The Top 3 Unexpected Places to Work Out

August 30th, 2010 | Posted in Fitness tips | 1 Comment » | Share this article

Doing strength training is (unfairly) relegated to the gym or the home gym or some place you’ve set aside for workouts. It doesn’t have to be this way! There are tons of other places you can get a workout in, and thanks to resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells, and body-weight training, you don’t need to lug a whole gym along with you!

Check out some of my favorite spots:

On Your Roof

Maybe I should put a disclaimer here — apartment-dwellers only! If you’ve got a flat roof that you have access to (and it’s got high sides so you don’t tumble off), there’s really nothing like a refreshing workout in the sun.

Not only do you get a ton of space to yourself, so you can really spread out, but now, thanks to iPhones and iPods and all the rest, you can take a video-based workout anywhere you want, strapped to your arm.

Grab a few dumbbells or resistance bands and head straight up to the roof on the next sunny day. Bring a mat, too, and a nice big bottle of water. Keep your workout brief enough that you don’t get too drained from being in the straight sun, but enjoy it! And the best benefit? You’ll get tanned, too!

In the Park

People do all sorts of cardio-related stuff in parks, right? So why not take your band and a little exercise outline over to a beautiful green spot, and do your workout there? If you’re feeling a little self conscious at first — don’t! Everyone else in the park is used to seeing people working out — they’re just usually doing it by running long distances.

The idea of doing a bit of strength training among trees and fresh air makes perfect sense, so don’t think anyone is looking at you with a judgemental eye. If anything, they’re probably envious!

At the Office

This is unorthodox, but think of the people who bike long distances into work every day. You can only really do this if you have showers at your office, or if you’re walking/biking/running to work — it’s not fair to everyone else on the bus if you get on all super-sweaty after a workout!

But nevermind all that — the real issue is accepting the fact that you can workout at your workplace, if you’re willing to make a few adjustments. First, you need to be able to find a private room, preferrably one with a lock, so that people looking to stage an impromptu meeting won’t burst in on your training session.

Second, you should keep some equpiment at the job — a towel, a change of clothes, exercise shoes, a mat, and some resistance bands.

But maybe the bigger question is: why even bother doing this at the office? Well, I can give you a few reasons:
- You’ll work better: don’t think a vigorous workout will sap your energy. After you’re done, you’ll be pleasantly surprised — time and again — to find your energy level and focus even higher than it was before. Exercising is also the perfect way to get your brain going during a particularly slow day!
- You’ll keep more time free at home: If you’re able to squeeze in a workout at the office, it’s like having a gym right there — you can treat “home” as 100% home, knowing you’ve already slotted your workout into your working day. For some people, this compartmentalization is fantastic.

It Doesn’t Matter Where You Work Out

In the end, it’s all the same — you need to put the time and effort into getting fit. But just about every other little variable can be adjusted, and new habits and routines can be built up almost anywhere!

Don’t be limited by the gym/home gym! Work out anywhere you feel like it!

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