5 Outdoor Exercises That Aren’t Running 

Capital Bikeshare across from Katzen Art Center

It’s that time of year again: say goodbye to the freezing temperatures, puffy jackets and sweatpants and say hello to gym shorts, muscle-t’s and sunshine!! After a long hibernation it can be hard to leave the nice weather and go workout in the gym, so here’s five ways to take your workout outside in the sun!

 

USE AN OUTDOOR GYM

Outdoor gyms are a great way to mix up your workout. In Rock Creek Park, next to the Cleveland Park exit, there’s a series of stations that look like playground equipment, with instructions on how to use them for your workout. Take a friend and think of it like going to a playground for grown-ups!


RENT A BIKE AND EXPLORE

Capital Bikeshare makes it easy to bike all over D.C. since the bikes can be rented and returned to stations all over the city. Nervous about biking in traffic? Take a bike down to Rock Creek Park, around the monuments or across the bridge to the Mount Vernon trail in Arlington! 

 

BODY WEIGHT EXERCISES: THEY CAN GO ANYWHERE YOU CAN!

The great thing about body weight exercises is that the only piece of equipment they require is you. Mix it up with squats, inchworms, jumping drills, push-ups, burpees, an abs circuit, bear crawls, or anything else you can think of!

 

Kayaking on the Potomac

HIT THE WATER IN A KAYAK OR PADDLE BOARD

The Key Bridge Boat House in Georgetown opened April 15 and offers a generous student discount. Rent a kayak or paddle board and paddle up towards the monuments, or around the river for a break from the city!

CHECK OUT ALL THE HIKING TRAILS NEAR CAMPUS

 

Right near AU there is the Glover Archibald hiking trail with multiple entrances and exits (namely the two where it crosses Massachusetts Ave) that stretch from Tenleytown to Georgetown.

Glover-Archbold Trail near AU

Looking for something new? Check out the Theodore Roosevelt Island Nature Preserve trails just across the bridge from Georgetown via the Mt. Vernon trail. Or wander the 11-mile Capital Crescent Trail starting along the canal in Georgetown and stretching into Maryland.

 

STAY SAFE

No matter what you decide to do, remember working out outside comes with new challenges. Plan ahead how much water you’ll need to bring, let a friend know where you’re going and when they should expect you back, and don’t skimp on the sunscreen. Most importantly, have fun and embrace the return of Vitamin-D!!

Julia Baldwin, Wellness Ambassador