5 Fun Exercises to Do in the Garden

This is a collaborative post.

If you want to improve your health and fitness without having to go to the gym, then look no further. There are so many exercises you can do in your own back garden, free of charge!

Remember, exercise should be fun. If you don’t enjoy your workouts, chances are you won’t stick to them.

Get creative, involve the family, sell your gym equipment, and make the most of your outdoor space, whatever the weather.

Why Should You Exercise Outdoors?

Outdoor workouts reduce your blood pressure and stress levels. They can also help to boost your mood, as Vitamin D from the sun naturally increases your serotonin levels.

When you exercise in the garden, you should also be able to push yourself harder, as workouts feel less strenuous outdoors. You could even install an area of shade in your garden so that you can use the space during the summer months too.

What’s more, it can be done by yourself or turned into a group activity, such as taking on gel balling as a hobby, which can be a fun yet active hobby to start with friends and family.

5 Fun Exercises to Try in Your Garden

1. HIIT Circuits

High-intensity interval training, known as HIIT, combines short bursts of intense cardiovascular exercise with short rest periods. The idea is to keep your heart rate up to burn body fat quicker.

Here’s how to create your own HIIT circuit workout to do in the garden.

Firstly, choose an upper body exercise such as push-ups or triceps-dips which can be done using a sturdy chair or bench. You could also try lifting some weights, but if you’re new to lifting, be sure to take it slow.

Next, select a lower-body exercise such as walking lunges or squats, and then a compound exercise like mountain climbers or bench hop-overs.

Finally, choose any type of cardio such as running, skipping or stationary cycling for your sprint section.

Make sure you warm up before you begin. Spend one minute on a section, then rest for 30 seconds. Once all four sections are completed, rest for one minute and then repeat twice more.

2. Video Workouts

There are thousands of workouts online for you to enjoy at home too. Video workouts are often free, require little to no equipment and will help you stay motivated when exercising at home.

If you have access to a smartphone or tablet, why not take your workout outdoors on a sunny day? Like we mentioned earlier, exercising outdoors can make your workout more effective.

If your garden lacks privacy or attracts too much sun to exercise comfortably, a shade sail could be a useful addition to your outdoor space.

Whether you prefer energetic aerobic workouts, laidback yoga or resistance training, there is an online workout for you. Find inspiration on Instagram and Youtube.

3. Badminton

Badminton is a racquet sport which involves hitting a shuttlecock across a net. You can play singles (one person either side) or doubles (two people either side).

Badminton is a great sport to play in your garden as it doesn’t require too much space and is safe to play around nearby windows. As shuttlecocks are lightweight, you should play on a day with little breeze.

Badminton offers a great all-round workout as you use a range of muscles when moving around quickly and reaching for shots. Play regularly to increase your overall cardiovascular fitness, while toning your calves, glutes, core and arms.

4. Trampolining

Yes, you read that right. Trampolining is a great form of exercise and not just for kids!

In fact, jumping classes are becoming increasingly popular in gyms. Not only is trampolining tonnes of fun, as a low-impact antigravity workout it is also easier on your joints than running.

Mini-trampolines, known as rebounders, tend to be most popular with adults looking to improve their fitness, as they are lower to the ground and more stable. Either way, trampolining is a great way to tone your legs and stomach, as you will need to engage your core muscles to stay balanced.

Plus, you only need to devote around 20 minutes a day to see results.

5. Family Games

As we stated at the beginning, your exercise routine should be fun, not a chore. This means something different for everyone.

You may have a favourite form of exercise that you like to stick to or you might prefer to mix it up. For many, the most effective forms of exercise are the ones that don’t even feel like a workout.

Involve the kids and get creative with some back garden games. Think obstacle courses, competitions to score the most goals or baskets, or even recreate your own sports day.

Try a skipping race, relay, or even a tug of war with your neighbours! Fun sports games are suitable for all ages and will inspire all family members to get moving. Enjoy!

What is your favourite way to get moving in your garden?

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