Even though road trips offer you a break from the monotony of your office, the stiffness in your muscles and joints that comes from sitting in one position for too long can follow you onto the road if you’re not careful. Whether in front of a laptop or behind the wheel, taking the opportunity to stretch and exercise on your summer road trip is a great way to prevent the soreness from following you back to the office. Here are a few stretches to keep in mind for the next rest stop. FOR THE NECK Reach your left arm over the top of your head and touch your right ear. Then, gently pull your head to the left and hold it there for 15 seconds. Repeat this process with your right arm. FOR THE CHEST Stand in front of a door frame with one hand pressed on either side and your elbows at 90-degree angles, then lean forward. This will cause your chest muscles to open up. Hold this position for 15 seconds. You can do a similar stretch by bending downward while keeping your hands on your car door in front of you, stretching your entire upper body. FOR THE HIPS While you’re driving, a good way to prevent sore hips is by making sure your knees are slightly elevated above them in your seat. Once DIVING INTO SUMMER LIMBERING UP For Your Next Road Trip
you have the opportunity to stop, try doing some hip flexors. Kneel on one knee, slowly push your pelvis forward, squeeze your shoulders back, and open your chest. Hold this position for 15 seconds, then repeat while kneeling on the other knee. FOR THE LEGS To stretch out your hamstrings, place your right heel on a small step. Extend your arms upward, and then lean your upper body forward. You’ll feel a pull in the back of your upper leg. Once you’ve done this for about 15–30 seconds, repeat the process with your left heel. The road may be long, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel it in your muscles. If you stop every couple of hours and take some time to limber up, your body will thank you.
Snowmelt is still pouring into Colorado’s rivers and lakes, and there’s nothing more enticing on a hot summer day than the thought of diving into it. Goosebumps aside, spending time in the water can be a great way to bond with your family or spend a day with friends. Trying a new water sport is guaranteed to turn a few hours of relaxation into an adventure. If you’re feeling intrepid, give one of these Colorado favorites a try. The popularity of stand-up paddleboarding, also known as SUP, is booming in the Centennial State, and it’s one of Dr. Scott Lowry’s favorite activities on the water. Apart from the fun of gliding across a lake or downstream, SUP is a full-body workout that really fires up your core. Take a day trip to Big Soda Lake Reservoir, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park, Grand Lake, Horsetooth Reservoir, Lake Dillon, Lake San PADDLEBOARDING
Cristobal, Union Reservoir, or Vallecito Lake with rented boards to give it a try.
KAYAKING
More than a dozen rivers have their headwaters in Colorado, making our state a destination for kayakers and others seeking choice rapids. Luckily for first-timers, peak whitewater season ends in June, leaving the months of July and August with more mellow flows ideal for beginning kayakers. Near Greeley, Yelp reviewers love booking with Rocky Mountain Adventures and Mountain Whitewater for kayaking trips, but flying solo on a calm pond or lake with a rented craft is another solid option.
group foray down one of the state’s many rivers (the Arkansas, Colorado, and Animas rivers are popular), be sure to shell out for a professional guide, particularly if you’re a newbie to whitewater. A Wanderlust Adventure and A1 Wildwater Rafting are favorites for guided trips, and nearly every outlet that offers kayaking gives guests a raft option, too.
WHITEWATER RAFTING
The same whitewater that lures kayakers also attracts whitewater rafters who brave the rapids in inflatable, open-topped boats. If you decide to spend a day on a
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