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Community Corner

Share the Deer Trail for a Pleasant, Fresh-air Workout

Bring your workout outdoors at some of my favorite workout spots in and around Elmhurst.

The sun is shining and the weather is beautiful–for today, at least. Why work out inside a stuffy gym when the gorgeous blooms of Mother Nature beckon? Here is a list of my favorite places to get an outdoor workout. Enjoy!

Eldridge Park

Located on the southwest part of town, this large park boasts several challenges for any level of exerciser and has been the site for numerous FitLife bootcamp workouts over the years. There’s a paved, three-quarter mile trail circling the park that is ideal for walkers, runners, bikers and roller bladers (be careful on those turns!). 

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The Hill at Eldridge Park: Is it a hill or more like a bump? While this sled hill may not look very steep, after running or walking up it 10 to 20 times, you’ll appreciate its challenge. Run/walk one lap, then work up to 10 uphill climbs; repeat the sequence three or more times. Try running uphill backwards. You’ll work your muscles quite differently.

Berens Park, located in north Elmhurst, also offers a very steep hill for running.

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The Park Benches at Eldridge: The versatile park bench can be used for several different strength-training exercises.  Step up onto the bench, pushing through your heels, for 12 repetitions each leg. Step-ups are one of the best exercises for toning the gluteus muscles (read: booty).

Park benches can also be utilized for V-sit situps, for incline or decline pushups and planks, and elevated lunges.

The Stairs on First Street

Stair climbing is a high intensity cardio activity, with the calorie burn ranging from 600 to 1,000 calories per hour, depending on gender and size. By adding in several intervals of stair climbing into your regular cardio workout, you can elevate its intensity significantly.

The stairs on First Street, located by the underpass, are steep and long.  Climb them two at a time, pushing through your heel to activate the gluteus muscles. Remember to always go back down the stairs at a normal speed because downhill speed can bother your knees.

Climb them for several intervals, and work up to 10 at a time. Supercharge this move by holding a set of 5- or 8-pound weights at your side when climbing upward.

The Salt Creek Greenway Trail

The fairly new Salt Creek Greenway Trail is finally completed after several years of planning. This 32-mile trail stretches from Busse Woods in Schaumburg all the way to Brookfield Zoo and traverses a multitude of terrain and scenery. I especially enjoy riding through Bemis Woods to the zoo; there’s a variety of wildflowers for viewing and wildlife abounds.

On a typical ride, I’ll usually catch a glimpse of several deer along the trail, an occasional beaver and woodpecker, and plenty of frogs.  On an early evening last summer, I literally almost ran into a huge buck, complete with a majestic set of antlers, meandering across the bike trail.

The trail is well marked with green trail marker signs (see picture above), making it easy for you to find your way.

Bonus: Stop at one of the several fitness centers along the way for a quick strength training workout. LA Fitness is located right on the Greenway Trail, on York Road at 22nd Street. Or check out the fitness center at the Hyatt Lodge on the McDonalds campus. Both centers charge a daily fee for nonmembers.

The Bleachers at the York Football Stadium

Climb up those bleachers at either York High School or Elmhurst College football stadium for a heart-pumping workout. Mix it up with track runs; the running track at Elmhurst College is made of recycled rubber from old athletic shoes and is easy on the joints. Public running hours are available at both facilities.

Redmond Park

This 88 acre park, located on Jefferson Street in Bensenville, features a picturesque 1.2-mile running/walking trail.  The park has numerous picnic benches for step-ups and pushups, some hilly terrain and plenty of green space.

We’ve also got the Illinois Prairie Path and numerous other parks throughout the local area. 

So get outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature this weekend!

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