Variety is the key to keeping your workouts interesting. If you are already spending a fun afternoon with the kids in the back yard, why now work in a great workout while you are out there. You are setting a great example for the kids and may even get them to join you.

Use a backyard step or stepping-stone for a quick stepping workout. Step up with your right foot follow with your left one. Step down backwards with your right foot and follow with your left one. Repeat 11 more times for a set of 12. Next start with your left foot and do another set of twelve steps. Continue to repeat these two sets until your legs get tired

Grab a jump rope and jump away in the backyard for an awesome cardio workout. Mix things up by jumping higher, crossing the rope in front of you, or even jumping backwards.

Another great cardio workout is to run around the yard. If you are feeling a little odd doing this by yourself, ask the kids to join you for a game of catch. Stopping and running like you usually do in a game of catch or even kicking the soccer ball around the yard, makes for great interval training, since you will be running in spurts. Give it a try and watch your heart rate go up.

For a great upper body workout, mow the lawn and then rake up the clippings. While you are pushing the lawn mower, focus on your upper arms and shoulders. Use those muscles to push the mower and of course use good posture and suck in that stomach. You can work out slightly different muscle groups by changing your hold on the handle bar of your mower. Most importantly though, pay attention to the mowing itself and watch those toes.

If you have a swing set in the yard, or a tree with an appropriate branch for that matter, use it to do pull-ups outside. Got a trampoline sitting around? Climb in and jump around for a great lower body workout that also gets your heart pumping.

Working out in your backyard can be a lot of fun. Give it a try and get creative with it.

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