Staying fit and healthy should be an essential part of everybody’s routine to lead a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is one of the most important components of an exercise program, and making the right choice can mean the difference between achieving the fitness goals and not. One of the most optimal choices an individual can make is to take the concept of exercise to the next level by ditching the gym in favor of outdoor workouts.
At least once in life, everyone has wished to escape the hustle and bustle of the city life. What better escape than outdoor workouts? With ample outdoor activities, outdoor exercise can become an important part of an individual’s fitness program, plus it offers plenty of benefits.
Benefits of Outdoor Exercise
There are plenty of advantages when it comes to outdoor workouts, from its natural experience to the mental and physical health benefits. Read on to find out just why outdoor exercise is a great alternative for getting your dose of exercise each day.
- Fresh air and natural scenery
One of the major advantages of outdoor workouts is the natural environment offered. Going outdoors to a park or beach can help create a positive experience for any workout. The fresh air combined with natural surroundings such as forests, oceans, and rivers are a beautiful backdrop for an exercise session.
Scenery offers a distraction from the pain of the actual workout, and the natural environment can lift your mood and help improve motivation. Outdoor workouts provide an escape from the enclosed and noisy environment of a gym, and can restore the zest of life.
- Vitamin D and sun exposure
Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins needed to live a healthy life, and many people do not get enough Vitamin D due to limited sun exposure. Exercise, when combined with the necessary sun exposure, can be an optimal way to get Vitamin D. Sun exposure is even more important in winter and late fall when most of the days are cloudy.
On the contrary to what many people think, only a few minutes of sun exposure are enough to get necessary Vitamin D, and outdoor workouts are the optimal way to do so.
- Better overall results
Results can be better achieved with outdoor workouts compared to indoor workouts. Being outdoors is a more challenging environment for exercising than indoors. The natural elements give more resistance and one’s workout routine can be modified due to terrain, temperature, light, and other conditions. However, it is important to know one’s body in order to engage in outdoor workouts safely.
When it comes to efficacy, one of the major benefits of outdoor workouts is its ability to burn more calories. It has been proven that outdoor workouts make an individual burn more fat and calories than most indoor workouts. Results are further improved due to the natural interruption of the environment that keeps one constantly in a “challenge-mode”, either uphill or downhill.
- Social activities
Outdoor workouts can be more socially engaging compared to indoor activities. Jogging or running around the block can become a social event as you will come across friends or family members while exercising. Outdoor sports also invite more connection with people whether it’s adding members to your team or competition.
People can also benefit from group functions of outdoor workouts such as group cycling, boot camps, yoga classes, and more. The more socially engaging environment can help boost motivation and give the extra push needed to reach the fitness goals.
- Cost savings
Outdoor workouts are also more cost-effective than indoor workouts. This means no more bills for gym memberships or personal trainers. Most outdoor activities such as bike rides, running, swimming, or yoga do not require any equipment apart from the most basic attire, thus the cost factor is eliminated from the equation.
Furthermore, outdoor activities may even cost less in terms of transportation, instead of having to pay for transportation to reach a gym. The savings add up over time which can be used for more healthy investments for the body.
- Increased productivity and mental health
Outdoor workouts can also be beneficial mentally. From helping one to naturally relax to reducing stress, boosting energy and boosting concentration, the possibilities are endless. Specifically, the benefit of increased productivity can be seen from a study conducted by the Interaction Decision Institute which showed that people spent more than 24% more time completing tasks after exercising outdoors than exercising indoors.
In addition to this, it has been proven that outdoor exercise significantly reduces the risk of depression. Moreover, the sun exposure helps regulate hormones and improve the quality of sleep.
Outdoor workouts are a great way to exercise and get the health benefits. From detoxifying the body to burning calories and getting the daily dose of Vitamin D and the mental health benefits. Therefore, it can be said that coming in contact with nature’s overabundance of electrons, essential oils, and aromas can really go a long way in helping people feel good and exercise right.
