Contact: Bev Hillman
Vancouver Personal & Physical Training
PH: 604-948-0709
April, 2005

Taking it Outdoors!
By: Bev Hillman
Vancouver Personal & Physical Training

Have you ever been curious about trying a new activity but for some reason always hesitated? Maybe you couldn’t find a friend or family member to try it with you? Maybe you felt you were not fit enough or skilled enough? Sometimes many people end up not getting active because of road blocks they either create themselves or imagine are there.

Outdoor activities are certainly appealing this time of year so why not take a time-out and allow yourself to try something new and different.

Ocean Kayaking is a great warm-weather choice to try. How difficult can it be? There are a lot of people already doing it. It is accessible throughout the whole Lower Mainland. There are number of companies that provide full kayak programming, which includes: instruction by certified leaders; equipment including boat, paddle, life jacket, etc.; and a group learning environment with others just like you starting from scratch. The instructors will help you to develop competent skills, teach how the equipment can assist you in the activity and hopefully lessen any fears you might have about this new challenge.

From an exercise perspective, kayaking is an excellent aerobic activity that challenges muscles seldom used. Most of the exercise choices we make are based around moving our bodies with the legs (jogging, walking, cycling, etc.), providing minimum stimulus for the upper body. Your arms, shoulders, abdominals, and back all contribute to making the boat move.

In B.C., ocean kayaking trips are offered in many coastal communities. The options are boundless – from as close as Ladner and Granville Island, throughout the Gulf and San Juan Islands. If you are adventurous you can travel down to the Baja in Mexico where many types of kayak tours are available.

Kayaking provides a tremendous opportunity to get some quality physical activity de-stress and get out into nature and explore.

Another option, if you only have an hour – be spontaneous and take your work-out outdoors!

As far as exercise equipment goes, all you will need is appropriate clothing and a good pair of walking or running shoes. Your route should include access to things such as:

Park benches – used for push ups, dips step ups and plyometrics
Staircases – for sprinting up, walking up, leg or calf exercises
Dry grass – for lunges, push ups, abdominals and other mat exercises, sprinting or anaerobic work
Exercise tube – hook it on benches, posts, trees, feet and use as you would indoors

Designing the workout is the fun part. Will you be walking, running, rollerblading or cycling? Will you do all your resistance exercises together or interspersed throughout? Will you repeat any exercises?

Armed with these ideas for your outdoor workout – be creative! Once you head for the great outdoors, your options really are limitless.

Bev Hillman is a local Fitness Consultant and Personal Trainer. She teaches Yoga Flow and Power Yoga classes at the Ladner Leisure Centre. She can be reached at trainwithbev.com or 604-948-0709, or contact her via e-mail at bev@trainwithbev.com.

-30-

Vancouver Personal & Physical Training
Tel. 604-948-0709
info@trainwithbev.com
TrainWithBev.com