The days are getting longer, and it gets light earlier. Now is the time to make use of your local park.

I have more and more clients who want to workout in their local park. Being based in Barnet, there are lots around. The closest to me is Victoria Park, but I'm also using Friary Park in North Finchley, Sunny Hill Park, in Hendon, Hendon Park, Mill Hill Park in Wise Lane, Oakhill Park in East Barnet, and even Arnos Park in Enfield.

All of those parks have their own local attractions, and allow to workout in different ways.

Using the benches, or the bins as starting and stopping points for intervals is an easy way to workout. It can be walking or running at different speeds in between bins or benches, or it can be perform a specific exercise while walking from one bin or bench to the other.

If running from one bench to another seem easy, why not try doing walking lunges between both. Suddenly the distance between both becomes really long ;-)

And that's not the end yet for benches. Benches can be used for stretches, but can also be used to perform incline push-ups, step ups, and many more exercises.

Trees are another great exercise tool. Be it to keep your balance, stretch against it, or use it as an anchor for elastic bands, or the new exercise tool, the TRX trainer.

But then you will find some skate boarding areas, tennis courts, kids playing grounds, and in Oakhill Park you will also find some proper hydraulic fitness equipment such as a leg press machine, a space walker, a chest press, and more.

Working out in the open air will give you lots more benefits than working out inside. It enhances your mood much quicker. It's even recommended by doctors for people with mental illnesses as very beneficial.

In May 2010 a new research by Dr Jo Barton found that exercising in the open air for just five minutes leads to an immediate improvement in mood and self-esteem.

So do grasps those longer evenings or lighter mornings, especially when it's not raining and the sun is out. Even if it's a little chilly still, just put an extra layer on. The benefits are worth it.

Use your local parks to workout. For a list of parks and open spaces in Barnet, click here <== click here for local Barnet parks

If you need inspiration on what workout you can do in the park, remember to contact me, Anne Iarchy, Personal Trainer North and North West London, on 07880627944 or email me at anne@barnetpersonaltrainer.co.uk