When the weather is pleasant enough, the great outdoors provides a great deal of opportunity to get exercise and stay in shape. No matter where you live or what sort of activities you are into, there is something for everyone when it comes to getting outdoor exercise. But are there any particular activities that stand out? 

 

When it comes to outdoor activities, one of the best things you can do is ride a bicycle. Not only does it provide a good workout, but it also is fairly easy to do and does not put a lot of strain on your body. If you don't feel comfortable riding a regular bike, you always have the option of using one of those outdoor elliptical bikes instead.

As far as health benefits go, riding a bicycle is good for your muscles since it is a full-body workout. It is also really good for your heart as well since it gets your blood moving throughout your body. Some studies also suggest that riding a bicycle can also help with weight loss and even improve your mental health.

 

Another activity that gives you a full-body, cardio-intensive workout is swimming. Though this activity is really good for your health, swimming does have a few limiting factors to it. If you can't swim, then you will need to learn how before you can safely attempt this kind of exercise. If you don't have access to an indoor pool, swimming will have to wait until it gets warm enough for outdoor pools to be open again. 

 

If you are ever at a park, this is one activity you will see a lot of people doing. As an exercise and as an activity, running doesn't require any additional equipment beyond a good pair of shoes. However, you need to be able to run for longer periods if you want to get the most out of this exercise. Just like swimming, running requires a great deal of stamina in order to be done effectively.

 

As a sharp contrast to the previous two activities, one of the most relaxing and low effort activities that is great for exercise is just simply walking. Walking is significantly less demanding on your body and that allows you to go further and longer than you would normally be able to run. There is also a lot of health benefits to walking as well, aside from the fact that it is also a very sociable type of activity.

The drawback to walking is that in order to get the most benefit from it you will need to walk frequently and for several miles each time you participate in this activity. It is also a great way to build up stamina for other kinds of exercise as well.

 

It may seem like the same thing as walking, but hiking can often be a much more involved activity. Not only that, but it allows you to get exercise while taking in the beautiful scenery that you may not necessarily see while you are walking around your local park. Hiking trails are available in a variety of difficulties as well, so you can make your hike as easy or as difficult as you want. 

 

When it comes to outdoor exercise, there are endless possibilities for what you can do. What you choose will ultimately depend on what your preferred type of exercise is and what you are physically capable of doing. Choose something that you enjoy and you will have no trouble at all in staying in shape.