Aug 22

The DailyBurn Animal Core Inspired Playground Workout

playground push-ups

This year, New York City introduced the city’s first ever playground for adults. The playground is located in Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx, and the city plans to build two dozen more in neighborhoods across the five boroughs in the next year and a half. Europe and Asia already have adopted adult playgrounds into their cultures, where outdoor fitness areas are viewed more as a fun way to stay fit outdoors rather than a place to sit on the sidelines and watch the kids play.

Playgrounds aren’t just for kids anymore. In fact, playgrounds have some of the best outdoor fitness equipment available.

Here are a few ways that you can use the playground equipment as more than just a place for your kids to run their energy out in the afternoons:

Swings

swings

Do a set of ab pull-ins. Get in plank position on the ground and hook your feet into a flexible swing so that the swing wraps around the base of your shins. In one continuous movement, pull your knees in towards your elbows, and return to starting position. This is one rep. Think of the swing as a free substitute for TRX equipment.

Pull-up bar

playground pull-up bar

Grab on and do a few rounds of pull-ups.

Climbing rings

playground rings

Jump onto the highest set of climbing rings and swing from platform to platform. If the climbing rings are on the short side (for kids), use the rings to complete a few sets of chest to rings pull-ups.

Tires

Tires are the perfect tool for sneaking in some high intensity sports drills. Challenge yourself to crawl under and jump over alternating tires.

playground tires

Bench

Try step-ups, bench dips, or incline push-ups on the side of a park bench. Whatever you do – no sitting!

park bench

If you don’t have access to all of these pieces of equipment, you can also take DailyBurn trainer Eitan Kramer’s Animal Core workout outdoors with a few modified moves. Grab a friend or your kids for some afternoon fun.

Alligator Push-ups

eitan kramer alligator pushups

Get in plank position, and step forward with one leg. Turn both hands inward and bend at the elbows to complete one push-up.

The Pterodactyl

eitan the pteradactyl

Cross one leg in front of the other and spread both arms out straight to the side as you bend the knees and drop down into a squat.

Porcupine Rolls

eitan porcupine rolls

Lie on your back with your legs in the air. Use your abs to roll forward, and jump up to standing. Use your arms to stabilize the body and and for balance.

Duck Walk

eitan kramer duck walk

Squat down and place your hands behind your head. Walk forward and backward slowly. Protect your knees and only drop down as far as your knees will tolerate without pain.

You can follow along with Eitan Kramer’s entire Animal Core workout by checking out the full video at DailyBurn.

Comments