The great outdoors can be an easy way to walk through nature. The beauty of the outdoors aside, let’s look into 7 reasons to take your workout outside this week and some easy exercises to perform to get you started.
Being outside is healing and feels great on the mind and body. When it comes to a workout, most people prefer indoors, in the gym, with machines and while that is ok, the outdoors can be a free and effective option to exercise. Regardless of your fitness goals, there can be something for everyone by taking your workout outside.
Let’s look more into how the great outdoors can be a great option for anyone looking to change the scenery while the weather allows.
Benefits of Being Outdoors
It should be no surprise that being outdoors can do wonders for the mind. We spend so much time inside, under artificial light, and in front of a computer or phone that sometimes the mind can benefit from the change in scenery. Let’s navigate some of the general benefits of being outside.
- Promotes physical well-being. Getting outside already has that element of easing the mind, but it is reported that being outdoors can help physical wellness.
- Fights stress levels. Perhaps the biggest draw to being outside is how it can help to combat stress and anxiety levels. Especially if work stress is taking a toll on the mind, trekking outside may be what the mind needs.
- Improved health. Finding holistic ways to protect health can have long-term effects that last. Studies show being outdoors can help to improve blood pressure levels and decrease type 2 diabetes.
What Exercises are Ideal for Outdoors?
While you don’t need a ton of equipment (or any for that matter), sometimes it can be beneficial to bring a kettlebell or a general set of dumbbells to complete your workout. Otherwise, stick to bodyweight workouts to get your pump. Here are some exercise options to consider outdoors.
- Circuits. Everything about outdoor exercise screams circuit training or boot camps. The reason these are so appealing is because you can add in many functional exercises with the endless space.
- HIIT. Quite similar to performing circuits outdoors, HIIT is a great option due to the space. You can utilize equipment outdoors, but also pull-up bars, sprinting, and even sand work (if you are coastal of course).
- Bodyweight exercises. The use of bodyweight exercises can help to build muscle. Without using any equipment, consider following a complete bodyweight routine that includes push-ups, squats, sprints, lunges, and dips.
7 Reasons To Take Your Workout Outside This Week
With a little background on what types of exercises you can perform, working out outdoors can be a very positive experience. Listen below are seven reasons to take your workout outside this week so that you can have a little fun hitting your goals.
- Natural Feel. When we exercise indoors sometimes it can feel quite artificial. Taking your workout outdoors can help to make your exercise feel like it is more natural, and may even help you to push it a little harder.
- Supports Mood. Perhaps one of the best reasons to get outside to work out is for the potential boost in mental health. While exercise already supports mental health and mood, being outdoors adds to this benefit, which can have a drastic effect when you are feeling down.
- Enhanced Calorie Burn. Regardless of the temperature or humidity levels, taking your exercise outside can help to enhance calorie burn (just be mindful to hydrate if it is hot and humid). Especially for people who are looking to lose weight, taking your workout outside can increase your sweating, cause your workouts to be a little bit harder, and encourage more calories to be burned.
- Change of Scenery. Summertime boredom in your workout is a common phenomenon for many people. During the warmer months of the year, people tend to be on vacation, traveling to family and friends, or just taking it easy. This is a perfect reason to mix up your workout and take it outdoors, as the changing scenery and how to motivate push you to do a little bit more.
- Functional Training. Benny of the workouts and exercises in the gym are geared at improving some part of body appearance. However, exercise outdoors makes your workout more functional, which trains the body in a completely different way. Studies have shown that functional training can help to promote strength, flexibility, and endurance among athletes.
- Supports Natural Recovery. Taking your workout outdoors helps to deliver natural vitamin D to the body. The body naturally synthesizes vitamin D using sunlight. Because of this, your circadian rhythm may be at its best, which could help you to sleep better at night.
- Vitamin D Synthesis. The sun plays a valuable role in helping the body to synthesize vitamin D. This vitamin serves the role of an antioxidant and allows for bone health, immune support, and for hormone production. Taking your workout to the park or anywhere outdoors can help to expose the body to much needed natural vitamin D, just be cautious in getting too much sun exposure if possible.
Equipment to Bring for Outdoor Workouts
While you technically won’t need any equipment, you can bring some along, as described above. Consider using equipment you may find at any park such as a park bench, swing set (for pullups), or sand to make the best use of your time. Also, any open field of park will allow for a full arsenal of equipment such as stability balls, kettlebell, boxes (for box jump), and cones for agility work.
Final Words
Following the suggested 7 reasons to take your workout outside this week can bring new and added enjoyment to any workout. If you have felt your exercises getting stagnant, consider the outdoors as your alternative option to reaching your goals this week.
While you will not need much (if any) equipment, taking dumbbells, kettlebells, agility tools, or a box jump can help to streamline any workout into HIIT or a circuit. Also, if your gym allows, consider taking your exercise outside the building for a fresh air experience.
