Rev Up Workouts

Live by the beach or going on vacation? Work out by the water. Walking or running in the sand burns up to 50 percent more calories.

If you’re lucky enough to live near the beach, or are going on vacation to an ocean-side resort, start each day with a walk or run along the water. Running or walking at the beach is a great way to burn extra calories. The soft, uneven surface of the sand makes each stride tougher, which means you’ll burn more calories. Research shows that compared to walking on a firm, even surface, working out in the sand builds better leg and hip strength. Just remember to load up on the sweat-proof sunscreen. Even if you’re landlocked, you can still boost your burn by walking or running on other soft surfaces like gravel, grass, dirt or even snow.