I have a confession. When I lived in New York City, I was a gym-a-holic. This is a more serious distinction than being a gym rat. A gym-a-holic spends most of her time working out at an indoor fitness center. Ask her to go away for a hiking weekend, and she will worry about missing her Saturday 8AM aerobic class.

I was cured of this affliction when I was introduced to the great outdoors. Much to my dismay, I discovered that while I might look good in ski clothes, hiking shorts or rafting gear, my indoor fitness routine did little to enhance my outdoor skills.

So what was lacking? Spontaneity! How do you react to a sudden change in terrain on a hiking trail or a ski slope? What do you do when you encounter unexpected rapids on a white water trip? Do you have the spontaneity, or as we fitness experts call it, agility to respond appropriately? The elliptical machine, as well as the leg extension machine and other traditional forms of exercise equipment are predictable in their movements. However Mother Nature is fond of surprising her daughters. She builds their character by presenting them with changes.

Balance challenges are another form of these changes. Suppose that you are hiking along a trail, and you suddenly come across a stream. The only way to cross this stream is by stepping over a series of rocks. “No problem!” you say. “I’ve been practicing the Yoga Tree Pose for years. Uh oh! We have a problem! The tree pose is a static exercise. Crossing a stream involves dynamic balance, or balance in motion.

Does this mean that you need to give up your gym workouts? No way! However, there are ways to make your workout “outdoor friendly.” Here are just a few:

• Use Balance Training Equipment: Many weight-training exercises can be performed on the ball, bosu or balance board.
• Go to the Playground: Hopscotch and other park games can enhance balance and agility.
• Play with a Kid or a Puppy: If you don’t have either of these, borrow from a friend. Nothing is more effective in increasing speed in reaction time!

A gym-a-holic trains her muscles to look good while lying on the beach. An adventurous wench trains her muscles for action, and ends up looking pretty darn good in the process. Which are you?

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This is a first post from a new guest blogger, Lisa Mercer. Lisa is a fitness expert who lives in Colorado, and she’ll be contributing articles and and then. If you’re thinking of a women’s adventure trip, check out her tips!