For me, fall in Portland Oregon has always been a time of rejuvenation and change. Focusing on work and setting new goals for the upcoming months. Redecorating my apartment while catching up on Tv shows I missed over the summer. Buying candles! I stay pretty busy through the summer, so by the end, I’m looking to reboot.
In the past, this has led to me being less than consistent in my own fitness routine. Over the years I’ve learned how to cope and stay consistent but I know there are many who haven’t. Being creative in and outside the gym is important. Exploring fun and new ways to workout can make the difference between sticking with it or giving up. Keeping yourself excited and engaged isn’t always easy and can take some thinking out of the box. Here is a list of some fun fall fitness ideas that can keep you busy through the rainy season.
Join a Sports League-
Portland is filled with a wide array of sports leagues catering to all skill levels. Everything from futsal to volleyball to cornhole! There are even dodgeball teams. An old client of mine was on a dodgeball team that I subbed in for on a couple of games. I can’t tell you how many calories I burned, but I always left dripping in sweat and trying to catch my breath. It was an amazing workout and the comradery among the players was something special as well. It seemed many of the players had recently moved to Portland and were using dodgeball as a way to meet new people.
Portland is such a hot spot to move to, for transplants joining a sports league has become a popular way to find community. So if you’re looking to get a great workout while meeting new friends, joining a sports league might be your perfect solution. There are three organizations that I’m aware of, Under Dog Sports Leagues, Recess Time and Meetup. I know there are much more out there.
Begin Indoor Rock Climbing-
I’ve seen indoor rock climbing really take off in Portland over the last several years. I actually have gotten into it myself, and go once and a while with a friend. It is an amazing arm, back, core and grip strength workout. Nothing like I’ve ever found. I don’t think there is anything better for building grip strength which is important in weightlifting. If you enjoy pushing yourself to new heights rock climbing may be right up your alley. Climbing gyms have popped up all around Portland making it convenient to find one near you. I currently go to the Portland Rock Gym on 21 NE 12th Ave, Portland, OR. The atmosphere is a lot of fun and they recently added a very healthy vegan restaurant called Prasad on the second floor of the facility.
Start an at Home Workout Video-
When some people think ‘workout videos’ they think Richard Simmons, tights, and the 90s. What they don’t realize is there are some pretty amazing workout videos out there. Back in 2010 for about a year, I followed the P90x workout program. I got in pretty killer shape and had a blast doing it. At the time I was living in a house with 3 other guys and we all participated. It was a great way for us to come together. We kept each other accountable and the house actually ran smoother because of it.
Maybe you have a friend who also could use some added motivation in their workout? How nice would it be to link up and workout in the comfort of one of your own homes? You could invite a couple of people to join. Fitness is contagious. Maybe before you know it you have a group fitness class taking place in your living room every night. Might liven the place up!
Take Spin Classes-
If you’re looking for a high-intensity interval workout, spin classes are where it’s at! I’ve been riding my bike around Portland for years and I’m not sure any have been as intense as the cycle classes I’ve taken before. When riding a bike you often build momentum, which gives you a break where there is little to no resistance. That is not the case in spin. In Spin, you are constantly pushing against the resistance of the bike. Also, the instructors tend to push their clients harder than they would push themselves out on an actual bike ride.
Spin classes are a great option for many, as it is easier on your joints than other activities. For example, running is much more likely to bring on knee pain then biking. A longtime friend of mine, Whitney H. is an instructor at RidePDX. Check it out!! Also, check out this fun article in The Willamette Week talking all about it!
Try Bikram Yoga-
One thing many people are missing in their fitness routines is stretching! The importance of stretching is paramount! It’s something so many people skip out on and pay for later. I know first hand how difficult it can be to stick to a regular stretching routine. Plenty of people want to get straight to the workout and are too tired to stick around after to stretch. Often it isn’t until things start to break down due to lack of stretching that people finally pick it up. Bikram Yoga could benefit everyone in a big way. I started taking classes at *I**AM YOGA with my girlfriend about a month ago and have seen measurable results. It’s also been a great way for us to spend time together doing something active that we both enjoy!
Go on Hikes-
If you think going hiking is just a summer activity its time to look at it from a different angle. There is one major point that may sway some into being more of a fallen hiker! It’s as simple as this, there are much fewer people crowding the trails in the fall. Some summer days it’s impossible to keep a decent pace without running into the person in front of you. I prefer solitude in nature. For me, it makes all the difference. If you agree and haven’t yet, go hiking in the fall. If you live in Portland Oregon you are blessed with countless amazing hikes. I don’t want to be the one to out any of these hikes making them even more crowded but if you look around you’ll be amazed at how many are very close.
Get a Personal Trainer-
If you struggle to stick to a routine in the gym the best way to combat that is with a personal trainer. There is no better way to keep your workouts fresh, challenging and goal driven. Whether you have been working out for years and are looking for new ideas. Or have no idea what you’re doing and need complete guidance, having a personal trainer can be very useful. Believe it or not, before I became a personal trainer, I actually had a one. I was 20 years old and had been working out 5 days a week since I was 15. I had hit a plateau and was looking for direction. It didn’t mean I didn’t know what I was doing, I just wanted a new perspective. It ended up really working out and to this day I still use a couple of the workouts that I learned.
Keeping the ball rolling in fitness is the key to long-term success. It’s not about being the fittest person you possibly can it’s about being the healthiest/happiest person you possibly can. Whatever you find that keeps you coming back, more power to you! If you come up with your own fall fitness ideas and want to share them please do in my comment section below!
Fit-InMotion Personal Training