Late spring is a great time to get outside and enjoy sunshine and warmth. The heat and humidity of summer will kick in before you know it. We have some great places to get outside in the Lexington area. If you need inspiration, here are a few places you can go to walk or bike while enjoying the fresh air:

• Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens

• Saluda Shoals Park (walking and biking trails)

• Lake Murray Dam Walkway

• Harbison State Park (walking and biking trails)

• River Bluff High School (there’s a nice walking trail around the perimeter of the grounds available after school hours)

• Cayce and West Columbia River Walk Park

• Your neighborhood. Take your dogs with you. Getting outside to exercise has scientifically proven benefits. One research study showed that exercising outdoors “was associated with greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy and positive engagement, together with decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression.” Try taking it up a notch and walk interval-style. This involves walking very briskly then walking moderately. Depending on your level of fitness, you may want to start with a 60/30 second ratio of walking briskly/ moderately. You can progressively make it more challenging by increasing the time you walk briskly and decreasing the time you walk moderately. Just get outside and get moving!