Working out. Exercise. Some people live for these very words. They live for the sweat dripping down their neck, the refreshing taste of water after a long set, the satisfying ache in your muscles as the day comes to a close. For other people, working out is definitely not on the top of their to-do-list. But it’s so important! Not only does getting your heart rate elevated and your limbs moving burn calories and keep you physically healthy, but exercise also translates over into our mental health as well. The endorphins we release during exercise are proven to hone our ability to focus and improve productivity. So let’s get to the sweaty details…

Exercise comes in so many different forms. There are a myriad of activities that the average person wouldn’t think actually qualified as working out. Luckily for us, we know better. Physical activity is simply defined as anything that requires excess energy. Meaning, your walk to work is exercising. Mowing the lawn, exercising. Taking the stairs, exercising. There are so many little things we can do to get our heart rate up and get those endorphins flowing. With that being said, it can be hard to choose between different workout options, so we’ve designed a couple with different difficulty levels to fit your motivation.

The Casual Walk

Duration: 30 minutes

Intensity Level: Low

Take a break from work or other household duties and take a step outside. Bring some music while you walk, or enjoy the layered sounds of nature. Find a trail that you like to walk or has beautiful scenery. For trails in West Omaha, we recommend: Papio Trail and the Zorinsky Lake Trail. Feeling like you need a challenge? Take your walk up a notch by powering through some hills or doing a set of stairs.

The Intermediate Interval

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Intensity Level: Intermediate

Time to kick it up a notch! An interval workout is usually something that can be done anywhere with little to no equipment. Each set has specific workouts lasting a duration of time with a break in between each set. Exercise, Rest, and Repeat! For interval workouts, look up HIIT workouts online.

The Fierce Run

Duration: 45 minutes

Intensity Level: Intermediate to Rigorous

Running for 45 minutes may seem like a lot, but with the right playlist and route, anything is possible! Get some good running shoes, not Nikes, and hit that trail! Remember to keep a constant pace throughout your run, track your pace and mileage on the Health app or Strava app. Happy running! Stretch after!