The Benefits of an outdoor workout...

Whilst there are obvious practical benefits to training indoors, exercising outdoors can have many advantages – and not just the beautiful scenery!

Varied exercise outside means you’re more likely to work your body in new and different ways. Additional stresses and strains will bring some ace improvements, sending signals to the brain cells telling them to build additional strength in our muscles. So strap on your running shoes as it’s time to take it outside…

Research Proves these Top Five Benefits To Outdoor Exercise:

1. Sunshine: Vitamin D we get from exposure to the sun has awesome benefits (when you do it in moderation). It’s a common treatment for depression and other mood disorders. Unsurprising really when you think about how fabulous you feel when you step into sun. Endorphins (which lift your mood) are released by the body when you get some sun.

2. Mental Stimulation: You need to get outside for mental stimulation, that indoor exercise just doesn’t seem to give. Staring at the same 4 walls of your house or gym can be pretty dull, so take it outside for some brain stimulation and give your mind a workout too!

3. Psychological Benefits: An increasing amount of research shows outdoor activity is great for the mind. Exercising amongst trees and wildlife can give you a healthy mood boost and can help to combat anxiety and stress? Bonus points if you take your shoes off to feel the grass on your feet.

4. New Exercises: Despite claims that machines are a great simulation of the real thing, using a treadmill day in and day out will use the same muscles. Step outside for different inclines and street camber to switch on those muscles you never thought you had!

5. More varied workout: Outside you’ll find different terrain that can’t properly be simulated in the studio. You hit hills and different surfaces (mud, concrete, gravel, etc.) and flex limbs in different ways to handle it. Isn’t that more fun than the cross trainer with a TV?!

Gym-haters rejoice!!! Outdoor workouts are the way forward...

You burn more calories when you exercise outside

Resistance from the wind when running or cycling outdoors means you often burn more calories than if you were indoors and slopes and uneven surfaces make your body work harder as it has to respond to the unknown. So basically, doing nothing different but taking your workout outside makes it a lot more effective.

Outdoor workouts are awesome for your mood

Numerous pieces of research show a clear connection between spending time outdoors and a reduction in stress. Plus, fresh air and increased oxygen helps release the feel-good brain chemical, serotonin – meaning your outdoor training sessions not only help keep you fit and healthy, they put you in a fantastic mood too.

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