Are you tired of the same old routine at the gym? Do you find yourself daydreaming about fresh air and sunshine while you’re on the treadmill? It might be time to switch up your workout routine and head outside. Here are some of the top benefits of outdoor workouts:
Boost Your Mood and Reduce Stress
Spending time in nature has been shown to have a positive impact on mood and mental health. The fresh air, sunlight, and natural scenery can help reduce stress and anxiety, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that just five minutes of outdoor exercise can improve self-esteem and mood. [1]
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who exercised outdoors experienced greater feelings of revitalization, positive engagement, and energy compared to those who exercised indoors. [2]
Burn More Calories and Build More Muscle
Outdoor workouts can be more challenging than indoor workouts, which can lead to greater calorie burn and muscle building. The uneven terrain, wind resistance, and natural obstacles can provide a more intense and varied workout than a typical gym routine.
A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that outdoor running required greater energy expenditure and resulted in greater muscle activation compared to treadmill running. [3]
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that outdoor circuit training was more effective at improving cardiovascular fitness and body composition compared to indoor circuit training. [4]
Connect with Nature
When you exercise outside, you get to enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings. It’s a chance to connect with nature and experience the world in a different way.
A study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement compared to exercising in built environments. [5]
Dam Strong Outdoor Gym
So, what are you waiting for? Ditch the gym and head outside for your next workout. Not only will you experience a mood boost, burn more calories, and connect with nature, but you’ll also get to enjoy a more challenging and varied workout. Whether it’s a hike in the mountains, a beach workout, or a park run, the options are endless. So grab your workout gear and head outside for a workout that will leave you feeling energized and refreshed. Join Dam Strong and be coached outside.
Book your no sweat intro now so we can start helping you, our small group classes are really good, check them out too.
[1] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es903183r [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494410000343 [3] https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2011/01000/Physiological_Comparison_of_Outdoor_and_Treadmill.2.aspx
[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8044832/
[5] https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-015-0235-5