Get Outside

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Here in Switzerland we have a three-day weekend in honor of Whit Monday. While it may seem like we have a lot of bank holidays over here, the fact is that they are simply more condensed than the holidays in the United States. While there is a national holiday on average of once a month in the United States, Switzerland has only four more this year: August 1st, September 11th, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

A year ago, I was spending quite a lot of time enjoying workout classes like Barry’s Bootcamp, Soul Cycle, Uplift and the rest of my NYC favorites before the big move. I had a hard time imagining life without these classes as working out in a group setting had become such a way of life. After the move, I quickly realized that there are very few workout classes in Geneva and that many of my co-workers did not even have a gym membership. When I asked about how they worked out, many of them laughed at me. The general response was, “look outside, the whole world is my gym.” I figured that maybe something just didn’t translate well.

Going away workouts

Yesterday, when typing an email to a new Geneva expat, I found myself giving similar advice when answering her question of which gym to join and how I work out in the city. While I still rely on my small office gym for workouts when the weather is bad or for convenience, I rarely use it more than once per week. There aren’t large chain gyms here in Geneva other than a CrossFit box which is on the other side of town. Instead, I find myself spending as much time working out outside and then taking advantage of smaller, local studios such as InnerCity Yoga.

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The people with whom we surround ourselves in Geneva are the most active group I’ve ever known. For them, working out is more than just a way to burn calories and stay in shape. It is a way to enjoy nature and each other’s company. This morning, when I looked through my Facebook feed, it was clear that my closest friends spent the entire three-day weekend outside being active. Some went canyoning in Interlaken, others hiked in the mountains, and those of us who stayed in Geneva spent time cycling,  running, and swimming in and around the lake.

I highly recommend that you challenge yourself to think twice before heading inside for a workout this summer. The next time you find yourself ruled by your workout class schedule try thinking differently. Swim in a local lake, rent a bike and explore back roads or trails, or swap out the treadmill for a run outside. While the first outdoor workout might be more difficult, your body and mind will thank you in the long-run.

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What’s your favorite way to get outside for outdoor workouts?

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13 Comments

  1. Coco June 9, 2014 / 11:30 am

    Love this! I think Europeans live do much better than we do in so many ways.

    • ashleyd June 9, 2014 / 5:09 pm

      I couldn’t agree with you more Coco!

  2. Carla June 9, 2014 / 11:35 am

    when we lived in austin I was ALWAYS INSIDE in the summer because of the heat.
    OAKLAND? You have to drag me indoors 🙂

    • Shauna June 9, 2014 / 2:57 pm

      So true, Carla. Training in the Bay Area is a dream. 😀

    • ashleyd June 9, 2014 / 5:09 pm

      Amen Carla! I forget how hot and disgusting it is some places during the summer, just like Savannah Georgia where I grew up!

  3. Margaret @ Have a Good Run June 9, 2014 / 3:49 pm

    So helpful and something to keep in mind as I prepare to move to London next month! (I will probably drop you a note about that soon – would love any advice you/Bo have!)

    • ashleyd June 9, 2014 / 5:08 pm

      Happy to help Margaret!

  4. Laura@SneakersandSpatulas June 9, 2014 / 4:30 pm

    I LOVE working outside as opposed to the gym. For my workouts, I run and cycle outdoors, take walks with my dog, play group sports, etc. Lululemon is even having their yoga classes outdoors now that its warmer and I am loving it!

    • ashleyd June 9, 2014 / 5:07 pm

      I loved the Lululemon outdoor classes in NYC during the summer! That’s so fun Laura!

  5. kristi@runkwrun.blogspot.com June 9, 2014 / 6:40 pm

    Even though I’m in Houston, TX, and the heat can be downright miserable (like right now), I still get outdoors. I just to have work around the heat…get up early, go out late. I usually swim in the pool, but I may start swimming at this lake by my apartment designed for triathlon and wake boarding training.

  6. Sheena June 10, 2014 / 4:10 am

    Working out constantly outdoors is one of the things miss about living in Germany. Every day was a new adventure to hike, explore, run, walk (especially walk!). How long will you be living in Geneva?

  7. cel June 14, 2014 / 11:27 pm

    I love seeing geneva pics and posts! did i miss the post where you spoke about moving to switzerland? I have a swiss passport (my dad was born there) and I would love to move there for work! Where do you work in switerland?

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