It’s true that we might be moving away from beach weather, but Fall is actually a bomb time to get a brisk outdoor workout in! If you’re wondering what equipment can give you the best workout outside, grab some of this swole-gettin’ gear and let’s get out there!
Flow Ropes
If you’ve ever tried battle ropes, you know that weighted ropes can offer a killer workout. Flow ropes take this concept to the next level.
For one, flow ropes don’t need to be attached to an anchor point like battle ropes and can be swung in flows that target your entire body.
This makes them very versatile in terms of workouts. Because their weight is so mobile, your legs and core are also heavily involved.
Another bonus is that they’re ultra-portable, so they can be stashed in your gym bag or suitcase.
@FlowWithAJ offers bomb flow rope workouts you can try once you get yourself a rope.
Steel Mace
The steel mace is a heavy duty, all in one piece of equipment that is also fun to use. It can give you the feeling of chopping wood, but in a more flow-style.
The design of the steel mace is meant heavily engage your stabilizer muscles, core, and power centers due to its asymmetrical weight distribution. These are muscles that are rarely used in standard gym equipment lifts, which usually have weights balanced for us on machines. By using an unbalanced free weight like the steel mace, we engage the muscles that support our larger muscles, which then increases our overall strength.
Use my code: PRIMAL over at Onnit here to save 10% on a steel mace.
Kettlebell
Obviously, kettlebells are one of my favorite weights to use in the gym or outside. They are excellent not only for static lifts, such as bicep curls or squats, but also for flows and mobility and stability-centered work, like swings and Turkish getiups.
You can also chose to work with a single bell or double bells for different effects. With a single, a kettlebell will engage more stabilizer muscles like the steel mace, while double kettlebells can add more weight and more complicated and dynamic movements.
Jump Rope
If it’s cardio you’re after, but you don’t have a local trail or track, or you’re traveling, nothing beats a jump rope. We tend to forget about jump ropes due to trendier options being available, but they really should be a staple for quick cardio, or even cardio intervals.
If you’re just after cardio, you can try a variety of cardio intervals and jump disbursements, like skips to double-unders. Or, if you’re hitting a circuit, you can alternate between weights like a kettlebell or steel mace, and jumping rope.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are another favorite of mine to always have around. These life-savers (especially when you’re traveling) come in varying resistance levels and are also extremely lightweight to pack. Strong resistance bands can be as brutal as a heavy weight, and also have the benefit of continuous resistance. This is important, since time-under-tension is a catalyst for growth. So, if you’re looking to gain, make sure you have a heavy band in your arsenal.
Weighted Vest
A weighted vest is bomb to add a challenge to any workout while keeping your hands free. You can wear it doing cardio or any other session, provided you’re ready for it!
Weighted vests not only force your entire body to push against more weight, but also challenge your core to keep you upright with more weight on your body. This increases balance and agility, heightening your stability after you take the vest off.
Plus, wearing a vest while doing cardio can also increase endurance, which is why you often see military training with vests. If you can get at those hill sprints with a weighted vest on, they’ll seem easy under any other circumstance.
HydroCore Bag
The beauty behind the HydroCore bag is that it’s meant to go with you anywhere … this includes outside. This unique workout bag fills with water in order to not only provide weight, but challenge your stability and core muscles like no other.
This is due to the shape of the bag and the interior movement of the water. As you move and flow, the water inside the bag moves, pulling at your muscles in several different planes. As your muscles resist this pull, while also lifting the weight, you build sturdy core stability, as well as strength through every movement.
Often, we (and our muscles) because used to moving weight through one plane. AKA: we press weight up from our chest and lower back down. This can be good for building, but it leaves out tons of supportive muscles in the process. When you pick up the HydroCore bag and press it or pull it, your body has to resist the weight and the movement of the water, or else you’ll fall. It adds a higher-level of challenge, since we aren’t used to using these smaller muscles with weight.
The great part? Once you’re done, you can empty out the water, and the bag folds flat. Yep, it’s a suitcase friend.
Save 10% on your HydroCore Bag here with my code: PRIMAL
Workouts to Take Outside
If you’re looking for a set of moves to take outdoors, try out these workouts. Plus, hit up my channel for bodyweight workouts you can use as well.
