Exercising In The Park

Answer 1

We took our kids to the park over the weekend. This local park has recently been renovated to include the latest in playground equipment. Not to mention it was brand new and none of it had been vandalized.

One hill had dual slides winding down it. Another area had been carved out to include a giant sand box and accompanying dam holding back water. Even the basic swing-set had been updated to include a huge saucer all our kids could ride simultaneously.

Had such entertainment been around when I was a kid, my mother would have had a difficult time getting me back in the car. No way would I have wanted to leave.

With all these new toys I assumed our kids would run from one area to another while trying out everything in sight. Imagine my surprise when the four of them climbed a small hill made of artificial grass and began rolling down one after another.

They were each laughing and giggling so hard I could barely understand them. I assumed it was a one time adventure down the hill. But I was wrong. They continued going up and down the hill together.

What I noticed is our kids like to stay together. They look out for each other. Had my three oldest immediately run off to the teeter-totter, that would have left our two year old on his own.

Eventually, the made their way around the park to play on the new equipment. But they were mindful of their younger brother and made an effort to include him in everything. That made my day.

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Answer 2

When it comes to working out a lot of us, at least for a first thought, think of the gym. While it is easy to get a good workout in the gym, after all the machines are all lined up just waiting for you, it is by far not the only option. For many of us the gym is not a welcome place to work out it is an unnecessary expense that cannot be sustained by our shrinking monthly budget. If you are living on a limited income, living on one income when you are used to living on two, or you just really need to save right now, paying for a gym membership can be out of reach.

Does this mean you don't get to work out?

Of course it doesn't. That would be ridiculous. You don't need the gym to workout. In the past we have talked about ways to make your workout more social, but not about the outdoors solo. So today we are going to talk about one great public asset that most of us don't take advantage of when it comes to workouts. We're going to talk about ways you can work out in your public parks.

Why the park?

Some of you may be wondering why I choose to talk about public parks as a place to workout. Well the reasons are varied, but the most obvious reason is that it is an asset that almost everyone has access to. Most cities, and almost every county, in the nation have a public park of some kind. In are not all the same but they're all there. During the day most of them relatively safe, and maintained by someone else. This means you can send all your workout time working out.

Running or Walking

Running is a great way to exercise, provided that you take proper precautions to protect your knees and back, but for those you not ready to run a simple power walk more than enough to get your heart pumping this calories melting off. Just be sure to stay on the pathway.

Stairs

If your park has any stairs, even at a gazebo, then you should go ahead and take advantage of them by going up and down a number of times. This is much more fun then a stepper machine, I promise you. Those things are a gentle form of torture.

Play Games

If you play any game that your park offers, you will begin to burn off calories. So go ahead and start shooting hoops, perfect your tennis swing, or anything else they have to offer. You will not only burn calories but also learn new skills and that makes it a double-header.

There you have it, go ahead and exercises for free. After all this month begins the summer. You did not want to be indoors anyway.

Just be sure to take some time out and look at your surroundings. After all when you have access to the wonders if nature and you if you ignore them. Go ahead and enjoy your self. That us part of the joy of this experience. Do not short yourself on that.