Spring forward into fitness

We've officially moved into daylight-saving time, which means spring is right around the corner.

When spring hits, opportunities for fitness activities open up wide. I get excited when the weather breaks, and the wife and I can start taking the kids to do more things together outdoors. I'm eager to get the boy to City Park to harass some ducks, plus he's got some climbing on rocks to do. Our poor shut-in dog has some extra winter doggy weight to lose, as well.


Now is the time to start planning your "out of the gym" activities to add some much needed variety to your fitness program.

What to do, what to do?

Get a few friends together and train for a 5K race, half-marathon or, if you have the guts, a full marathon. Go for a long hike every week at a different location in the area, we're blessed in this region with some great hikable locations.

Take a walking tour of Washington, D.C., as most of the monuments are in the same area, you'll be surprised how much you'll walk without really noticing. Take the family out for a nice long bike ride along the C & O Canal, it's a flat ride with some beautiful scenery.

 Taking up a new sport or activity is another idea for the beginning of the spring season. I recently took an extended break from competitive powerlifting and am strongly considering beginning to train for an amateur MMA (mixed martial arts) fight next year.

Adult outdoor soccer leagues usually get under way about this time as do outdoor adult softball and basketball leagues. If someone starts a kickball league, I'm there. I plan to start taking my fitness boot camp outside in the spring, which expands our workout options tremendously (love those jumping chin-ups on the monkey bars.)

 It can be really easy to get into and stay in your "routine." Kind of like a hamster on the wheel, it's real easy to make a program, a routine.

This spring, get out of your comfort zone, and start looking for new activities to get involved in. Find some new challenges to tackle in the upcoming season.

The best way to get into great shape for the summer is to get as active as you can in the spring. Want the "beach body"? It all starts here. Change it up, get outside, and let's make it happen!

Chad Smith offers ways to get off that couch and get fit and healthy. He is co-owner of Home Team Fitness, LLC, a Hagerstown Personal Training company. For information, visit www.hometeamfitness.net, or find him on Facebook www.facebook.com/hometeamfitness.