For many people, the biggest hurdle isn’t getting outside; it’s deciding what to do once you’re there. Although walking, running and cycling are great, there may be other activities you haven’t even considered. Many can be fun and offer a good workout.

Net Games
You don’t have to pay money or be a member of an exclusive club to play tennis. Most municipalities now have courts set aside for public use during daylight hours (some are even lighted).

With two people, a little yard or open space, a net and some minimal equipment, you’re set for either volleyball or badminton. Volleyball only requires a ball. It’s vigorous and like other net sports, gives you the chance to use a combination of skill, agility, speed and strategy. You’ll need a shuttlecock and racquets for badminton, but again, these can often be very reasonably priced. Never played before? That’s not a problem! The rules for these net games are easy and can be found on several sites online.

Retro Rules
Remember how much fun you had playing outside as a kid? You can recapture some of those old feelings with activities you really loved when you were young. Get your friends together for a rousing game of dodge ball. You can also toss a Frisbee or pull out the jump rope and do double-dutch. As an added plus, these are great games for the whole family!

If you’re on your own, don’t rule out retro fun. Pull out your old hula-hoop, crank up the music and let it spin. Hula-hoops, first popularized in the late 1950s, have undergone a resurgence in popularity during the past few years.

Keep digging in your closet until you find that old pair of rollerblades. Strap on your helmet and any protective pads, lace up the blades and head to the blacktop or sidewalk. Even if it’s been a few years or more since you were on your rollerblades, you’ll probably be surprised at how quickly it will come back to you. You also might be surprised by how many other people you find who are rollerblading too.

Go Zen
Yoga first originated in India. This centuries-old physical and mental discipline has surged in popularity across the U.S. Yoga studios have opened everywhere and yoga classes are now taught at most community centers, fitness clubs or YMCAs. When it comes to fitness, one of the most appealing aspects of yoga is that there are a number of different disciplines, varying in complexity and in intensity. If you’re considering a yoga class, ask if it would be possible for you to just observe prior to signing up. That way, you can get a sense of how physically demanding it will be.

An ancient Chinese martial art form that’s also gaining in popularity is Tai Chi Chuan. Tai Chi, which looks like a series of slow-motion movements, is said to enhance health and is practiced regularly in parks around the world. While there are DVDs available that teach Tai Chi movements, if you can, it’s best to learn the art from a qualified instructor.

Off the Beaten Path
A number of parks in the U.S. and in other countries have incorporated what are known as fitness trails. These trails include a variety of fitness stations, with guided activities such as stretching, jumping jacks, pull-ups and sit-ups. An appeal of these trails is that they’re free for anyone to use. Just a word of caution: if you’re unaccustomed to doing any physical activities, take the trail slowly and be careful doing the exercises.

With so many people owning portable GPS units, geocaching has grown in popularity. Geocaching is basically an outdoor treasure hunting activity, where participants use clues in combination with navigational settings to find hidden caches of treasure. The caches themselves can be small trinkets or more significant treasures. They’re hidden all across the U.S. and around the world (including caches hidden in the ocean). Although it’s free to go geocaching, the website that lists treasure coordinates does charge an annual fee for full navigational listings.

One thing you might want to consider is a slightly off-beat place to do a traditional activity, like walking, biking or rollerblading. Do a search for rails-to-trails multi-use trails in your area. These trails are created by a non-profit agency, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, which has been converting old railroad lines into multi-use trails around the country since its founding in 1986. The trails can stretch for miles, often through picturesque countryside and are typically closed to motorized vehicles.

With so many possibilities for exercise and so much beautiful weather, there’s really no excuse for not getting outside and enjoying yourself!

(Brought to you by NutriSystem)

To plan your activities, visit the LifeBalance Activity Planner.

To keep track of your calories burned and your fitness progress, visit the LifeBalance Activity Tracker and Journal.