Arnold Schwarzenegger and his massive pecs may have popularized Gold’s Gym in the 1970s, but that was more than four decades ago. Recently there has been a surge in fitness that takes you outside the box. Whether the winding path is a dirt road, an asphalt highway, or a gently rolling river, the outdoors has no boundaries that limit healthy, fun activities.With the emergence of Turkey Trots, Warrior Dashes, and Jingle Bell Runs among the plethora of other outdoor activities, more people are running 5Ks, strategizing tough mudders, and conquering marathons. Even CrossFit has its competitive game series and sporting goods stores have seen a rise in sales of fun outdoor gear. It’s never been easier to find a competitive sport.So, if you’re looking to get in on the action and don’t know what’s right for you, some outdoor enthusiasts are sharing their stories.From kayaking, road races, and obstacle runs to marathons and garage games, the list of fun outdoor activities offer benefits of staying healthy. These average athletes don’t have big-name sponsors to pay them mega bucks to stay healthy or promote their favorite sports, yet they have an intense drive. These six fitness enthusiasts log more than 40 hours a week working in their own career fields while also spending some serious time staying active. Their drive for a healthy lifestyle is motivated by simple pleasure and personal goals.

Kayaking

If you’re looking for a low-impact activity that also provides a range of entertainment, then look no further than your local lake or river. A day on the water can get you a tan and a workout. The only gear you need is a kayak, lifejacket, and paddle. Even if you don’t have your own kayak, some areas offer rentals. This paddlesport forces you to use different muscle groups as it helps you to improve health and fitness. But beware, you may not be able to stop after the first stroke.Kristy Wheeler and her husband Lee began kayaking about four years ago.“We were on vacation at the beach and decided to rent a couple of kayaks for fun,” Kristy said. “We were hooked after the first trip! My favorite aspect of kayaking is sitting directly on top of the water. I love the feel of the ocean waves or the brisk pace of river beneath me. There are launch points throughout Walker County that we enjoy either at the lake or the river as well as around the Tuscaloosa area. We also like to take our kayaks with us when we travel to places like the beach or Tybee Island. We have kayaked in Costa Rica, too. The best advice for someone looking to start kayaking is to try out several kinds of kayaks before making a purchase. Some stores that have water access have various models that customers can try out. That way you can get a feel for the kayak and pick the model that best suits you.”Cassie Brantley Key and her husband Cameron first began kayaking after Cassie’s brother and his wife extended an invitation for them to join the water sport. And like Kristy, Cassie was hooked.“Shortly after kayaking with my brother, we purchased kayaks of our own,” Cassie said. “There’s something about being outside and viewing God’s beautiful creation that’s indescribable. When you’re out on the water, there are times when it’s completely serene and other times when it’s a sheer adrenaline rush. Every time we put our kayaks in the water, I’m reminded how awesome God is and that is the best part to me.”Cassie first began kayaking in South Georgia. Since moving to Alabama, she and Cameron mostly kayak in the local rivers or in Georgia during visits home.“We’ve also been kayaking off of Tybee Island and in the North Georgia mountains,” she said. “If you’re looking to start kayaking, you should rent or borrow kayaks first and find an experienced kayaker to go with you. Then, research everything from the boat to the paddle to the lifejackets. It’s imperative that you make sure you have the right gear for the places that you plan to go the majority of the time.”

Road Racing

Maybe you have passed a herd of runners one morning as you were driving along the sleepy Saturday streets of downtown. Or maybe your friends have been begging you to sign up for a local 5K benefit. What’s stopping you? In recent years road races have become popular with anyone looking to get or stay fit with some outdoor activity. A 5K is considered the entry-level distance for road racing and at only 3.1 miles, it is the most beginner-friendly run. A morning walk along the familiar scenery of your neighborhood is mood boosting, but a fun competitive endurance run invigorates the body. If you have been feeling the pressure to try a 5K, Drew Argent, who has been running them for a few years, can tell you just how easy it is to get started.Drew has run in local road races such as the Landshark run-swim-run as well as 5Ks around the state like the Color Run and the Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run.“I began running 5Ks just a few years ago with Suzie and her son Brett,” Drew said. “I knew Suzie had been running downtown with some of her students, and I really wanted to join them. She planned on our first run to be a one mile fun run off Highway 280 at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, but that quickly changed. As the runners were lining up for the 3.1 mile Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run, Suzie encouraged me to run the 5K with Brett instead of the one-miler. Without ever running three miles before that morning, I did it anyway in the blistering cold, hilly Greystone community. Anyone can do it. I would just suggest to start with low miles and build your way up.” 78 Part II of this series to be posted tomorrow. Stay tuned for the rest of Suzie’s article!