http://www.newsday.com/news/health/the-daily-apple-1.4760551/cool-weather-fitness-on-long-island-1.5014205
If you’re the type to find exercising outdoors entirely too grueling
during the hot and humid summer months, take advantage of a
comparatively cool spring on Long Island this year to move your routine
into the fresh air.
During spring, lower pollen levels and less-humid air makes breathing
easier during outdoor fitness activities. Even though the possibility is
not completely eliminated, there is also less of a chance of suffering a
heat-related illness, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and critical
heat stroke. While proper hydration is still critical, the body will
have less of a challenge cooling itself during the colder months.
“The [cooler months] are an excellent time to bring your workouts to
the great outdoors,” said Robert Bristol, a certified athletic trainer
and assistant athletic trainer at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue.
“[People] may find it easier to push themselves due to the decreased
probability of heat-related [ailments] that impair performance. However,
hydration is a must as you can still succumb to the effects of
dehydration if you don't properly prepare yourself.”
Here’s what some of Long Island’s athletes and exercise specialists had to say about seasonal exercise activities:
Jogging and biking
Jogging and biking are great ways to achieve quality aerobic workouts
and we’re lucky Long Island hosts a list of outdoor trails. In
particular, Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon and Hempstead Lake
State Park in West Hempstead both offer great fitness facilities for
aerobic buffs. These parks — along with many of Long Island’s state
parks — offer hiking trails with spectacular views for those who are
interested in a more relaxed, explorative challenge. Cold Spring Harbor
State Park boasts 40 acres of hilly terrain, which is sure to intrigue
anyone interested in a day of both fitness and fun.
“And if you live farther east, try biking to Wildwood State Park in
Wading River,” said Ironman Triathlon World Championship finisher Sheila
Isaacs of Shoreham, who, at age 67, was the first known athlete to
complete a triathlon in all 50 states. “It’s a great place to run — on
the trails or the beach. It’s beautiful.”
Swimming
While Long Island's waterways still remain cool temperature-wise,
long-distance and sprint swimming at the beaches can be appropriately
replaced with public indoor pool facilities, such as the Nassau County
Aquatic Center in East Meadow and Suffolk County Community College in
Brentwood. Swimming, being one of the most effective full-body
exercises, has an extremely positive impact on cardiovascular
performance when it’s done on a regular basis.
“Swimming not only increases the size of the heart's chambers, but also
the thickness of its walls,” said Lisa Hiller, an exercise physiologist
and U.S. Masters Swimming coach at Excel Swimming in Garden City. “This
powerful combination increases the amount of blood that your heart
pumps per beat. The more a person incorporates swimming into their
workouts, the lower their resting heart rate will become and it will be
easier to recover from a hard workout.”
As the days continue to get longer but before the summer heat sets in,
take advantage of this spectacular time of year by adding an outdoor
fitness training ingredient into your exercise routines.
And discover Long Island. The healthy way.