Try a Pumpkin Patch Bootcamp Workout for Fall Cardio

By Carmen Staicer - Chief Mom at DietsInReview.com

In many parts of the country it's finally cooling off and that means it's time for one of the most enjoyable and traditional activities of the season - a visit to the pumpkin patch! While those trips can involve a lot of candy corn, pumpkin-flavored treats, and hot, sweetened beverages, they can also be the perfect environment for a serious workout.

This year turn your visit in to an even more active adventure by organizing a pumpkin patch bootcamp. You'll have fun and get in a cardio workout while enjoying the pumpkin patch!

It's also the perfect way to shake up your usual girls-day-out.

Try these exercise recommendations and be sure to share with us any of your own.

• Perform a kettlebell swing with a mid-sized pumpkin. Be sure to hold the pumpkin by a thicker stem with a good grip.

• Build an obstacle course using pumpkins, hay bales, and fence rails. Run through the pumpkins, jump over the hay bales and crawl under the fence.

• Do heavy pumpkin shoulder carries. Hoist the pumpkin on to your shoulder and run to the end of a field. Return and repeat trying to better your time each try.

• Do medicine ball ab twists with a pumpkin. Choose a lighter pumpkin and sit on the ground. Lift your feet and balance on your bottom, then twist from side to side while holding the pumpkin.

• Try push-ups with pumpkins. Using the same small pumpkin, place your hands in a push-up position on the outside edges of the gourd and perform as many push-ups as you can. Rest for a moment, and then repeat for two more sets.

• Do step-ups with a hay bale. This will work your calves, quads, and buttocks. Do as many as you can for one minute, rest one minute, then repeat for a second set.

• Use a medium-weight pumpkin as a medicine ball for chest passes. You'll need a partner who can catch and throw without getting hurt. Then toss the pumpkin from the center of your chest, catch, and repeat.

• Don't skip the sack races! This is just good fun that keeps your heart rate up.