The best workouts are those that feel more like playing than working hard. And you can make your workouts more fun with lightweight, portable gear that you can pack in a backpack and take anywhere.
Exercising outdoors, whether it’s in a park, a beach, or even on your patio, is an amazing way to get the sun and fresh air we so desperately need for a sweat session. It also allows for more space than training indoors or in a crowded gym, allowing for more dynamic movements and speed work.
Here is a list of inexpensive sports accessories and what you can do with each of them.
Camber
Skipping rope is a great exercise to warm up the body and make blood flow.
It’s also a fun way to hug your inner child while doing an amazing workout. Plus, you can get a good jump rope for less than you think. Use it for five minutes of cardio before your workout or skip the rope at intervals as part of a HIIT session.
Agility ladder
An agility ladder, essentially a rope ladder that lies on the ground, keeps you alert, moves you quickly, and helps you increase your speed and, well, agility. Don’t worry if you stumble a bit! Just laugh and keep going.
Resistance bands
Resistance bands are the best equipment for exercising anywhere. Look for the ones that come in packages of a variety of resistors.
The lighter ones are great for the shoulders, the means are perfect for beginners who work the larger muscle groups or exercises for the inner and outer thighs, and the heavier ones are ideal for those who are a little stronger or are looking get stronger and work bigger muscles groups.
Parachute for running
A parachute is an excellent training device for endurance, muscular endurance, and acceleration. Using the parachute can help you perform fun and challenging drag races. The faster you run, the more resistance you will feel.
Cones
The cones are great for agility drills and are super portable. Perform exercises that make you zigzag and twist to strengthen your mind-body connection and add a little play to your routine.
Resistance ties
Closed resistance bands are small, a perfect tool for on-the-go training, and can be a lot of fun if you add a danceable playlist to the routine. As with resistance bands, I recommend getting ties of different strengths.
