Home & Garden Television: Vacation Exercise
June 2003

Fitness expert Lisa Marie Varon shows that just because you are on vacation, your fitness routine does not have to suffer. Items like water bottles and coolers aid in the beach workout.

The beach and park are great places to do some light exercise while still having the opportunity to relax, get a tan and let the worries of the day fade away.

Be sure to use plenty of sunscreen. Try to workout early in the morning or late in the afternoon. As always, consult a physician before beginning any exercise routine.

Figure A

Use a towel to aid in stretching muscles. Wrap the towel around the foot and, while lying on your back, bring the towel back toward your shoulder and keep the leg straight (figure A). Bend at the knee periodically. This will stretch the hamstrings.

Figure B

Stretch the arms by grabbing the towel in one hand, then bringing that hand behind the head, allowing the towel to hang. Reach behind and grab the base of the towel with the other hand (figure B). Pull on the towel, then take tension off at intervals.

Figure C

Use the cooler as a gym-step exercise. Step onto the cooler with one foot, then extend the opposite leg out and squeeze the glutes (figure C). This exercise can work both legs.

Use the water bottles inside the cooler not only to hydrate the body, but also to exercise the arms as well. Two water bottles can work as dumbbell weights for bicep curls and flys.

Figure D

Use the beach chair for tricep extensions and pushups (figure D). Be sure that the chair is firmly in place, then place the hands on the arms of the chair, extend down, come up, exhale, then come back down. Make sure the body is in a straight line and that the stomach isn’t sagging.

Working out on the beach or at the park leaves you feeling invigorated and aids in restful sleep that evening, not to mention the feeling of pride you’ll have for sticking with your workout routine.