EMILY ENGLISH
LIFE REPORTER

Justin Guglielmello, 25, takes a jog along Oakville’s lake shore. (Emily English)

Now that summer is here, students should reap the benefits an outdoor workout can bring, said health and fitness experts.

“There are so many things that you can do outdoors, running and walking are just two examples of it,” said Bryan Smith, regional manager for the Running Room.
Besides these, students can try other workouts, such as rock climbing, parasailing, hiking, biking, rollerblading, canoeing, joining a sports league or even an outdoor boot camp class.
“Getting out in the sun will help your vitamin D levels,” said Humber health and fitness program co-ordinator Matt Koller.
“This can lower incidents of heart disease and cancer, as long as you use proper sun screen.”
Another reason to get outside for workouts while the weather is warm is to have more fun.
Koller said the social factor involved in many outdoor workouts can give students more motivation to exercise.
Smith said students looking for a good workout which gets them outside and socializing have lots of options to choose from throughout the city.
“There’s so much people can do during the spring and summer months, that really the sky is the limit,” he said. “The offering of sports that people have available to them in summer months is a bit more attractive.”
“Working out in groups also makes people accountable. If you’re doing teamwork or partner work, people will notice when you’re not there,” said Amanda Quinn, founder of Fit Chicks, which runs outdoor boot camps and offers full body workouts in the GTA.
“Exercising outdoors only makes the experience better. There’s nothing like sunshine on your face and clean air in your lungs,” said Quinn. “When you work out outside, you’re against different elements, so you’re burning more calories.”
Koller said the key to picking the best workout is to choose an activity you really enjoy.

Hiking in the city

High Park

• A mostly urban park, however it has many trails around Grenadier Lake. (easy)

Tommy Thompson Park  (9 km)

• A great place to look out for the 300 species of birds that reside there. (easy)

Rouge River Trail (10 km)

• Hikers share this trail not only with cyclists, but also horses. (easy)
• Location: North of the 401 to Lake Ontario

Don River Trail (20 km)

• The Don River trail runs through many parks. (easy)
• Location: East of Yonge St. to Edwards Gardens

Humber River Trail (32 km)

• Hikers and bikers can take this trail through parks and golf courses. (easy)
• Location: West of Jane St. (Extends from Lake Ontario to beyond the 401)

The Waterfront Trail (350 km)

• This trail winds through conservation areas, provincial parks, forests, marshes and beaches.(Difficult)
• Location: Stoney Creek on the west shore of Lake Ontario to Quinte West

Source: www.outthere.com