Everyone has a call to adventure. To try something new, step outside the box and take on a challenge. Often you need to travel to get there. To find those special trails, new terrain, and the unexplored. It’s time to make the most of your local trail.
As it’s Earth Day, our friends at Wild West Jerky wanted to encouraged Mudders to: “Step outside of the gym to reignite your passion for fitness, improve your exercise performance and amplify your health.”
Think of the mindset kids have. They have no predefined notion of fitness, they just want to explore. And while they play, their imagination is working. We should all think like a kid.
Many people have a local trail network within 30 minutes of them. These are underutilized areas where you can find varied ways to get a workout in, but also experience nature, which is proven to boost mood, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing. In fact, when you’re on a trail run, get creative and think like a child. It has the power to alter your mindset and the course of your day. One of the best ways to put the “play” and “creativity“ into your outdoor workouts is to bring along a partner or friends to really challenge yourselves and holding each other accountable for that day’s goals.
There are plenty of opportunities to work out on the local trail. You only need to get a little creative and use what is around you.
Your Local Trail Three Things To Look For
- Rocks: Small to medium-sized rocks make great free weights, medicine balls or kettlebells. Large rocks are great for balance. Use them for wall sits and incline push-ups. Larger boulders can often be scrambled on all-fours and occasionally offer good views.
- Fallen logs: Sturdy logs that have fallen near the trail are perfect for toe taps and box jumps
- Trees: Trees can also be great for wall sits. If you find a tree with a sturdy limb within reach, you can use it for pull-ups.
A TMHQ example: start with a jog that leads into a series of long jumps. Then do some bear crawls. If you see a rock and you can pick it up do overhead carries while walking up hill. Get dirty, be creative, Climb, Lift, Carry, Throw, Jump. Get excited about random objects and play as you train. There is so much potential for movement and training in the environment.
Building a supportive community of friends, family, and fellow fitness enthusiasts can help keep you and everyone else get motivated when obstacles get in the way. So grab that partner or group, go get on that trail and have an adventure with Tough Mudder.
