of these experience can be done with your young ones, which models
a healthy lifestyle for your kids. Encouraging them to be active and to spend time outside will help them
develop those habits long term.
Lastly, we can’t overlook the positive impact of outdoor movement on our mental health. I’m sure we have
a handful here who attend some yoga classes during the week; pick up your mat and go do your yoga in
the yard or at a park! Get off the treadmill and do your run or walk along the scenic route. Even if your
workouts will still take place in a gym setting, do your cool down outside and practice some meditation.
Doing your normal movement outside can have a remarkable effect on reducing anxiety, boosting
creativity, and improving our overall mental well-being. So, let’s prioritize our mental health this summer
and make an effort to get outside.
Now that we know why outdoor movement is so important, let’s move on to some practical tips to help
you make the most of the warm months.
Tip #1: Set goals and create a plan. Decide on a few activities you want to try doing outside this summer
– I’d suggest one you already do and one new one. If you swim laps at the indoor pool, give the outdoor
pool a shot and then add in some hiking with the family. If your family goes out for an ice cream night
once a week, ride your bikes there instead of driving, and then try a new outdoor sport like tennis or golf.

Pick your activities and then make a schedule and commit to it. If you struggle committing to things like
this, recruit a buddy and make it a regular appointment.
Tip #2: Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun. I don’t need anyone passing out because they
decided to do their workout on 110-degree pavement instead of their air conditioned gym and they forgot
to drink water. Fill up your water, maybe even pack a second one, apply sunscreen regularly, and wear a
hat and sunglasses when it’s feasible. Safety should always be a priority when enjoying the outdoors.
You’ve got cars, weather, wildlife, lots to think about so take these into consideration, and don’t do yoga
next to a tree during a thunderstorm and then blame me.
Tip #3: Explore local parks and trails. You don’t need to travel very far to find hidden gems near your
home. Get online and research parks and trails nearby, I personally use an app called “All Trails” and you
can pick a trail based on difficulty, proximity, loop vs. out and back, terrain, shade, elevation gain, dog
friendly, bird watching, just about anything you can think of. It’s a great way to discover new places and
connect with your community.
Tip #4: Make it a social affair. I mentioned this a little bit before, but invite friends or family, or even join a
local group or club related to your preferred activity. If you live in an area with a larger population, you can
try the app “meet up” and find people doing any activity you enjoy. Two of my friends met during a flag
football meet up group and now they’re married. Sharing these experiences with others not only adds fun
but also provides accountability and motivation.
Tip #5: Related the tip #1 but it’s so important I’m going to say it again – try something new! Summer is
the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and give something new a try. Not every activity is going
to be the best fit for you. There are SO MANY options! If running on a sidewalk or biking down a mountain
isn’t your thing, give frisbee golf a try, join a kickball league, go hit golf balls at the range, and be okay
with being a beginner and enjoy the process of learning again. As adults, we’re generally pretty nervous
to learn a new physical task. Find a buddy and learn together, I promise you’ll have fun.
Thank you all again for tuning in. Have an amazing summer and I’ll see you outside!