“Diet and Exercise” are on everyone’s minds, these days. While dieting can get boring, at least you can literally “spice things up” with clever recipes. But, what can you do about exercise? Three miles a day on the treadmill gets old really quickly. That’s why you can do yourself some good with outdoor activities. And, I don’t mean walking the same 1k track around the nearby park – I mean some real adventure.

Kayaking

Have you considered kayaking? It’s a great upper body and torso workout. Anywhere you can find a beach or a fishing spot will usually have kayak rentals available. Active Escapes, for example, is located on the Devon coast, and rent kayaks for exploring sea caves and rivulets that feed into the ocean. How much more fun would that be than doing the same 30 reps at the gym for today’s workout? Most outdoor activity centres in Ilfracombe  rent kayaks also rent flotation and safety equipment, as well as providing training.

Surf Rafting

Another great core workout is surf rafting. This works exactly like it sounds – you, along with a few other people, get aboard a rubber raft and paddle out to the breakers. Then, you surf your way back to shore. You don’t even have to have very good balance, because you’re sitting in a raft! This way, you can surf without a board.

Surfing

Or, you can go surfing without the raft. Surfing has come a long way from the “beach bum” stereotype of just a few decades ago. Today, people of all ages and physical conditioning can surf. Talk about a total body workout – just try an afternoon of surfing! You can rent boards that are just right for your height and ability level, from a beginner boogie board to a professional long board, designed for quick turns.

Coasteering

Coasteering is a relatively new sport that has evolved because of the popularity of cross training. With coasteering, you combine hiking, climbing, swimming, and diving, all into one day. While full immersion in this sport requires a little more physical conditioning that other activities mentioned here, there are several levels of coasteering. If your passion, for example, is rock climbing, you can forgo most of the other activities and join a group to specifically climb ocean cliffs and dive in.

Sunshine

Exercise is said to be one of the healthiest drugs you can take. It increases endorphins in the body that are associated with happiness. Sunshine adds to the sense of well-being, as does fresh air. So many people these days avoid being outside because of the threat of skin cancer. However, with proper sunscreen and eye protection, you can reap the benefits of outdoor activities, even absorbing vitamin K to make your bones stronger. There is no need to limit your exercise to indoors. Get outside and feel the breeze evaporate the perspiration from your skin, and enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you hike or bike along the coast.