Approximately 160 million American adults are overweight and if you’re one of them, you’re always looking for interesting ways to burn off those unwanted calories. If you’re fortunate enough to live in the Los Angles area or happen to be visiting, there’s one place you can go where fun meets fitness, all day long: Griffith Park. Leave the dusty treadmill and boring old exercise bike behind or skip the hotel/motel gym, and head to Griffith Park, where burning calories is actually more fun than eating them!
1. Swimming
You can burn an average of about 220 calories an hour, just with a leisurely swim, but you’ll also be benefiting your cardiovascular system, as well. Swimming is fun, ideal for the entire family and especially enjoyable in the California sunshine.
2. Tennis
You’ll likely work off over 300 calories an hour engaged in tennis, and there are multiple courts at Griffith Park to choose from. Don’t forget the sunblock, though, and make sure you’re wearing good sneakers that provide adequate support.
3. Horseback Riding
If you have a horse, try working some weight off on the specially-marked trails at Griffith, set aside specifically for the equine exercisers. The trails close after dark and your steed is limited to any gait short of a gallop.
4. Hiking
You can knock over 400 calories off your daily total by hiking, and with more than 50 miles of trails, you can make a day of it with friends and family, whether you live in L.A. or are a tourist. Be sure and get a map before you head out, to avoid getting lost along the way.
5. Biking
Since Griffith is one of the biggest parks around, you know there’s going to be plenty of places to bike, and there are even places to rent a bike, if you don’t have one or couldn’t fit one in your suitcase. Cycling can burn a whopping 600 calories or more, per hour, making it one of the most beneficial health reasons to visit the park.
If your physician has told you to lose weight, tell them you’re going to Griffith Park. There are so many fun ways to get into shape and burn calories, you won’t even realize you’re working out.
