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You Don't Need A Gym Membership To Get Fit! Get Fit Outdoors Today.

Do you really need a gym membership to stay fit? Definitely not, says John Colver, founder of outdoor fitness company adventX. If you hate commuting to the gym after commuting to work, or a gym membership is too expensive, you can still get fit by transforming your community into your gym. Working out outdoors is the easiest way to stay healthy: it doesn't require a membership, it's always easy to access, and it's full of adventure. Create your natural, sustainable fitness plan using these eight tips and Colver's book, Fit by Nature.

1. The neighborhood is your playground. Turn picnic tables, paved paths, park stairs, grassy fields, local beaches, or inspiring viewpoints into your personal gym. Your exercise routine doesn't have to be separate from the rest of your life when you workout outdoors. That idea is actually relatively modern -- and false. As you live in your gym, you can breathe the cold air, shower in the rain, or catch some sunshine after a long day at work.
   
   
2. Don't let the weather stop you. So the winters in New York are nasty, or the summer heat in the Midwest saps your strength -- it's easy to adapt your exercise program to your environment for an outdoor workout. Run up and down the stairs in your apartment building or do jumping jacks in your living room. Swim laps at the local pool. Or ...
   
   
3. Dress for the occasion. Layer up, says Colver. Make sure the clothes closest to your skin are made of wicking material, not cotton, so your sweat will evaporate. Bring an insulated layer if it's early morning or late evening: light nylon, wool, or fleece will prevent chill. And if you expect rain, wind, or snow, bring a light Gore-tex jacket with "pit zips" to keep air moving.
   
   
4. Stay safe. Working out outdoors means working hard to stay warm and dry. It also means telling someone if you're going out alone or finding a partner to share your workouts. If it's getting dark, wear a reflector vest or bring a flashlight.
   
   
5. Balance your routine. It's easy to get bored of the treadmill at the gym. Plus, some of that exercise equipment can be intimidating. But working out outdoors, it's simple to vary your routine with long runs around the lake, intense bursts up and down the stairs, and jump-rope cross training. Colver's fitness philosophy is all about cycling through different exercises to avoid burnout.
   
   
6. Challenge yourself. Bring along a sports watch so you can keep track of your times and your progress.
   
   
7. Hydrate. Colver encourages outdoor enthusiasts to drink up before, after, and during the workout schedule. Drink 20 oz of fluids two hours before your workout, then drink 6 - 12 oz every 20 minutes while you're exercising. Follow up with 20 oz of water to rehydrate.
   
   
8. Restore. Pick one day a week to relax. Take a brisk walk, stretch in a grassy meadow at the park, or find a yoga class at your community center. Don't overtrain, but take advantage of the varied landscape in your neighborhood to renew your body.

Ultimately, working out outdoors is all about finding freedom in your physical training. Instead of breathing the stale air of a gym, or staring at more walls while you walk on the treadmill after a long day of being inside at work, take advantage of the natural environment around you while staying healthy and fit working out outdoors.

-- Adapted from Fit By Nature: The adventX Twelve-Week Outdoor Fitness Program by John Colver, published by The Mountaineers Books, $24.95 paperback

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