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Outdoor Fitness for Training in a Natural State
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Outdoor Fitness for Training in a Natural State
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Our cave man legacy wasn't meant for us to use a stair climber, but to run in the forest. Natural terrains, fresh air, sunshine, birds chirping, can buff our bodies and ease our tensions, this is an interview with author, Tina Vindum, on her latest book.
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FitCommerce
Tina, You've been promoting outdoor fitness for years, and now this past April (2009) you wrote a book, Outdoor Fitness, how is that going?
Tina Vindum
Very well. People are discovering the term "outdoor fitness" refers to much more than just 'physical fitness' --butts and biceps. It is a complete program that honors the interconnection of our body, mind, emotions and the environment. Each workout becomes a heightened experience where people really begin to feel a deeper connection to nature and the natural world and that feels good and keeps them coming back for more. |
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FitCommerce
For a multitude of reasons, gyms became the venue for fitness, people going indoors to get "fit", but your putting forth a whole new concept, that of going outside to get fit, what was the genesis of that notion?
Tina Vindum
Simply put, nature is the most powerful contributor to health, fitness well being. Again it feels good and that is motivating ... Invigorating. Fresh air, natural light, natural terrain, views, vistas--multi-directional movement on all types of terrain is not only a blast (in every way), it recruits more muscle fiber, burns more fat and calories, and trains the brain with the body.
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Tina Vindum (above) demonstrates movements that can be performed in the great outdoors.
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Machines bolted to a flat gym floor cannot do this! Couple all of this with the natural sounds of the outdoors--surf, wind in the trees, the birds, the kids laughing at the playground, the stillness of the early morning (vs. The thumping sounds of gym tunes / tv and cnn); you've got the perfect environment for getting fit and healthy.
FitCommerce
Most trainers love their modalities, whether it be weight lifting, circuit training, Swiss ball, etc., can going outdoors without the benefit of these devises be as effective?
Tina Vindum
Yes. Who says you can't bring it with you? I love my body weight and terrain exercises, however, I also bring out hand weights, resistance tubes, Nordic walking poles.
Stairmaster vs. real stairs? Treadmill vs. rolling hills? No contest!
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FitCommerce
Does the human body react differently to being in a "natural" state, where the ground may be uneven and definitely the exertion level would be random?
Tina Vindum
Yes, the uneven terrain recruits more muscle fiber, trains mental focus (pay attention or trip!), fresh air vs. canned air (in our lungs-the EPA estimates indoor air to be 2-3 times more polluted that outdoor air...even in the most industrialized cities). It's easy to use an RPE scale on the trail...it's even meditative...my clients love it!
In the past, you've spoken frequently about a better mind-body connection when you're outdoors, why does that happen?
I call it environmental integration. When we are outdoors our senses become more heightened with what we see, hear, smell, feel, etc.., we become fully integrated with our surroundings--become one with it--and that's how it happens. Very powerful. I've seen most of my clients weep (joyfully) from the effect.
FitCommerce
How important is just getting fresh air and natural sunshine to foster better health?
Tina Vindum
Fresh air vs. Canned air (in our lungs--epa estimates indoor air to be 2-3 times more polluted that outdoor air...even in the most industrialized cities).
Vitamin D is gaining a lot of attention these days--sunshine is an invaluable resource!
FitCommerce
Can outdoor fitness be more of a mood changer?
Tina Vindum
Absolutely--again:
I call it environmental integration. When we are outdoors our senses become more heightened with what we see, hear, smell, feel, etc.., we become fully integrated with our surroundings--become one with it--and that's how it happens. Very powerful. I've seen most of my clients weep (joyfully) from the effect.
Today, the rain had just cleared and my class and i spotted 3 coyotes (closely) hunting, 2 bobcats, rabbits, a deer and a variety of birdlife. That will put anyone in a great mood. Early mornings in a city are excellent for spotting squirrels, birds, etc. 
FitCommerce
A lot of the population does not live in the country, they may live is suburban development or in cities, does that mean they won't have opportunities to work out outdoors?
Tina Vindum
Tons! I Love Early Morning Training In Manhattan. I Also Training Downtown San Francisco (Where I Live) And Use All Kinds Of Props And City Parks--Parking Meters, Mailboxes, Stop Signs, Parking Curbs, Concrete Blocks, Etc.
FitCommerce
O.K. for our trainers out there, what are a handful of outdoor exercises they can try to see if they can add outdoor exercise to their mix.
Tina Vindum
Take your lunges uphill. Use a mailbox for a wall sit. Use steps for lateral sumo-squats. Monkey bars at the playground for modified pull ups. The base of a slide for single-leg dips. Walk along the parking curbs for better balance.
About Tina Vindum
Tina Vindum is the author of Tina Vindum's Outdoor Fitness--Step Out Of The Gym And Into The Best Shape Of Your Life.
She also founded Outdoor Action Fitness® in 1995 and has developed the only accredited Outdoor Fitness Instructor Training Program. Her outdoor workouts have been featured in numerous national and international publications, and she is the host of Lime's Tina Vindum's Outdoor Fitness show on Sirius Satellite Radio.
The Guardian, London, refers to her as "The Original Al Fresco Guru".
For information about Instructor Training programs visit: www.outdoorfitness.com. |
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