Best Outdoor Equipment

Trick question?...No.

It's more a reason or cause for layout, design, and access versus equipment that you need to purchase.

The other part of TEEM Performance Training is the outdoor season. Sure, it runs year-round. But, with the weather picking up to mildly nicer in New England and sub-warmer in the DC area, the outdoor season has arrived. Everything on this list should be free. If your area charges you an arm and a leg to use a tennis court, basketball court, pool, or if there is not enough access to the aforementioned within a two-mile radius of your home, then 1)it's shady...2) something needs to be done...3) someone or some local legislation does not know what they are doing when it comes to public health and fitness. So, here it goes:

Hills - Whether it involves the street or grass (preferably), you need them to challenge your heart. Period.

Fields - Honestly, you should have at least one field per neighborhood. It doesn't have to be a football field size. But, it can be small enough to adequately and safely field, say, a game of 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 Ultimate Frisbee. No research intended.

Parks and Playgrounds - Cambridge and Somerville, MA have about 200 in a total of 14sq/miles. You do not have live up to that number. But, if you live in a playground or park desert, then there is an issue. You should be able to walk to both of them.

Stairs - The best stairs are found in stadiums unless you live near Georgetown, Washington, DC, which is home to the stairs found in the movie "The Exorcist"; or if you live in Philadelphia and would like to emulate Rocky Balboa on your way to the Philadelphia Museum.

Straight-aways - are good for resistance? Why? They create wind tunnels that are shocking. Plus, they are great for running. Anyone who has run on a track or on a field knows that you can only run about 120 meters in a straight line. Have you ever asked or been around someone who asked, "I wonder what it is like to run 1/2 mile in a straight line that is not labeled as a trail?"

Curves - Street curves, that is. Why do you need curves? Curves can help strengthen ankles. Just make sure that you are not always turning left or always turning right. A curve plus a strait-away or hill is a hotbed for acceleration.

Walls - Brick and cement are what you mostly find. The only downfall? It would be great if more walls were slanted away from your body.


Woods - Because we all need to breathe better. Woods have trees. Trees give off oxygen. You need oxygen. I once had an undergraduate professor who said, "If you want to improve your breathing, run in the woods." Well, he knew what he was talking about since other professors in various colleges and universities have reference his books.


               

    With heart...Derek

Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS       www.teempt.com           TEEM Performance Training