Image via Pexels

The trees have their leaves, the weather’s finally brighter and warmer, and summer is finally here. If you’re anything like us that means you’re shaking off the cobwebs and getting outside. But who wants to spend summer in the Gym? Instead, we’ve come up with a few inspired ways to explore the world, and keep fit along with some of the gear that you can pick up at any InMotion store to make it happen.

Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah

Rugged trails and out of this world views.

(Image courtesy of singletracks.com)

The 9.6 mile-long Slickrock Bike Trail in Moab, Utah is the crown jewel of this American mecca of mountain biking. But it’s far from the only attraction in town, Moab is home to a pair of world-famous national parks and offers endless outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and exploring its sweeping red rock vistas on anything from your feet to a horse to an ATV, but those seeking self-improvement would do well to opt for two wheels instead of four. Biking is aerobic exercise which raises the heart rate and works key muscle groups to burn fat quickly. It also tends to produce less wear and tear on the body than simply running, blister-prone feet rejoice!

Flying your own bike out to Utah might cause a bit more pain in your wallet than you bargained for, so why not rent one on site? Poison Spider Bicycles has been renting hi-end mountain bikes to Moab tourists of all experience levels since 1991, along with operating a shuttle service to get you to your trail, showers to clean off the dust and grime after a full day in the saddle, and, most importantly, local knowledge to make your get the most out of your trip.

If you’re anything like us you may want to leave the more treacherous trails and give some of the more leisurely ones a try, maybe cruise along listening to your current jam. Let’s face it though, wired earphones on a bike are the worst, one wrong move disconnects them and leaves you with no tunes and uncomfortable hunks of plastic in your ear. If you’re looking to upgrade your in-ear audio experience ahead of getting your bike out of the garage we recommend the Jabra Elite 65t.

Jabra 65t Earphones (Image courtesy of The Verge)

The 65t is a wireless bluetooth earphone and is great for anyone active and on the go. The earbuds are dust and waterproof, which is a big plus for anyone looking to make use of them outdoors. Jabra highly touts the clarity of voice the 65t provides, a must have for hands-free calling, along with its one touch access to Siri, Alexa, and Google Now.

Hiking Around Mont Blanc in France, Italy, and Switzerland

High times at the highest point in Europe.

(Image courtesy of National Geographic)

If two wheels doesn’t do it for you, then why not skip the wheels entirely and go for a hike? Hiking, or really any kind of walking is a simple way to burn a few calories and immerse yourself in your surroundings, and it’s hard to imagine more breathtaking surroundings than the highest point in Europe; Mont Blanc.

This 100 mile-odd hike will send you across three countries and can take anywhere from three days to over ten. The well-worn trail comes lined with huts, so you won’t need to destroy your back carrying a tent. It’s easy to imagine a leisurely two weeks spent strolling through picturesque alpine meadows and immersing yourself in the local culture (think all those crazy landscape shots from Sound of Music, but minus the Nazis and singing kids,) but those seeking to get in shape should be forewarned that all that local wine and cheese plays hell with your beach body.

On the other hand, those looking to lean into the obvious foodie-elements of this trip may want to investigate Ristorante La Terrazza in Courmayeur, roughly the halfway point of your long walk. This local eatery is known for rich crepes and ample portions, so maybe consider splurging a bit while you’re in town.

Cemetary Tours in New Orleans, Louisiana

Hunting for ghosts in the Big Easy.

(Image courtesy of Atlas Obscura)

There’s still walking options for people that don’t necessarily equate “outside” with “nature.” On foot is the best way to take in just about any kind of sights whether they be natural or urban. Parks and other municipal green spaces are your friends here, including, for the slightly more goth among us, cemeteries.

It may sound macabre, but most public cemeteries are green, well maintained, bleakley beautiful, and ringed by miles of asphalt walking paths, they even have little sculpture gardens for you to walk through! Which would be really charming if not for all the dead people.

Enter the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, where the city’s shallow water table meant burying the dead was next to impossible. This means cemeteries in New Orleans are unlike anywhere else in the world, with massive mausoleums that could be called works of art in their own right. Those looking for history and fame will find it in equal measure as one can view the supposed tomb of New Orleans’ famous “voodoo queen” Marie Laveau and the future tomb of Hollywood star Nic Cage in the very same graveyard; St. Louis Cemetery Number 1.

As far as other attractions go you’re practically spoiled for choice, even if you just stay in the French Quarter. Why not just get all the local culture out of the way in one go? Take in live jazz, local food and alcohol, and Southern hospitality at the Crescent City Brewhouse. Walk and eat your way across New Orleans and decide for yourself is Louisiana really is the “land of good cookin.”

Of course if you’re going to be beating feet all over town you’ll end up losing some things, especially some smaller things. Earphone tips are a repeat offender in this category, as those little silicone doughnuts can go flying off their plastic mounts at any moment and into another dimension. InMotion has you covered, we sell replacement tips in several different brands and models but we recommend either the Comply Sport Pro Universal or the Comply Truly Wireless Pro performance earbud tips. Investing in a few packs of spares may end up paying off several times over as you go through pairs of earbuds and lose more tips.

Surfing in Ocean City, New Jersey

(Image via Pexels)

Hawaii and California are of course the well-known twin epicenters of American surf culture. However, those looking to hang ten, whether on a budget or just more locally, shouldn’t neglect the quality surf, chilly north Atlantic waters, and classic Boardwalk atmosphere of the New Jersey coastline. Once low tide rolls around you would be well advised to investigate what all the Boardwalk fuss is about. Get yourself a frozen treat at local haunt Aunt Betty’s Ice Cream Shack, take the ferris wheel for a spin, and try your hand at some classic carnival games while you wait for the tide to come back in.

(Image via Pinterest)

Kayaking in the Galapagos Islands

(Image via Pexels)

We’ve saved the most “out-there” for last! Few experiences can compare to witnessing one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth in much the same undisturbed state Charles Darwin found it in almost 200 years ago, but who wants to see it from the deck of a cruise ship parked all the way offshore? Instead why not get an up close and personal look at penguins, iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions and get a killer arm workout to boot? Kayaking permits don’t come cheap, but last for 11 days. You’ll certainly have no lack of stories to tell after this kind of vacation.

Those lacking the means for both a Galapagos vacation and a proper kayaking permit may find local rentals more reasonably-priced, as kayaking and other aquatic tours are a thriving cabinet industry on the islands. Paddle to the Penguins runs guided two-hour tours at the far more reasonable rate of $30 a session, and considering how wild much of the Galapagos still is you may be glad to have a guide with you in the event some Sea Lion gets a little too friendly with the underside of your kayak.

Fitness can seem like an impossible task to the uninitiated but the most important thing is to make it fun. Going to the gym can seem like a job, so get outside and enjoy an outdoor adventure! Traveling to any of these spots or other active places? Stop by an InMotion store while you wait for your flight to your next adventure!

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