Best Outdoor Workouts for Fall

As the weather starts to cool down, more and more of your workouts will move indoors. Before winter hits and you’re exercising in a gym, studio or at home, take advantage of the crisp fall temperatures and get outside while you can. Here are some of the best outdoor fall workouts and some tips for making the most of them.

Hiking

Fall hikes are great ways to get outside, especially with friends or family. Experience the changing leaves and get a workout at the same time. A brisk hike is a good way to get cardio. If you live near mountains, you’ll get an extra cardio boost from the inclines as well as a strength workout for your legs and glutes.

Trail Runs

The treadmill is great when it’s too hot or cold to run outside, but when the weather is crisp, head outside for a jog. Running along a trail will be quieter than the neighborhood streets or sidewalk, plus you get to be surrounded by the fall foliage. Running outside can be a little more difficult and harder on your joints than a treadmill, so alternate running with walking if you get too sore or tired. You’ll get the cardio benefits of a high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout.

Play Sports

Fall is prime sports season—football, baseball, hockey, and lacrosse all happen in the fall. Join the sports league at the office or find a recreational team to get outside, get moving ,and meet some new people. You can also play pickup games with family, friends, and neighbors. It’s more fun and social than working out solo.

Pick Produce

It’s not a super intense workout, but it is a great way to get moving while getting some fresh, local produce. Try grape picking in California, visit a pumpkin patch, or harvest apples at an orchard. You’ll walk around, reach for produce, and lift bags or baskets. Plus, you’ll have some delicious, healthy, seasonal food when you get home.

Getting outdoors is fun, but you’ll want to make sure you’re staying safe and healthy. Here are some tips for exercising outside in the fall.

Wear Layers

Fall weather can be unpredictable, and temperatures can rise and fall quickly. When exercising outdoors, wear layers and seasonally appropriate clothing. You may be cold when you first leave the house, but you’ll warm up quickly once you get moving, so you’ll want layers you can easily remove. One the flip side, if it’s too cold, you’ll want to have hats and gloves to protect your hands and ears from wind and cold. It’s easy to get overheated or even get hypothermia when exercising in fall, since the temperatures can fluctuate so much.

Use Reflective Gear or Lights

The days are shorter and it gets dark much earlier this time of year, so you don’t have as many daylight hours to exercise. Since it’s not always possible to get out during the daytime, be extra careful while exercising in the dark. Wear clothes and shoes with reflective patches, and use a light if you’re running or biking.