You Need These 7 Things during Every Outdoor Workout ...

You’re going to sweat so be sure you bring along a towel to sop it up when it happens. You can wear it around your neck or tuck it into your waistband so it’s easy to grab when you need it. A towel is also perfect if you plan to do yoga, pushups or crunches in the grass at the park. Cotton is perfect for wicking away moisture and it’s easy to toss in the washer when you get home.

If you’re not using a machine at the gym that helps you chart your heart rate, it’s a good idea to wear one on your wrist. This way you know when you’re in your zone so that you can maximize the benefits of any session. There are loads of adorable options to choose from so you can easily find a heart rate monitor that melds with your style.

When you exercise, you lose water through sweating. You don’t want to get dehydrated, which can be dangerous. That makes it important to carry a water bottle with you so that you can chug before, during and after you get done exercising. You have lots of options so there’s no reason why carrying a water bottle should be an issue.

Even if the sun isn’t at its harshest, you need to wear SPF every time you head outside to exercise. The sun’s rays can penetrate through the clouds and cause damage even if you don’t notice it’s happening. Slather on SPF before you head out on your run or before you hit the park for tai chi. You’ll help prevent skin cancer and ward off the signs of aging.

Some girls like to do their work out at the end of the day and it might be dark sometimes, especially in the fall and winter. If that’s the case for you, make sure your workout wear is reflective so that drivers and other people out on the trail can see you so that you don’t get hurt.

I always find it easier to go harder and longer when I have great music to listen to. When you’re rocking your favorite tunes, it helps distract you from how crappy it can be to exercise. Put together playlists that inspire you to finish strong and get the most from your session. An iPod is the perfect thing for listening to your favorite music as you run, bike or walk.

If your workout clothes are too restrictive and uncomfortable, the chances that you’ll want to exercise will go way down. You need clothing that feels good to move in so that you want to work out and that give you enough range of motion that you can get the most out of your session.

What do you take along for an outdoor workout? What’s your favorite way to exercise outside?