Ditch Traditional Gyms for Outdoor Training

by Sangeeta Rane | Workouts

Ditch Traditional Gyms for Outdoor Training

We all know the benefits of exercise; it is extremely helpful for mental and physical well-being. With a shift in the working style, fitness is gaining increased importance and indoor fitness centers are growing around the world with pricey monthly memberships and loud music.

What if we tell you that by simply changing the location of your workout, the benefits will increase exponentially? Outdoor exercise, also known as ‘green exercise’ is a perfect combination of moving your body and getting outdoors. The results that you achieve with green exercise are extraordinary. If you want to save money, enhance your mood and avoid loud terrible music, then, search no further and step out in the open. Here is a list of benefits that you gain out of sweating with Mother Earth.

 

 

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Improved Mood and Reduced Depression

Exercising outdoors gives us a mental health boost, which is something that is beyond the capacity of indoor fitness centers. According to a study, spending time outdoors reduces anger and depression; enhances positivity and improves mood. Exposure to sunlight enhances the production of vitamin-D which possibly acts as a mood enhancer (Kerr et al., 2015). Activities that require a lot of hard work are not necessary to avail of these benefits; low-intensity workouts also help revitalize the body.

 

Enhanced Self-Esteem

According to research, spending even five minutes outdoors impacts the way you feel about yourself. All outdoor locations work, but locations with a lot of greenery and water are best suited.

Fascinatingly, low to moderate intensity outdoor workouts reflect better in improving self-esteem as compared to high-intensity workouts. Activities such as cycling, trekking, walking, jogging provide a boost to your self-esteem.

 

Accessibility

The major problem that acts as a barrier between you and exercise is the lack of time. Fitness centers are in the city—you have to drive through traffic, find a parking spot and wait for your turn because they’re almost always crowded. Outdoor workouts make life easier for you, you just need to walk to the nearest park or a local hill.

 

 

 

 

Connect with Mother Earth

The best part about working out in the outdoors is the connection that you have with mother Earth. The greenery, birds chirping around with the sky in different shades every single day. Riding a bike in the open, jogging or bonding with friends over bouldering helps you socialize and appreciate the beauty of nature around you.

 

Treadmill VS Running

We all are aware of the ill-effects of working out with machines. When we workout indoors, the equipment is a major reason for prolonged back pain, muscle cramps, knee pain and so on. The all-time favorite treadmill is a major cause of knee pain which later results in the replacement of the knee; scary, right? So, what should be done to escape this? Take a brisk walk outside or run will in the open fields. This will not only help you to stay fit but will also make your knees and ankles better.

 

Don’t let the idea of working outdoors scare you. If you have been working indoors, you should give outdoors a try, and we are sure that you’ll never want to work out in a controlled environment after that! If you’re new to exercising or starting it again after a break, do short sessions with light intensity. Get out and get going! 

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