ISO - July 2010 e- Newsletter
Summer is officially here! Maybe you’re taking the summer to relax, to save some
money by getting an extra job or studying up for your next semester. Either way,
it’s easy to lose a good exercise schedule in lieu of a busier summer schedule of
work, BBQs and fun. Exercise is an important element of your summer schedule and
even if you can’t make it to the gym, there are healthy, fun ways to incorporate
your daily dose of exercise into the equation.
People may skip out on their daily exercise due to long to-do lists or simply because
they find the idea of working out to be boring. To most, exercise equates to jogging,
climbing onto random gym equipment or putting in an exercise DVD for 30 minutes
of programmed (and repetitive) abs-firming activity. The fact that it’s summer means
that you should be enjoying physical activity in the sunny weather and what better
way to spend the summer than to explore new areas of exercise that are fun, exciting
and—best of all—don’t seem like exercise at all?! If it doesn’t feel like exercise,
it probably won’t be so hard to continue on a regular schedule. This summer, consider
trying out a new, challenging and active exercise endeavor that burns calories and
not precious summertime.
ISO suggests:
Dancing — You may not think it, but dancing is a great way to burn calories! Depending
on the type of dance, you can raise your heart rate while strengthening bones, building
upper body strength and toning1. Studies have also shown that dancing
can reduce stress and feelings of depression. Grab a friend, find a club and get
dancing. Regardless if you sign up for classes or choose the spontaneous approach,
it will only benefit your health!
Swimming — Swimming is a great cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening exercise.
It works the whole body and doesn’t have the intensity of other exercises that may
cause stress (read: pain) on the body when starting a new (or more intense) fitness
program. The calorie burning potential is estimated to be around 360 in 30 minutes
for a 150 pound person2. And if you’re not into swimming laps, you can
also consider group activities like water polo! Who doesn’t like a good game of
water polo? It will keep you cool, energetic and fit throughout the summer!
Hiking — Fresh air, lots of sunshine and the outdoors as well as a sense of adventure.
It’s walking, taken up a notch!
Ultimate Frisbee — Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact team sport that mixes features
of soccer, basketball, and football. It’s an ultimate workout! If you’d like to
learn more, find a team or read about the history of the sport, check out www.usaultimate.org
for more information! It’s not your father’s game of Frisbee!
Beach volleyball— Planning to take the beach by storm this summer? Replace sleeping
in the sand with a game of volleyball! It’s fun, fast-paced, you can include your
friends and make new ones—a winning combination. About 45 minutes of volleyball
burns about 585 calories3.
Tennis — Tennis was made for summer! The US Open, Wimbledon and all the summer weather
means getting out, finding your local courts and practicing your backhand swing.
One study claims that “people who participate in tennis three hours per week (at
moderately vigorous intensity) cut their risk of death in half from any cause” according
to physician Ralph Paffenbarger of Harvard University School of Public Health4. That’s
a pretty convincing argument to get out the racket.
Just remember, when exercising outside, wear SPF, bring plenty of water and enjoy. A happy (and healthy) summer to all of you from all of us at ISO!
- http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/dancing-your-way-to-better-health
- http://www.workoutsforyou.com/water.htm
- http://www.calorie-counter.net/adipose-tissue/volleyball-burn-fat.htm
- http://www.active.com/tennis/Articles/Five_Benefits_of_Tennis.htm
Stay safe this summer!
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