Outdoor Ideas for Group Fitness

You don't have to be a certified group fitness instructor to enjoy some social time as you exercise. Gather a group of friends interested in the same types of exercise you enjoy and head outside to breathe in the fresh air and soak up some vitamin D. There are a variety of outdoor group activities that can keep you interested and fit.

  1. Water Aerobics

    • You can't control the heat in the summer, but you can beat it by getting your workout in the pool. Set up a schedule with other people interested in water aerobics so you can meet at the pool, help motivate each other and watch each other when necessary to keep the exercise safe -- let each person perform the exercises in the deepest water she is comfortable with so no one gets overwhelmed. Swimming laps is an effective workout, but you can also do water jacks, leg lifts, lateral arm raises and biceps curls, using foam noodles or water weights to increase the resistance. Walking and running in the pool gives you a low-impact workout without with extra resistance from the water.

    Running

    • Runner's World says running with a group of people makes you more accountable to get out and exercise. Group running can help you run longer and faster, keeping you from slacking off while you workout. Running with several people means you have more minds working together to think of creative running routes and styles, so you don't feel like you're doing the same thing every day. Groups can keep running exciting, which means you're more likely to stick with it.

    Team Sports

    • Meeting a group outside for team sports activities means you can change up the exercise each time. Choose options that keep as many of you active at once, such as soccer, flag football or basketball. With games such as flying-disc golf, you can run between the baskets or do exercises such as squats or jumping jacks while you wait on other team members to throw. Team sports help you build camaraderie while you enjoy fast-paced, friendly competition.

    Bicycling

    • Bicycling gives you the opportunity to enjoy beautiful nature vistas while getting in your workout with a group. Take proper safety precautions, including helmets and following driving rules, when you're riding on the road. Or take your bikes off-road for some mountain biking fun. Mountain biking gives you a taste of nature while building your coordination skills as you navigate rugged terrain. It's best to ride with a group of people that have similar bicycling abilities; when the group is constantly separated by slower riders, it loses some of its group appeal.