We've all heard of fitness clubs but today I worked out with a fitness stick. A long bamboo stick to be exact.

For the last few months I've been going to an outdoor boot camp type exercise program at the park near my house. I hate the gym, I hate the florescent lights,  I hate watching people watch TVs while they work out on machines. There is something that seems so wrong about using electricity to work out.

I'd much rather watch the wind blow leaves around and the sun come up through the trees. Abdominals aren't nearly so awful when you can watch a cloud move overhead. Besides the aforementioned bamboo stick, our imaginative trainer, James, keeps it fresh every day by using the equipment available at the park and whatever weights or equipment he can pack in his bike bag - because he commutes to work by pedal power.  It's all very low-tech but very effective and I feel good about doing something for myself that isn't using energy. It's a "green, low carbon footprint" workout!  (It's kind of like using GladRags - you can almost be a little self-righteous about it.)

If you are in Portland, check it out at Portland Outdoor Fitness, or email James at [email protected].

--Brenda