Take it outside! How to enjoy outdoor fitness on P.E.I.

Spring is here early, even! and the longer days and warmer temperatures are beckoning Islanders to exercise outdoors.

• Gym phobia keeping some Islanders from working out

• POWfit combines powwow dance with fitness

If all that fresh air and greenery aren't enough to inspire you, we asked some experts on P.E.I.to share how they like to take it outdoors.

We try to connect people with nature as much as possible. Josh Whitty,Central Region Sport and Recreation Council

"If you do a couple lunges, a couple squats and a quick five-kilometre run, then that's an efficient, fast workout," said Morgan Campbell, a 23-year-old strength and conditioning coach at Synergy Fitness in Charlottetown.

"Or, sprint in between every second light pole. Or go as fast as you can for 30 seconds, then a very slow jog for 30 seconds. You can burn a lot more fat, as opposed to going for an hour-long run at the same pace ... It does kind of suck a little bit, but it's worth it."

Using the outdoorsis also cheaper than joining a gym, Campbell points out.

"There are also lots of awesome hiking trails on P.E.I. they're beautiful and they're fun!" he added.

Uncover PEI

Enjoying physical activity outside can even earn you prizes in the month of Junewhen Recreation PEI, a non-profit group that manages the Go!PEI program, is launching a new campaign.

Uncover PEI, a checklist of 50 ways Islanders can enjoy P.E.I.'s many natural spaces, willbe launched at the beginning of June.

"To be more physically active and get outside and enjoy nature," is the purpose of the challenge, said the group's executive director Beth Grant.

Her personal bucket list includes biking a few more segments of the Confederation Trail so she will have cumulatively cycled tip to tip.

The list includes playing frisbee, slip-n-slide, geocaching, biking to work, playing croquet, building a sand castle and even picking berries.

Beach Fit

If you live in the Rustico area, you can also look forward to a couple of by-donation outdoor fitness programs organized by the Central Region Sport and Recreation Council starting the first week of July.

Beach Fit will enjoy a second summer on the beach at the end of Breakwater Rd. in North Rustico Saturdays at 7:30 a.m., incorporating body weight exercises, yoga and stretching for a full-body workout for all ages, said the group's director Josh Whitty.

Outdoor yoga is being added one night a week in a green space behind the town office in North Rustico too.

"We try to connect people with nature as much as possible ... Too often, people aren't spending enough time outside," said Whitty.

"We have a beautiful, beautiful Island here."

The Heart and Stroke Foundation's wesbite has more great suggestions for outdoor fitness, including Tai Chi or yoga in a park, getting involved in a community garden, canoeing or kayaking or enjoying a hike.